Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-10-11

| Inc census OF last year taken in the
different states which go to make up
the republic of Honduras shows for
eign population OF 81, 400 in that coun-
try This is divided as follows: Eng
fish and Americans, 5000; Germans
and AAstrians, $500; French, 300;
Italians, $500; Mexicans, $500; Span
ish, 5000; Portuguese, 1000; all other
nationalities, $1,000 OF this number it
is fairly estimated that one-half came
here to engage in legitimate business
pursuits, while the remainder are
forced exiles from their native lands
ilawbreakers who are safe here from
any possibility of extradition. Here
are men from the great American
cities, who, by their enterprise and
brain force, backed by goodly amount
OF money, which they brought with
them, are growing wealthy. The gold
mines of Honduras, which under the
most favorable circumstances are but
half developed and not half worked,
turned out over sS,00O,000 in yellow
metal.
1t is in the vast rubber forests, how
ever, that the greatest wealth is ac-
quired. There are recorded at the cap
ital by the treasurer something like
100 national concessions to Americans.
Each one of these concessions ranges
from 5000 to 10000 acres and each acre
will average 1000 rubber-producing
trees. The average grown tree in one
season is capable of being MIXED to
the extent of forty pounds of pure rub
ber 1t will be readily seen, therefore.
there is an enormous profit in this bust
ness. The cost Of producing, melting.
carting to the coast and exporting to
the New Orleans or New York market
will not exceed 25 cents per pound.
This sum also represents the propor
Tomato cost of the concession, which in
all cases runs for twenty years. The
cost OF concession depends altogether
on the condition of the national fnaa-
ces. If the treasury is which
is the case most of the time-then a
concession can be had for approximate
ly $50 per acre and yearly tax of Sc
per acre. No concessions are granted
for less than 500 acres, and this allot-
ment is made by the surveyor general
II man has discovered particularly
fine lot of trees which have not been
taken up he may ale his claim to them,
but, if granted, it will be at an exorni-
tant figure.
No one of the South or Central
American states possesses so many
varied and constant resources as Hon
duras. Were it not for its backward
state Of civilization there would be
bright outlook for investors from all
over the world. The following are the
industries reported for taxation for the
year 1899, and it is fair to assume they
are largely in excess of these figures:
Gold, ss,000,0o0; silver, s4,S02, 453;
lead, $s17,223; stock and agriculture.
s41, 100000; rubber and lumber, $780,
S11,271; fruit, s2.45o,OOO; total, s94.-
7S0,947.
In country like this, where flowers
have no fragrance and women wear no
petticoats, everything goes by contra
ries. Civil rights are vaporous and life
decidedly uncertain. AS to the men,
their eyes plainly read. Il am dying,
Egypt, dying" They make me feel like
the ruthless hunter | ana hunter of
and mere literary material: |
whom the quest of sport has swept to
this country to be in at the death.
With the women it is different. While |
the men are very much dormant, the
women a-e correspondingly alive, the |
married women. or senoras, particular.
ly so. I find the educated Hondurian |
girl physically attractive, psychicaily |
and altogether enthrall- |
ing,
1t is easy to tell the married from |
the unmarried women whenever you |
meet them by the manner in which |
they wear flowers in their hair, the |
senoras putting them on the right side
and the senoritas on the left. There is
no country on the face of the globe
where men hold women in greater re-
spect than in Honduras. Not only do |
they guard them with an earnest so
licitude. but they accord them the dis
tinction of outward Differences. They |
protect them from every care and bear
every burden that man can carry for
woman. The chivalry of olden times
survives among these people, and this |
Is doubtless one reason why the wom-
EN- are so contented with their lot.
There are no married fiirts in Hon.
duras. no scandals caused by unfaith- |
full wives, no ambitious women pining |
in their secluded homes, so far as
known. There are no women's rights /
no women's temperance
societies, no mothers meetings. There
is not even a woman's card club in the
whole country. The wife knows moth
ing Of the family finances; she is not
consulted In serious business affairs. If
| We're asked, what do they do with
their timer" l should say their DAYS
are quite as full of activity, both men