New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-26
SELECTIONS FEOM THE MAIL.
THE SITUATION IN YUCATAN.
ha Easso~ 81 Tb T. q, ., ~

TO the Editor Of The tribune.
Sir: General Teodoso Canto. OF Yucatan, whose
portrait appeared In The Tribune on sunday last, Is
one OF Dr. lie Plongcon's intimate friends. When we
were living In British Honduras he was our welcome
guest for several days. We there introduced him to
the Governor of Belize, Sir Frederick Palgrave Barlee
who afierward died while Governor OF Trinidad
e. neral Canto had come TO British Honduras TO try
and negotiate from that direction with the hostile
Maya Indians, and but for the timely Interference Of
Governor Barce he would not now be living, owing
to the treachery OF some OF his own countrymen who
sided with the indians.
The Tribune's article ON General Canto allud.s to
Il certain report which announced possible revolu
ton in Yucatan The report in question contained
serious errors II may interest the readers OF The
Tribune to learn in few brief lines the history OF
lucatnn's connection with Mexico. While under
Spanish dominion Yucatan commanded by Cap
nGeneral and Independent Of the other prov
nces that constituted the vice-royalty Of what was
called New Spain. Wien Mexico became independent
In ls22, Yucatan agreed to recognize and obey the
Government OF that country, provided 1t always
LIBERAL and Yucatan considered as free State I'm the
confederacy, with the right to form Its particular
constitution and enact such laws as 1t might deem
most suitable for Its welfare The Federal Gov
eminent failed to keep its agreements, consequently
in May, 1880, a revolution broke out In Yucatan.
Desperate battles were fought during nine months TIL,
OF Mexico. lIostllities renewed two years
LATER the Indians being induced to take an active
part In the battles which they did with much valor
and loyalty. In December, 1912. the struggle ceased.
At the beginning Of the following year treaties
were made with Mexico. Peace was OF short dura-
ton Yucatan still had for dissatisfaction SO
that In January 1876 separation again effected.
That year civil broke out between Merida
and Campcche, hitherto forming one State. In the
following year the terrible war OF races burst upon
the country owing to the mistaken policy Of those In
authority. That cruel made II necessary for
>ucatan 10 again become one With Mexico. since
then there has been separation nor is there likely
to be while General Prolro Diaz is president iuca-
tan Is now enjoying that peace and prosperity which
It's lovable people richly merit
few days ago received letters from the
Governor OF lucaan, aud from the Bishop senior Don
'recencio Garlic Ancona, both friends OF for
some years past. We wrote telling the Bishop that
IL was here stated that he enthusiastic leader
Of the revolutionary movement supposed to be on
foot. The Bishop Is a learned man, too much
crossed In his studies TO take much interest any
active part In political affairs and he is the last per
who would encourage u revolutionary movement.
he individual who made that sl,-pcnt has been mis-
informed, aS he has also on the following points
Mexican conyic are not SEM TO greut corral I'm the
mountains. lucatan has no mountains, only one low
range Of hills. The convicts do not die In swamps
or get killed by wild Indians. There Wild
villages, even those who hive freed themselves from
Mexican control: they can not be called wild. No
Mexican convtcts hlcd BY them unless In battle.
The convics sent 10 lucaan. Federal soldiers.
and live in finely built barracks, where they
treated with no undue severity, being commanded by
their own Mexican officers The Indians OF lucatan
are never called thicimcch0S. ] know OF no such
word. In the south part OF Mexico. bordering on
Peen. AT the time of the pinish conquest there
"A tribe called Chechcnlcqu,s. whom the natives OF
incalan spoke Of a. being ma ninIcob mot human.
meaning that they We're savag' beasts. The
natives Of Iucatnn now all called Mnyas, though
even AT tho tim: Of the conquest they q mixed
race. That country never had any Aztec population.
lrOgrcsO has city wall harbor. II ha- open
roadsead and Is built the scashOre, can DE seen
by photos that We have made.
LASTLY Merida. the capital has not one. but several
very excellent colleges.
ALICE -. LIE PLONGRON.
Brooklyn. July %, 1893.