THE ISLE OF PINES
Although from the early days of Spanish conquest the Isle of Pines was
considered by Spain as an integral part of Cuba, as are Cayo Romano and
all other adjacent islands, in the treaty of Paris that concluded the
controversy in regard to Spain’s possessions in the West Indies the Isle
of Pines was referred to as a locality distinct in itself, and as
possibly not coming within the jurisdiction of Cuban territory.
A rule placed on any mariner’s chart of the West Indies, connecting in a
straight line Cabo Cruz, in the Province of Oriente, and Cape San
Antonio, the western extremity of Cuba, includes the Isle of Pines
within the limits of the seismic uplift which formed the Pearl of the
Antilles. More than all, during much of the geological history of the
region across the shallow sandy bed, covered now with only a few fathoms
of water, the Isle of Pines was connected by land with Cuba.
During the first government of American intervention, several ambitious
citizens of the United States bought large tracts of territory in the
Isle of Pines, whose owners considered them of so little value that they
parted with them at prices varying from 75¢ to $1.25 per acre. These
properties were immediately divided up into small farms, varying from
five to forty acres, and placed on the market in the United States. With
glowing descriptions of the country they were sold at prices gradually
increased from $15 to $50 and even $75 an acre.
In view of the beautiful printed matter so widely distributed, and the
values which fertile farming lands in the United States had acquired in
recent years, these prices apparently did not seem exorbitant,
especially to men of means, who during the greater part of their
experiences had fought out the struggle of life in the cold northwest.
Many Americans were thus induced to come and settle in the Isle of
Pines, with the hope, if not of amassing a fortune as pictured in the
alluring terms of the propaganda, at least of securing a competence for
their declining years.
More than all, the Isle of Pines was thoroughly advertised throughout
the American Union as belonging to the United States, whose emblem of
Liberty floated as an indication of ownership never to be lowered. This
matter of ownership was finally brought before the Congress of the
United States and through treaty with the Republic of Cuba, afterwards
confirmed by decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, was
definitely settled in favor of the smaller Republic. Cuba, in
consideration of the waiving of all American claims on the Isle of
Pines, agreed to cede to the United States coaling stations at Bahia
Honda and Guantanamo. Thus the disputed territory retained its original
position as the southern half of the judicial district of the Province
of Havana.
The Island contains approximately 1200 square miles, a third or more of
which is occupied by a large swamp bounded on the north by a depression
running east and west across the Island, and extending to its southern
shore on the Caribbean. The soil as a rule is sandy and poor, lacking
nearly all the essential elements of plant food, and hence, for
successful agriculture, needs large quantities of fertilizer.
The natural drainage of the Island is good, and the climatic conditions
are almost identical with those of Cuba. Aside from poverty of soil,
that which has most obstructed its prosperity is its geographical
position, lying as it does some fifty miles from the mainland, within
the curve formed by the concave littoral of the southern shore, from
which it is separated by shallow seas and sand bars. The only harbor
with sufficient depth for ocean going steamers is the open roadstead of
La Ensenada de Siguanea, which furnishes little or no protection from
heavy western winds. Vessels plying between the Isle of Pines and the
United States are compelled to go several hundred miles out of their way
in rounding the western extremity of Cuba.
All products raised in the Isle of Pines at the present time are shipped
on light draft steamers to the landing of Batabano, whence they are
transferred to a branch of the United Railways of Havana and carried
across Cuba to the wharves of the capital for export. This loss of time
and breaking of bulk has been, of course, disadvantageous to the fruit
and vegetable growers of the Isle of Pines. Nevertheless large
shipments, especially of grape fruit, have been made, and during those
seasons in which Florida has suffered from frost, the returns to the
grower have been very satisfactory.
Unfortunately, too, this interesting outpost of the Republic of Cuba
lies directly within the path of the cyclones which during the months of
September and October form in the Lesser Antilles to the southwest, and
travelling northwesterly rake the Caimeros, the Isle of Pines and the
extreme western end of Cuba. These great whirling storms usually pass
through the straits between Cape San Antonio and Yucatan, following the
curve of the western Gulf States until exhausted in the forests of
northern Florida and Georgia. The cyclone of October, 1917, destroyed
all the fruit of the Isle of Pines and practically ruined the citrus
groves, greatly discouraging the people who had devoted so many years of
time and toil to their care and development.
In spite of these disadvantages, however, the greater part of the
Americans who have made their homes in the Isle of Pines, with genuine
Yankee grit, refuse to lose courage, and have started all over again to
restore those sections that were temporarily devastated. The Isle of
Pines is not an attractive place for the man of small means, since
considerable capital is absolutely necessary for successful agriculture
in that section. Nevertheless, there is every reason to believe that
with time, and intelligently directed effort, the Island may eventually
become a really valuable asset to the Republic.
There seems to be no reason why the great deposits of muck from the
swamps which form the southern part of the Island, lying also along the
coast of the mainland in many places, might not be transferred to those
soils of the Isle of Pines lacking in humus, and thus in time build a
foundation of sufficient fertility to produce almost any crop desired.
In the northern half of the Isle of Pines are several low mountains, or
ridges and hills, especially on either side of Nueva Gerona, which are
composed largely of crystalline marble known as the Gerona marble. It is
probable also that this same material forms part of the Sierra Pequena,
or Little Ridge, located a few miles east, as well as that of the Sierra
de Canada seen in the distance.
This marble is thoroughly crystalline, retaining little or no trace of
organism that it may originally have held. The greater part of it is
rather coarse, although there are some beds of fine white statuary
marble. The color varies from pure white to dark grey, with strongly
marked banding in places. These rocks probably belong to the Paleozoic
age, although the crystalline character of the material renders the
period of their origin somewhat doubtful. In some beds the impurities of
the original limestone have recrystallized and formed silicate minerals,
chiefly fibrous hornblende. This deposit of marble has been estimated to
be not less than 2,000 feet in thickness.
The drinking water of the Isle of Pines is abundant, and like that of
nearly all other parts of Cuba is of excellent quality. Several mineral
springs exist which have a local reputation for medicinal properties.
Many beautiful homes, and miles of splendid driveways, have been built
by the property owners of the Isle of Pines, who have a natural pride in
its beauty and development.
To those pioneers from the United States who have done so much towards
the regeneration and building up of this section, that has always been
agriculturally despised, or at least ignored by the natives, the
Government of Cuba feels greatly indebted, and it realizes fully that
only through immigration of this kind will this excellent work be
continued. Agricultural fairs, to which the Government of Cuba
contributes a generous amount for prizes, are held each year in the
Island, and social life among the residents, enlivened as it is by
visitors from the north during the winter season, is said to be
charming.
The principal cities are Nueva Gerona and Santa Fe, while numberless
small colonies are found every few miles along the highways that have
been built within the last ten years. The Isle of Pines has an
attractive future and many of the rosy dreams of the early American
pioneers, with time, patience and capital, will undoubtedly be
realized.