The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-07
A Herald Correspondents Sketches
Of a Flying Trip.
Every Day Life in San Salvador Costa
Rica and Nicaragua.
COFFEE, COCOA AND COcHlNEAL
Fighting FuSileerS, an Iron Horse and Nov
city for the Centennial.

by regular steam communication between tue
Central American ports and the lstnnus OF
Panama as the highway between the two oceans
Il was thought, ana with reason, that prosperity
haa dawned upon quarter Of the western nemis-
phere Tor which nature had done everything, and
man absolutely nothing. H. was confidently
hoped moreover, tnat with the infusion OF the
proper elements OF enterprise the thin crust
which concealed the untold wealth OF Costa RIGA,
Nicaragua Salvadar and Guatemala would soon
be broken 70 the advantage not only OF the people
themselves but TO the world az large. These
bright anticipations have not been realized rom
causes too familiar 70 need repetition, aud yet II
would seem as II nature herself, in defiance or the
lethargy winch surrounds her, were determined to
shower her gifts broadcast and even compel
recognition or the bounteous tavors which she
extends here with no niggardy hand. The
statistics show gradual increase In the exports
OF coffee cocnineal, cocoa indigo, sugar and dye
woods, but the snail like pace with which
enterprise mas made its way Is conducive to the
belief that mad the old spirit Of jealousy, ndfer-
ence and antagonIsm been totally eradlcated the
four states mentioned would have been to-day the
tropical gardens OF the Continent But think the
experience OF the past has not been without It's
wholesome lessons, and although the existing
state or affairs. so lar as developing the
resources or these countries Is concerned,
is far rom what It ought to be,
better sentiment prevails to-day than ever BEFORE
and those IN authority are beginning 20 open their
eyes to the fact that that which dement's others re-
bounds 70 their own advantage and TO the people
over whom they rule. THIS hopeful outlook Is par
ticuIary noticeable in Guatemala ana san saliva
dor between which a spirited ana commendable
rivalry Is now progressing, and II the other petty
republics would but follow their example in thrift,
hberality and harmonious cooperation perhaps
the sanguine antcipatlons once entertained Of
their future welfare might soon be fulfilled.
PUMA ARENAS
All the coffee produced in Costa Rica comes to
this woiu looking SPOT Tor Shipment II Is the
nrst port on the way up the coast, and though
terribly down at the heels, far as It's municipal
arrangements are concerned is nevertheless an
objective point for the steamers on the down trip
TO Panama sailing craft seem 70 be al discount
IN this quarter for you can see hungry looking
barks and brgs on every hand, high out or water,
waiting IN patent expectation for load. Failing
In this, TOR tie steamers DO nearly all the carrying
they generally shuaie up the coast for wood. ana
thus laden proceed around the Horn TO their
various destinations. A stranger would be taken
some what aoack " the spectacle which on land
Ing presents il sell 70 MS wandering gaze. There
l. nothing bit coffee 70 he seen in whatever way
ron turn; the atmosphere is red0ent with coffee,
the men handling * look ike coffee bags tied In the
middle, the carts drawn By oxen miles rom the
interior are laden with H. storehouses are cram
med with II; the people dream Of coffee: Il Is tie
talk from dawn u sunset; coffee l. the staple and
the sustenance 81 costa Rlca. II Is hard 70 make
your way IN Punta Arenas, FOR the stumbling
block = conee. There they stand the live long
Gay, the oxen knee deep ID dust. with formidable
looking horns footsore and weared. having
travelled many league to bring the precious
commodity to the port
THE CARRErERos.
These oxen are superb animals, and an told
their barefo0ted owners take the utmost care Of
them. INC viiianous roads In costa Rica, and
indeed 10 al the republics here render their SER
vices Indispensable, ana a. an Illustration 81 the
kindness with which the clrreieros treat the
noble beasts, I was told mat II percnance a
moddlesome child vas kicked BY ono Of them, the
nrst point 10 lie ascertalned would he the damage
done 70 the noof Of the animal This Is probably
an exaggerstion. Int between the owner and the
brute the after looks the better fed o. the two.
The Doulevards OF Punta Arenas are not particu-
larry attractive, and a snort walk through the
cnaracteristie Costa Rlca town aboaf midday,
when the thick layers OF dust are In PLAYFUL
mood, IL apt 70 produce the impress on that y0u
have been Iunching On chalk.
FIGHTING FUsmEERs.
or warriors ID re is no lack shoeless and ragged
urchins, with Sowing faces and big guns, ltching
as Il were 70 run their Day 0nets into something
ana nov mat think oft, | feel convinced mat
the holes II many Of the coffee bags on the wharf
might easily he accounted Tor, a. there Is 20
knowing wat military men won't 40 % keep their
hand tn. Theee are the young gentlemen Who
participate IN the revolutions which appear 10 be
indigenous 10 the SOL, and II behGOyes you when
passing them TO look about as amiaole and inno.
cent We al Try 70 10 under the lens Or the pho
tographer, lest a sudden thought might strike q
sentry. wnen your late Il sealed TOR eternity.
nave frequently heard Of the acis Of bravery 81
these graduating generals a. performed Or harm.
less raylarsrs, and therefore resolved % have
90 personal dealings with ne heroic Infantry o.
this Repuollc.
Buthurnnq from the sword 70 tue plough, MAJ
mention that a good average crop 81 conee = *.
pected this season, a. many a. l2000 sacks
having been exp rtcd since the beginning 81 last
month. OF this number the largest quantity vas
shipped to England, mostly In exchange RI
various kirds or merchandise sent out the United
states being next in order. The commodity 4
being exported IS rapidly a. possible, the steamer
Honduras alone, on ner return trip, carrying
nearly - 90 SACKS. including some q 300 rom
o'ner adjacent posts, 70 Panama, thence 70 %
conveyed over the railroad and shipped 70 yarou'
about $4,000 sacks, which arc coming 70 Pants
Arenas as fast ~ tic oxen can drag them over III,
rugged aud wretched road.
pBMoRALzfNG IgoS HORSE.
But with al tvs apparent abundance ths
crop Is not one-third in extent what well directed
industry and enterprise ought 70 make it-Costa
Rica Is not nourishing apprehend that the pro
posed Introduction Of me iron horse, wnicn cener
ally acts a. q civilzsr In most parts Or the world
has had a demoralzing eTect upon the goo,
people Or this speculative Republic. some rear
Ggo the progressive element Of the country, j
view ofifs growing Importance, desired ! railroa,
tnat should run from Port Llmon, on the AHenfic
10 prominent point On tho Pacific, travorsin
fertile lands, the harDnger OF peace and plenty O
every hand and ne irresistible pioneer o. CONNER
cial triumph and prosperity. 10 fhi4 END, pra.ss
worthy il me extreme,
A LOAN