New-York tribune., 1902-10-25
AZTEC AND MAYA CULTURE
RATREs TELEGRAPHS DETAILS OF DIS
PUTE AT AMERICANIsT con
GRESS TO DIAZ.

some phases Of Aztec and Maya culture the
highest civilization reached on this continent io "a
~ Panama. were considered by the Society OF
Ar,erIcsnists Yesterday. The whole day was de-
voted 20 these topics yet without hearing LOT
all the papers which had been offered
The last Of the six vice-presidents Dr. H)almar
stolpe OF Sweden, having served as presiding oli-
Ger IN the morning. the chair was occupied IN the
afternoon by A T. Maudslay an Engishman who
has spent much time and money IN studying maya
ruins in Central America. Photographs OF temples
tombs and monuments, covered with grotesque
carvings were suspended on either side Of the
auditorium. Printed volumes embodying results
of earlier research lay on a table for distribution
Colored pictures, duplicating some OF the mural
paintings found in Yucatan, were displayed back
OF the stage on huge movable screens. Many
Of the talks illustrated with lantern slides.
representing symbols or the objects on which they
were engraved. Finally, there was q combined
representation, by phonograph and cinema tograph,
OF "A modern Maya dance.
The first regular speaker DR.. Eduard Seller.
OF Germany, who not only collected many of the
articles presented by the Duke OF LCubat 10 the
American Museum Of Natural History in this city.
but who is supposed 10 have dcne more than any
other living man to interpret the Mexican codices.
These are small books. made up entirely of picture
writing and hieroglyphs, snd are eNceedirsly rare
Several Of them have been duplicated al the eN-
pense Of the Duke Of I.oubat in order that they
may be studied by other experts. DR.. Seller Sald
yesterday that little could be learned from the
pictures of the ancient MeXcans from the sacred
writings OF the Egyptians about the common peo-
rle.
Senior Leopoldo Batres gave an extended account
OF the work done in eXcavating the pyramidal
platforms OF the sacred city Of Monte Alban The
substance Of this story has already been published
Peculiar interest was felt IN the man. however on
account Of his being ignored the other day IN a
statement made by another Mexican delegate, Senor
Chavero. Inasmuch Senor Batres is the govern
ment inspector OF all archaeological work done In
Mexico he resented this treatment He says pri-
vatey that he telegraphed the facts promptly 10
President Diaz Whether that act accounts for
Sehor Chavero,s absence from the sessions ever
though that unfriendly relations have existed be
tween them for six years. As Sehor Batres does
not speak English, Professor Starr interpreted LOT
him TO the audience YESTERDAY ,-.,.,.--;.
Mrs Zeliz Nuttall OF the University Of Calitornia
read two papers one invited the attention oi
students Of the Maya language 70 the use OF certain
conducted by priests as penance for various o.
sehor Nicholas Leon. a Mexican. mentioned in
scriptions which seemed 10 conform neither 10 tIie
Vised further search therefor and advocated treat
ing them as third language He believed that
Mexico. Mr.. Savine commenting, said that his
observations In southern Mexico maae nm nm 2 IgdI
that specimens were rarer than Sehor Leon sup
Edward II. Thompson after describing mural
paintings which he had copied N ANcattll
the cinematograph exhibition OF Maya dance az
furnished by phonograph was very FAINT, but was
distingushable as the product Of shriIl lnSlr9-
most exclusively 10 two tones.
Senior Francisco Belmar. from the STATE OF
OaNaca Mexico discussed the Indian tribes OF that
region and their language.
Al 10 a. m. to-day meeting will be held 10 de-
termine the place where the next congress will be
held. The impression prevails that some German
CITY will be selected. DR.. den Steinen VIII
probably present formal invitation 10 the society
Sessions for the reading OF papers viii be held at
1880 a. m. and p m. one or both OF them IN the
library The day will be devoted almost exclusively
10 South America. The congress Will END tins
afternoon Most of the delegates will go 10 Ohio
next week under the guidance of Professor r. W.
Putnam. 10 inspect the remains of an old Indian
embankrnent known Fort Ancient