New-York tribune., 1900-08-11
SIR DAVID WILSON HERE.
GOVERNOR OF BRITISH HONDURAS
SEEKS MONEY FOR RAILROAD.
DENIES THAT THERE WERE ANY BREAD
RIOTS IN BELLZE-THINkS BALLOT IS
ALREADY CAST FOR M'KINLEY.


Sir David Wilson, Governor of British Hon
duras, is in this city his way to London He
is accompa nied uy his wife and son. and will
sail to-day for Liverpool on board the Cunard
liner Campania Sir David is a man Of about
forty years. and his features have been black
ened and burned by long exposure TO a tropical
sun He has lived in the tropics nearly thirty
years In speaking of the purpose of his visit
to England he said to a Tribune reporter yes
terday
What British Honduras demands most imperativ
y is railroads. For this reason / am going TO
for railroad running from Belize, the capital and
5TpoF t o. Of patega Tbe pToposed
will be about one hundred miles long ana VII
connect with the chief railroad lines of Guatemala
Sir David was asked about the reported bread
riots in Belize. and the methods used by the
military to subdue them.
There were no bread riots" answered the
British Governor emphaticauy Somebody got
the story that the populace Of Belize had in
stituted an insurrecton. and that the air was
so full of missiles that was compelled TO make
my escape on a Mexican gunboat at the i'm
rrinent risk Of my life Now, that story is pure
fabrication. and I am exceedingly sorry that it
has been circulated so widely.
IL is g fact that left Belize on the s4ez.ican
warshtp Sargosa and was landed at Vera Cruz,
President Diaz 20 visit him which I did. Our
meeting was for the purpose of adjusting the
relations OF the Indians in Northern British
Honduras with those of Yucatan. I was re-
ceived BY the President with the greatest cour-
tesy and friendIiness I came direct from the
City of Mexico 10 NewYork by rail, in i've days
an as many nights
There has been some dissension among the
people because Of a rise in the tariff. 1t was
hruited about by local demagogues that an at
tempt had been made to benefit the rich and rob
the poor. but this dissension was only limited
to talk. When the tariff system was let alone
long enough TO prove its efficacy and fairness
The talk ceased Now, this is the nearest ap-
proach to a bread riot that I know Of
rs it true that the people of British Hon
duras are not prosperous?" was asked.
Yes I am obliged TO say. il IS" he admitted.
We are at present burdened by what you
Americans call hard times The chief reason
for this condition Of things. in my mind, is the
South African war which has taken away most
Of our ships. Vessels of all sizes and descrip-
tions have been chartered by the British Gov
ernment for transport service in South Africa,
and a consequence we have been sadly handi-
capped in all lines of commerce.
The chief industry of the country is the rails
ing of fruit for the New-O Orleans market and the
shipping Of mahogany and ogwOod. There is
but little profit in the fruit trade for the reason
that l have already mentioned The country
should be developed, and railroad communica-
tiOn should be opened between the seaport and
the interior. Then all the profit Of the grower
need not be consumed in bringing his product
70 the market"
Sir David spoke of the South African war as
If it needed only few more marches and Eng
lsh cannon balls 70 bring il to an end.
1T has cost a great deal of life and great
deal Of money, he added, but think that the
results will justify the means"
When asked how he viewed the coming Presi-
dental election in the United States, he said;
Why the ballot is already cast, in my mind
for your Republican candidate. l think the re-
election of Mr.. Mckinley a fOregone conclusion
1t is the desire of all your commercial neighbOrs
that he be reelected.
Il have not beer in New-York before in three
years" he said in closing, yet 1 find wonderful
changes. Truly the city is growing with great
rapidity. It is another London"