The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1939-11-23
Guantanamo is
U. S. w atchdog
Controls Lane That Links
North Atlantic and
Caribbean Traffic.

WASHINGTON.-A sudden order
recently for the American subma-
rine Spearfish to abandon her South
American shakedown cruise and
proceed to Guantanamo, Cuba, calls
attention to one Of Uncle Sans most
strategically located naval bases.
1t lies on the south coast Of Cuba
only rs miles from the islands east
ern tip.
MANY tourists familiar with Ha-
vana's gay night life and Santiago's
long history have heard little OF
Guantanamo" points out the Ma
tional Geographic society. For
sightseeing lures in this part Of the
island are scarce, and civilian visits
to the station itself are forbidden
except by special permission.
ITO the United States navy, how
ever, the Guantanamo base is es-
pecially significant. Situated on the
south shore of the far eastern end
of Cuba, it controls the vital sea
lane between Cuba and Haiti which
links North Atlantic and Caribbean
traffic.
Convenient for Navy.
''In case of emergency, ships of
some European countries must trav-
ell for days to reach these waters.
United States vessels are not only
within easy access Of base supplies
but also have the advantage Of
familiarity with the area, due to an
nual target-practice maneuvers
Whereabouts. Guantanamo is, in
fact, a sort Of winter home for
considerable part Of the U. S. navy
that is in the Atlantic.
Guantanamo bay, the entrance
to which is commanded on both
sides by the naval station, is one
of the best harbors in the West In
dies. Extending IL miles inland, it
is wide enough to shelter the entire
American feet. At the same time
it's entrance is narrowed by spit
of land which, together with sur
rounding hills, helps afford protec-
ton against both storms and enemy
attack.
"Once retreat for pirates, who
used its protective shelter as hide
out from which to pounce on ship
ping to the nearby port of Santiago.
this harbor was also an English op-
Grating base against Spanish Santi-
ago around the middle of the Eight
zenith century. The British COM
manding officer at that time was
one Admiral Vernon, whose staff in
cluded Lawrence Washington, broth
er Of the man who was to become
the first President Of the United
States. Later, Lawrence Washing
ton named his estate on the Poto-
mac Mount Vernon after his for
mer superior, the name which stuck
even after George Washington took
over the property.
Rented From Cuba.
Guantanamo bay came into
American hands after the war Of
1898, when u. S. marines were land.
ed there for action against the
Spaniards. Setting up camp on a
nearby hill, they fought off Spanish
siege for several days, until re-
Inducements finally gave them con-
troll of the area.
I'm the early 1900s, land on both
sides of the bay was leased to the
United States by the Cuban govern
ment for the purpose Of establishing
the present naval base. Under the
jurisdiction of the American navy
department, this base is maintained
solely for the use Of the feet.
when the fleet is in, the normal
,ly sleepy little town comes suddenly
to life. Then the numerous baseball
fields, tennis and handbal courts,
and bride paths swarm with sailors
and officers. Club houses and cam
teens buzz with activity and at night
the open-air motion picture theater
is crowded with spectators"