Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 294, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1918 — Holland's Carihbean Island [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Holland's Carihbean Island

A LITTLE bit of Holland transplanted in the Caribbean is Curacao, a Dutch island that is but 40 miles from the , northern coast of Venezuela and only ’ a little more than 100 miles from La Guayra, port town fop Caracas, capital of Venezuela. No other Island of the West Indies so nearly represents, by Its physical appearance and Its people, the country of the Zuyder Zee as . does this quaint, pretty and very hospitable little island, chief possession of the Dutch In the Caribbean. The sea comes Into Willemstad, port city of Curacao, to form a landlocked harbor, unlike any other in the West Indies. This harbor, which Is nearly half a mile long, very deep and large, forms a spacious port of call for many ships at one time. Two Dutch forts, which are none too formidable in looks, but which appeal to one because of their squatty, somber, “Dutchy" appearance, guard the entrance to the harbor. A bridge spans the narrow channel Just above the forts, and is swung back for ships .doming in or going out, to leave the way clear. About the town of Willemstad itself there Is a charming influence which ' immediately wins the stranger, so much like the mother country is this little port The architecture is Dutch; the buildings themselves might have been brought bodily from Amsterdam, go much do they resemble the physical features of that Dutch city. The town is built down to the water front on bcJth sides of the main inlet of the harbor as well as along the lagoon. Just above the forts and on the right side as a ship enters, stands the governor’s home and the general government buildings, a pleasing sight. Phrt ending along the same side and also running along the opposite shore are the business houses, which stand but a few feet back from the water itself. | Entering the Harbor. As the ship drifts toward its dock a passenger may get a good view of the town. ' The , architecture fascinates: the busy condition of the dock and adjoining streets, where hundreds of people seem to swarm at their work, ■ gives an impression of a hustling, and much alive tropical town. As the ship goes on past a break In the line of buildings the lagoon is observed to the right, and down to Its edge hundreds of homes whose tile roofs appear In varied contrast under the sun. These homes, the passenger will soon learn, if he chooses to hire an Automobile at $2 an hour to ride about the town, are Ideal in cleanliness.

Many ships are always to be found In the Willemstad harbor. Even dur* Ing the war there usually are three or four - steamers at dock in addition to many one, two and three-masted sailing schooners, which ply between Curacao and ports of Venezuela. Because of these ships and for the reason that many business houses are down at the edge of the water, Willemstad gives an immediate impression, of much hustle and activity. The business places themselves, even with ships absent, would contribute much toward making this same impression. And, due to these scenes at the dock, during the hours of regular business, the passenger, even though he never leaves his ship, always carries away a picture of this litfle town that he never -will forget Back among the homes that border upon the water of the lagoon is- to be found “Spotless Town,” if anywhere in the world outside of Holland such a town exists. These homes, with their Dutch architecture, are as free from dirt and other things that detract from good looks and comfort as any homes can be. The kitchens are spick and span, with floors scrubbed white and corners entirely free from dirt. The living rooms, the bedrooms, the dining rooms —all are ideal in cleanliness. Most of the Population Colored. Curacao has a population of nearly 00,000. Of this number 12,000 are

Wack and a mixture of West Indian, negro and Spanish blood. In Curacao there apparently IShmore pure West Indian and negro blood than in many of the other islands of the West Indian islands. . The negroes themselves are a pleasant, agreeable race In Curacao, seeming to have felt the influence of the thrifty Dutch for many years. Dutch Is the official language of the Island, of course, though English is mostly spoken. The natives speak Dutch and English slightly and have a peculiar mixture of French, Spanish, Dutch add Indian that Is their chief tongue. This language is very crude and is never learned, simply absorbed.

Scenes upon the streets of Willemstad are certain to entertain every one who has come here for the first visit. Many of the streets are very narrow, hut always dean, apd the views along them form an Interesting study. In the hotels the food, though not always of the best quality, is cooked very well and Is served In an appetizing way. Considering the prices charged by the hotels and the prices which they are required to pay for the food, the fate is very good; Outside of Willemstad itself there Is little to Interest anyone. The Island receives a small rainfall. Luckily for the inhabitants, Willemstad is a free port, and they therefore are able to import many foods and goods without having to pay much more for them jthan cost at their point of origination. The Dutch government maintains 200 soldiers from Holland and an equal number of native militia at ’Willemstad. This force acts under the command of and Is for service in all parts of the island. The peaceful- nature of the Islanders, however, seems to make the maintenance of this force a needless expense.

Principal Street of Willemstad.