The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-01-09

but 1t has been rebuilt and finds 1t
position near the old city a valuabI
one because Of the many visitors VIII,
come there to find transportation OF
the last leg Of the journey to thu
ruins. Columbus Is said to have land
ed at the spot on which Carbet stand
when he touched Martinique on hi
fourth voyage in 1902; and there, too
the first French settlers disembarket
In 1885.
Industries and People.
Sailing alongside Martinique Will
give a most inadequate impression Oh
the island, for much to be seen along
the west coast, especially in the north
Is jungle; and the surf is so angry
on the east side that boat must keep
a respectful distance. To appreciate
the full charm Of the island one must
travel the superb roads in the con-
struction Of which in their colonies
the French seem to be the true heirs
Of ancient Rome. These excellent
highways traverse all parts Of the IL
land except in the immediate vicinity
Of Pelee. They are equally good up
the slopes of mountains, through the
deep tropical forests where they are
almost tunnels, threading valleys or
running between great fields Of sugar
cane.
Cane growing Is the greatest agri-
cultural industry, though the govern
ment subsidizes the planting Of COT
fee and cocoa trees to obtain q better
balance Of activities. Most Of the
great cane plantations are on the east
ern side of the island and among
them are huge sugar factories. But
sugar Is not the only product Of the
cane fields. There are many rum dis
tilleries, and in late years the value
of the rum output has exceeded that
of sugar.
The people of Martinique are large
ly of mixture of races, though there
are some thousands of residents Of
pure French stock. When the frst
French settlers arrived they found
Carib Indians on the island. As time
passed many Of these were deportsd
or e1terminated. Then negro slaves
were brought In. The negro and Carib
strains united and to this mixture
French blood was added. In some
parts of the island Asiatic blood has
entered this mixture. The racial med
ey seems to have produced a people
noted for physical beauty; and en-
husiastic artists seeing the Martini
luians for the first time have assert
ID that a cast made Of most any
maiden or youth or young man or
would serve without retouch-
ng as a masterful representation of |
Iebe or Juno, Adonis or Apollo.
Martinique has few colonial limita-
ions. 1t possesses government hard
Y distinguishable from that of an
integral department of France. 1t
ends a senator to the French senate
nd two deputies to the chamber Of
Equities. In local affairs the resi-
ent voters rule, and their freedom
as at times led to radicalism.
Fort de France 10 Pretty.
Fort de France, the capital and I'M
isputed metropolis Of the island, has
population about that of st. Pierre
t the time of its Observation-Disclosures
, 10000. 1t makes a pretty picture
nth Its red-tiled roofs backed by
reen hills. To one side stands the
ncient gray fort which has thun-
cred many time In the long strug-
les between France and Great Brit
in for control of the West Indies.
he great bay has been the rendezvous
,r huge fleets more than once, and Is
Ill the chief French naval station
the Antilles.
Quaint houses and streets, and a
,lorful market-a veritable micro
ISM Of Martinique-will interest
lie visitor. But to all who have a
red Of the romantic In their make
}, Fort de Frances interest lies not
Fort de France itself but In It's
to the little village of Trois
lets and the plantation of La
agerie a few miles across the bay.
nese are the spots most closely asso-
ated with that beautiful and lovable
ID pathetic figure that Martinique
We to the world, Empress Jose
line. An exquisite marble statute
Josephine stands In park in Fort
France, the face turned toward
'ois Islets.
Little boats take the visitor across '
e bay to the village which boasts '
E church in which Josephine was
ptised and a memorial tablet to her
other. Z
few miles away II the plantation, ,
Pagerie, where she was bern