The island is a curious mixture of palm and pines, one minute it looks like Venezuela and the next like Florida and Lakewood.

It is divided into two parties of Americans, the "moderates" and the "revolutionists." The Cubans are very few and are all employed by the Americans, who own nine-tenths of the Island.

Of course, they all want the U.S.to take it, they differ only as to how to persuade the senators to do it.

I had to change all my opinions about the situation.

I thought it was owned by land speculators who did not live there, nor wish to live there, but instead I found every one I met had built a home and was cultivating the land.