The Coolidge examiner., 1934-01-05

ditions in Cuba are of interest
to the people of the United
States not only because the island
republic is a neighbor, but because
millions of dollars of American cap
ital are invested in Cuban COM
merce and Industries, and because
the island has become a popular
American playground.
Like a gayly attired Spanish Sc
norlta. Cuba charms the eye: and
the glamour of a lurid past, with its
pages of piratical plundering, pomp,
and high adventure with which it
is so romantically linked, quickens
interest from the moment 1t is
sighted on the horizon.
The island presents many con
trasts. Sea defenses of time-mel-
lowed rock are relentlessly attacked
by jealous waves; yet within these
stern barriers are green, rolling hills
dotted with royal palms. Luxurious
valleys bursting with verdure are
shadowed by towering mountains
where rock and jungle stand guard
in secondary defense against mans
onslaught. Even today, more than
one-third Of its area remains prime
val forest!
Summer days in Cuba's higher
attitudes are so hot it would seem
needless TO lug blankets, If noun
taineering is the hobby; yet the
nights are surprisingly cold.
II is an island of extreme wealth
and dire poverty; land of sugar,
tobacco, exotic fruits, and agricul-
ture; OF mining. oil drilling, and
business; of speeding airplanes, au-
tomobiles and plodding oxcarts; n
land of tiashing-eyed senoritas and
the soft, seductive perfume of the
tropics.
Cuba is often called ''the island
of hundred harbors." for it is lit
orally snaggle-toothed with inlets
and bays. These, together with its
many keys. offered ideal hiding
places supplied with fresh fruits
and water to those navigators who
knew their way about. while the
broad expanse of the harbors of
Havana, Santiago, Guantanamo and
Cienfuegos, accessible only through
narrow inlets, afforded the utmost
protection for the less brave.
Crossroads for Shipping.
Today, with modern wharves and
port equipment, vessels of any
length or draft can be easily han
died in several of the harbors, and
many of the others will accommo-
date ships of more than average
displacement.
OF the larger Latin-American re-
publics, the island is nearest to
Europe, and next to Mexico, near
est to the United States 1t is the
crossroads for shipping between
many ports of Europe or the United
States and Central or South Amer
lea.
If you could lift the island bodily
and lay it bodily on the United
States, with the easternmost point,
Cape Maisi. resting on New York
city, you would find that the other
tip, Cape San Antonio, would ex-
tend some miles beyond Chicago
or, If moved slightly to the north,
would rest exactly on Milwaukee
The width varies from % to 124
miles. The island supports a pop
ulation. including the Isle of Pines
OF nearly 100000 people.
This latter island, largest and
most important of many that dot
the Cuban coastline, lying to the
south of the western end of Cuba
was named for the many varieties
of pines that grow on it. It's chief
claim to fame, however, is its excel
lent climate, its fine marble quar-
ries and its mineral springs.
Here it was that the Welsh fire
brand, Sir Henry Morgan, and Cor
nelius (Pegleg) Jols came to assem-
BILE their men and harass the un-
happy residents of those days.
To most people Cuba of course
suggests sugar and tobacco. While
these two commodities are the chief
products, yet by no means unim-
pOrtant are the mining districts, oil
fields, asphalt deposits, and numer-
Gus other natural resources, includ-
ing a delightful climate
Sugar cane is grown throughout
the island, but the province of Cam
aguey leads in its production
with Oriente second.
While tobacco also may be grown
almost anywhere on the island
three-quarters of the total crop is
grown in Pinar del Rio province
Habana Province Is Rich.
Habana province, although the
smallest, is the richest and most in
dustrial portion of the island. 1t
has sugar mills, model dairy farms.
grows tobacco, oranges, pineapples,
and other fruits, and is rich in min