Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-11-20


anna isthmus, was for some time dis
cussed, but the preference was finally
given to the old route. The treaty
with Colombia, however, by which this
country was to pay $20.ooO,0O0 for the
necessary concession, was defeated
this summer In the Colombian senate.
The present attempt on the part Of
the state Of Panama to secede from
Colombia is the outcome Of this ac-
ton.
The action Of the Colombian senate
ana its effect in the state of Panama is
evidence of the unsettled conditions
that prevail in practically all Of the
Spanish American countries and to
which Colombia is no stranger. The
population Of the republic, estimated
at 4, ,400, 900, of whom about 100000 are
in the state of Panama, Is composed OF
whites Of Spanish origin, the remnants
Of the native Indian tribes, Negroes
and half-breeds of every description.
Many Of the Indians are still in an al
most savage state and the llaneros or
herdsmen Of the plains are far from
high state of civilization. In Bogo-
ia, the capital, however, city Of over
100, 900 inhabitants, the people have
adopted European habits with strong
leaning to French ways.
The climate and character Of the
people are diversified by the numerous
irregular and lofty mountain ranges.
Though a portion Of the country Is
crossed by the equator every variety
Of temperature Is to be found from
tropical heat to perpetual ice and
snow. On the isthmus the mountains
are comparatively low and the general
characteristics of the region are those
of the tropics. Though the whole OF
the country Is rich in mineral deposits,
on account Of the scarcity Of capital,
the unsettled political conditions and
the difficulty of communication many
of the most important are still un-
touched.
The telegraph system Is extremely
poor, for In the less populous districts
the wires are both stolen by thieves
and destroyed by monkeys, who find
them useful for exercise. Agriculture
is the chief industry Of the country.
but It Is carried on by the Indians with
the crudest methods. The only indus
trial product TO be exported to any
extent. is the jipijapa or Panama hats.
Panama is the capital Of the 18TH
mian state, Is a tropical city Of more
than $4,000 Inhabitants. 1t is the old
est city In America, having been
founded in 1913 by Pedro Arias Da-
villa, and soon became wealthy from
the Peruvian mines. Its riches at
tracted Morgan's buccaneers, and af-
ter plundering 1t for three weeks they
burned 1t In 1871. From the Eight
monasteries, cathedral and two
churches, a fine hospital, 200 richly
furnished houses, nearly 5000 houses
of an humber sort, a Genoese Cham
ber of Commerce, and 200 warehous-
es," they carried off It's mule loads OF
loot and 600 prisoners.
Two years later the present city was
founded on a tongue Of coral rock,
about six miles from the old site. 1t
was once considered one Of the strong
est fortresses in South America, but
little Of the granite Notifications Is
still standing. OF the old Spanish
houses, also, few are left, and what
dignity the city now has is derived
from the state buildings and offices. A
large area Is covered by the ruins of
churches and converts. Living Is ex-
pensive and the hotel accommodations
are poor.-New York Sun.