The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-12-08
WORK OF THE Y N CAST LOUIS COLLEGE HALL VISIT TO GUATEMALA
GOVERNOR G.. ID. FREETH TELLS
OF LIFE IN THAT COUNTRY.
Coast Hamlet and Interior City-Bus-
mess Seems to BE Lively-Gold at a
Big Premium-On the Social Side.

While on his recent trip abroad Gov.
George ID. Frceth made brief visit to
Central America. lie went ashore at
the port of San Jose de Guatemala and
after remaining there for a day or so,
made his way into the interior until
he came to the city of Guatemala,
nested costly upon the uplands of that
country. Here he sojourned for sew
eral days the guest of friends.
"When | landed at the San Jose de
Guatemala the fever was raging" be-
gan the Governor yesterday afternoon
I in relating some of the incidents con
nected with his trip. 81 was later in
formed that it was simply spasmodic
attack of the plague. The inhabitants
at the port were dying off quite rap
/ idly and the authorities were utterly
powerless to put a check to the
disease. The greater bulk of the res
idents are Spaniards or MeXicans, who
are employed on the various launches
and about the wharves. On account
of the frequent outbreaks of the fever,
it is a difficult matter to secure the
services of white men there.
"The landing at San Jose de Gaute
mala is peculiar. indeed. An immense
bank of sand rises up abruptly at the
waters edge This ridge of sand is
much higher that the level of land be-
hind, which gradually leads up to the
hills. quite little distance from the
sea shore. The land lying between
the hills and the sand bank is largely
swamp. 1t is this stagnant water in
that tropical climate which aids very
materially in causing the prevalence
! was there a large gang of men were
engaged in sinking an artesian well.
The promoters are very sanguine over
the success Of their enterprise. The
dwellings Of the residents al the part
are all located on the highlands.
From the San Jose de Guatemala
to the city is a journey of about eight
hours by rail" continued GOV. Freeth,
"a beautiful lake, tropical plants.
large trees, together with the luXur-
liant verdure that grows along the line
of the road, make this journey high
" delightful one. Guatemala is love
ly city, with its many peculiarities and
oddities. The residences are all one
story structures and the windows fac
ing the streets are covered with iron
bars. This has been found necessary
by the residents for their-own safety
in revolutionary times. The verandas
are within the outer walls of the
building and face the court in the
yard. Among the wealthier classes
each residence is situated well back
on the lawn. A very large double gate
with an arch fronts on the street. The
driveway circles about large court in
front of the residence. In the center
of the court stands a magnificent
fountain. The residences throughout
the better part of the city are almost
universally alike IN these particulars
"The present administration is very
progressive one. President Barrios of
the Republic has the confidence of tn
people including the poems, who were
liberated from slavery a few years ago.
The President is having a magnificent
new palace constructed and when it
is finished his wife, who is an Ameri-
can lady, formerly of New Orleans,
will be queen of the household. Under
/ Barrios' regime very large and beau
tiful city park has been established
some little distance from the city. I'M
, provements are constantly being made
to the park and already it is "A fair
rival to the famous Golden Gate in
San Francisco. Band concerts are
given regularly in big pavilion. The
double driveway about the park is
! thronged with swell turnouts every
= seldom goes driving unless he is ac-
$ companied by his coachman and foot.
: man in livery. The common people
+ have access to the park by means o'
narrow guage railroad.
"Presdent Barrios has abolished
the duty on bicycles and carriages, ht
deeming these vehicles a great bene
fiji to the people, There are no ser
ious political differences existing at
present. There are two parties-tht
Government and Church parties
President Barrios is identified Will
the former. II was but few years
. ago that several converts were con
iscated from the Roman Catholi,
church and transformed into Govern
ment barracks. 4 large standing
p armN is kent nnder the present GOV