New-York tribune., 1902-10-19
A NEW TERRITORY.
MEXICO PROPOSES TO CARVE ONE QUE
OF YUCAIAN-RICH RESOURCES.

Quintana Roo is the odd name Of a navv ts--,>c-x
which the federal government OF Mexico proposes
10 carve out OF the long unconquered portion Of
ooutheastern 1ucatan. says Thomas r. Dawley. H..
In The Outlook" For many years the independent
Aayas or this region not only have bid defiance to
the Mexican arms. but one time they carried tts
war TO the very walls Of Merida the capital of
the country Last year the Mexcans estab-
hshed landing upon the coast just above British
Honduras, in the Chetumal Bay, and took possess
sion of the abandoned town of RaearIa tha In
habitants of which had been uassacred by ths
Indians on one fatal night some fifty years ago.
WIN BacarIa as base, the troops worked north In
combination with column from the opposite direc-
ton and succeeded in taking the mythical city of
Chan Santa Cruz. the Indian stronghold The ctty
proved 10 be an Old mission OF the Franciscans
which had been abandoned by them years before
the Mayas rose in rebellion. and which had been
forgotten in the legendary history of the natives
With the taking Of this stronghold the power OF the
rebels was broken since that time the federal gov
ernment has been studying various plans to open up
the country to immigration and foreign investments.
II is now proposed TO give it territorial govern
ment. separating IL from the State of Yucatan
President Diaz. according to the provision estab-
Hshed by law has fixed the price OF land at 81 per
hectare. and large colonization company has al
ready obtained concession OF $4,000 hectares,
which 1t intends 10 exploit Immediately for the
cabinet woods, dyewoods and gum chicIe.
Some idea OF the size OF this territory may
ne formed by comparing the peninsula of Yucatan
with England, which II nearly equals in area Al
though the bounds of the proposed territory
yet underlined further than the line bordering
the Caribbean Sea and the River HOndo, which sep
arates II from British Honduras, IL Will probably
take in one-thrd OF the peninsula sixteen thou
square miles of territory. all of which is to be
opened up 10 the immigrant and venturesOme cap
ttaist This country is covered with great forests
and in the interior. beyond the forests. great
SaVannaS. plains. covered with lUNurant grass.
suitable for cattle raising The soil OF this country
rich that the Indian who inhabited IL never re-
his much needed corn, which is his chief food.
He simply down the trees. let them dry through
the season. and then, setting fire TO them the
ground was ready for the corn. which he planted
the soil, dropping the corn IN, and covering IL up
All that this rich territory now requires for its
development is a population. and that the Mexican
Government is seeking 20 the best OF its ability.
Criminals and many of the undesirable residents OF
Mexico being sent there, as are also the wives
and children of the Gaaui braves who are carrying
a AGAINST the federal government or sonora
Once territory. they are kept under surveil-
lance according TO the degree or their crimes. or
made work out a sentence accordingly. Plans
inc a canal at Bacarla Chico into Chetumal Bay to
enable vessels drawing fifteen feet to enter from
thus avoiding the necessity of going further
down into British waters around AlbergriS Key.
The establishment OF port in this vicinity is al
ready looked upon by the merchants of Belize
great injury their fast disappearing trade But
what will be the greatest achievement Of the Mex
ican is the establishment of port and the build
ing of future city on Ascension Bay, further up
the coast. While PrOgreSO. the only port or Yucca
tan. is merely open roadStead on the north
coast. Ascension Bay is tranquil sheet OF water.
furnishing a safe harbOr for a fleet OF vessels
If need 1t is anticipated that port In this bay
is destined to become great city, as tropical
cities