New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-28
NOTES AT THE lSTHMUS.
STEAM COMMUNICATION AND RAILWAY
PROJECTS.
POLITICS IN CONTEMPLATING OF THE REcI'
PRoCITY AMENDMENT-NEED OF AMEM-
CAN STEAMSHIP LINEs-THB THREE
AMERICAS ENTERPRISE.
raoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRBUsrJ

CAN STEAMSHIP INEs-THE THREE
AMERICAS ENTERPRISE.
frRoM A srAFP CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUSE)
Panama, April 5.-Ths picturesque old town
has so foul q reputation as one of the worst
paguespots of the tropics that wary travellers
double their doses of quinine forty-eight hours
out at sea and anxiously number the hours While
they are in port So strong is the prejudice
against it that the scenic beauty Of the harbor
escapes observation and the quaint buildings,
the charming drives through the suburbs and the
fine prospects to be obtained from the Battery
are not appreciated At the risk of being con-
sidered an optmist, / must deliberately record
my testimony TO the effect that week may be
pleasantly and comfortably passed on the 18th
mus 1t may be true that after living on star
vation rations and sleeping on the iron cots OF
Central American hotels was in a state of mind
to find lotos eating and rose-le mattresses in
the grandose caravansary fronting upon the
Plaza; and it may also be just inference that
after a sultry voyage down the coast in the ILL
ventilated and stuffy Barracuda. steamer wholly
untitled for navigation in the tropics, was
prepared to find any inshore climate inv1gor-
ating and salubrious; but the fact remains that
every hour Of my stay has been enjoyed and that
/ am leaving the Isthmus with regret. Panama
ny have been plague-spot and pandemonium
dI17fng the canal reves, but it is now whole
some and reputable town where one may remain
with security and form friendships which will
be the treasurc-trove of protracted foreign jour
ney.
Business on the Isthmus is sragnant. The
transit trade is seriously reduced by the Chllian
hostilities, which are devastating the most pros
porous section OF the west coast. The canal
Wt.cQ's
negotiations with the Colombian Government not
having restored the faith OF French investors in
the grossly mismanaged enterprise. The COM
pany's agents still occupy their handsome
building, and there are large monthly remittances
from Paris available for the employment of an
adequate force for keeping the property in good
order but there are no signs of the resumption
Of work. Crawford Douglas competent expert
in all matters relating to the canal tells me
that the dredges will be in motion next December;
but his feeling of confidence Is not generally
shared. This is known TO be an exceedingly I'M
favorable time for raising money in Europe Tor
foreign enterprises, the bursting of the Argentine
bubble having warned investors against taking
high risks in any class of South American Sc
curities Lieutenant Wyse cannot expect to get
another extension Of time for completing the
canal even with the assistance Of the astute
Bishop of Panama. The most credulous partisans
of the canal admit that no work can be under
taken this year. The canal authorities are
determined to spare the old directors and to take
advantage of any improvement in the money
market through good crops and a successful season
in Paris.
Politics in Colombia are absolutely controlled
by one of the ablest men in Spanish America.
Dr. Nunez has been Liberal and is now re-
dictionary Conservative, but he is man of force
and unrivallcd capacity for directing public affairs
ard enforcing party discipline. An election IS
approaching but it docs not cause him serious
concern, so certain is he to remain in the Presi-
Dental Office as lorg as he desires. The Oppo-
sition has no candidate. the leaders excusng their
lethargy by asserting that justice would not be
accorded to them OF the ballot box. Probably
they are right for DR.. Nunez is a practical poll
tician who does not neglect any precautions that
will command success. He apparently considers
that the choice of Vice President offers sufficient
scope for the exercise of political rights by the
people His practice, as it is described to me
by well-nfOrned resident Of Colon, is to go to
Bogota at the beginning of a Presidential term,
take the oath CT office, remain for few weeks,
until all matters of difference are arranged among
his followers, and then to retire TO his home in
Cartarena. leaving the Vice-President to pose
as the ornamental Chief of State. The more ser
vile the friend whom lie places in that office the
greater will be his feeling of security in enjoying
the rest and retirement of his home. A man OF
bold and Independent ideas, of policies and am
billions of his own, will embarraSS him, for whether
present or absent. DR.. Nunez insists upon direct
ing all important affairs. TIE election OF VICE
President consequently is the pivot upon which
public interest turns.
There are two candidates now in the field One is
DR.. Caro-. who represents the older members of the
Conservative party and the close personal and
political adhcrcnts of Dr. Nunez in the Liberal
party and the other is General Velez, who is sup
ported by the younger and more progressive Con-
servatives and the best elements Of the Liberal
marty. One is an accomplished writer and scholar,
without experience in public affairs, while the
other is an adroit politician, good soldier. an
able governor and q capable administrator. My
informant asserts that DR.. Nunez assumes to be
neutral in the contest. but that his enemies are
confident that Dr. Caro- is his choice. Whlle
both candidates nominaly represent the dominant
party. the Opposition leaders evidently hope that
DIR. Caro- will be successful. The administration
of General Velez, tley admit would be free from
party prosecutions, but since it would tend to
nonrlarize the existing Government il would i'm
pair the chances Of the Opposition. From motives
of selfinterest they desire the triumph OF the re-
dictionary wings, since that result would disgust
the more progressive Conservatives and possibly
open the way for return TO power Of the dis
sident Liberals and Radicals who have been Ian
gushing in Opposition for many years DR.
Nunez. however will make known his preference
some morning and his man will be elected lie
has reduced political government in Colombia to
a system of extraordinary simplicity. lie has
concentrated power in his own hands, yet eXer-
cses il in the luxurious of retirement, with
plant dummy at the capital TO preside over the
destinies Of the Republic and to consult with him
at every turn. OF all the travesties upon popular
government and the American Constitution which
have been witnessed in Spanish America, the po-
Iitical play enacted at Bogota and Cartagena is
tie most grotesque.
The imports of the free ports of the Isthmus
ore NOT included in the commercial statistics of
Colombia. The customs line begins at the Carib-