Smyrna times., 1939-01-26
PUERTO RICO
ISLE OF CHARM
Picturesque Spanish Isle In
der American Flag Is
Odd Mixture
OPEN ANOTHER PARK

OF similar place names In Lne west
ern world when Puerto Rico recent
ly opened its Parque Colon, near
Aguadilla on the northwest coast of
the island.
Marking the site where Columbus
himself is believed to have stopped
in 1893, to replenish his failing
water supply, a simple cross (to be
replaced later by a more imposing
monument calls attention to the
fact that Puerto Rico is the only
U. S. territory which can lay claim
to having sheltered the great ex-
plorer.
From the standpoint Of historic
association and scenic beauty, ;"
points out the National Geographic
society, Puerto Rico has charm as
well as many more tangible attrac-
tions for the visitor.
Drowned Mountain Top.
"A fragment of a drowned noun
tain chain, that may once have been
part of the South American main
land, the island has been called
the Switzerland Of the West In
dies. Nearly 1000 feet up. at the
summit Of its highest peaks, one
may see both the Atlantic ocean
and the Caribbean sea, with a hint
Of the Virgin islands to the east.
Good motor roads wind easily over
the hills, along which travellers look
down on a semi-jungle panorama
Of wild breadfruit and mango trees,
Of palms and West Indian cotton
woods, Of matched huts in little
clearings, pineapple plantations,
fields Of grazing herds, and smok-
ing sugar mills that stretch brick
fingers to the sky.
In Puerto Rico nature splashes
color with a lavish hand. Rows Of
famboyant trees make scarlet
archway Of certain roads, white
blossoms of coffee plantations send
faint perfume on the tropic breeze,
and everywhere there is the lush
green Of rain-drenched forests.
Delicate orchids found in Puerto
Rican mountains delight the botan-
ist. For the adventurous there is
a challenge in the mountains un-
explored caves, almost concealed
by overhanging jungle growth. Sun
worshipers find Puerto Rico another
winter playground, Medicinal
springs at Coamo are praised by
health seekers as a Fountain Of
Youth, missed by Ponce de Leon.
Rather ironically, it was Ponce
de Leon who, in 1903. following the
discovery Of the island by Colum.
bus more than a decade before,
founded its first settlement near Sar
Juan. From there he later sailed
on a heart-breaking search for his
squandered youth.
San Juan Odd Mixture.
To-day, under the Stars anc
Stripes, Puerto Rico's capital at Sar
Juan is an odd mixture Of early
Spanish and late-American life.
"A walled city of the Con
quistadores, she still preserve;
many Of the old fortiications. There
is San Cristobal fort, with its ghos
stories, and Morro Castle, that re
sisted attack from English, Dutch
French, and American fleets, a:
well as from pirates and buc
cancers.
Under Fortaleza, built in 163!
and used since as the ruling COVER
nor's mansion, Spanish doubloon:
and other plunder were once stored
Ancient churches, before whose al
tars mailed soldiers of the Spanish
king once knelt, yet hear the
prayers of the faithful. Grilled win
dows, open plazas, and stiff Spanish
conventions and Spanish amuse
ments Gncluding the cockighD re
mind the visitor that it was only Al
years ago, at the close of the Span
ish-American war, that Puerto Rice
was ceded to the United States.
'Yet Yankee influence steadily
gains ground American jazz fill.
the air, and American automobiles
trucks and buses ride the streets.
"As a matter of bookkeeping
however. the record shows tha
Uncle Sam has paid well for hi:
place in Puerto Rico. Millions O.
American dollars have been spent II
sanitation, education, relief. anc
other public works for this lane
which has been harassed by many
natural and man-made problems.
For years the island had bac
reputation among economists. de
spite natural wealth. There are fal
too many people to support-nearly
100000 in an area only about 10(
miles long and 35 miles across. By
decreasing the death rate, the Unit
ed States has intensified the prob
lem Of feeding them.
ION the other hand, according tc