| Show clipperton ROCK AWARDED TO FRANCE Is one of loneliest islands on globe washington an arbitration award gives to france its first possession on the pacific coast of north america clipperton rock a desolate spot of land miles oft the mexican coast has just been placed under the tri color by king victor emanuel of italy arbiter to whom france anil mexico submitted their claims of ownership clipperton hock Is one of the lone blest and least visited islands on alie globe says a bulletin from the na geographic society it Is about the same distance froni the nearest mexican port of acapulco ico as the ber muda islands are from new bork like the bermudas this lonely island rles sheer from the bed ot the ocean it Is surrounded by dangerous coral reefs looks like a sail marinero mariners Ma who have sailed near clipperton rock say that the island which Is about two miles in diameter and reaches a height of CO feet looks like a sail at a distance upon closer approach it presents the appearance of a castle rising from the waves most ship captains give clipperton rock a wide berth in fair beathel it la easy enough to steer clear of its encircling reefs but in times 01 fo a ship could be wrecked before the bounding lead could give any warning of land soundings less than a mile offshore give no bottom at fathoms feet the island destitute of any legeta alon Is inhabited only by a small alex lean garrison it was annexed by france in 1857 A party of americans next claimed it and attempted a settlement when france protested to this country in 1897 the united states recognized french sovereignty but the same year president diaz of mexico claimed and seized the island later diaz agreed to sub att the matter to arbitration of the king of italy and abide by his decision possible seaplane base while the sail like rock Is the most conspicuous feature of the island most of the new french possession Is a huge ring or belt of coral sand inclosing a circular lagoon which va ries in depth from a few inches to feet the lagoon water Is and during the dry season smells strongly of ammonia it could he used however as a seaplane base for at all times it affords a quiet anchor age and taking off place food supplies are meager insufficient in themselves to support human life this was demonstrated about 32 years ago when during one of the acute periods of the mexican revolutionary struggles supplies conic not be sent to clipperton rock all the garrison there with the exception of one roan died of starvation before a chip could be spared sharks swim about the island and in the big lagoon there are a number of knobs of land above nater on which countless count lese sea birds lay their eggs these eggs are good eating some time ago the mexican go eminent leased clipperton rock to the pacific islands company which expect ed to exploit the guano deposits of alip bird breeding rocke A wharf fee t long was built out to the edge of the reef but AS the sea breaks beyond it the wharf will have to be extended he fore ships can use it the mexican name for the island ts la wa de la or the isle of the passion |
