Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-02
THE GENERAL CALLED
-
Panaman Commander Re-
ceived at Camp Elliott.
LIFE OF THE MARINES
UNCLE SANS BOYS SEEM TO BE
ENJOYING THEMSELVES.
The Wonder and Admiration of the
Natives-Why So Many Negroes
Are on the Isthmus.


Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star
CAMP ELLIOTT. Panama,
January Ii, 1904.
The general commanding the Panaman
soldiers stationed at Panama and his staff
visited our camp the other day His staff
consisted of two colonies, one major and
their interpreter, and they were accompa-
MED by New York newspaper correspond
ent. The correspondent took pictures of
our camp and the officers and many OF the
marines. The general Is a very small man:
, he looked like q boy about fifteen years old.
He wore white suit, rubber boots and
campaign hat The two colonies and the
major wore white suits too but no boots.
We will never forget the beautiful scenery
here. Beyond the hilltops we see the rising
and setting sun. A beautiful rainbow over
our camp spans the land from ocean to
ocean nearly every day. The climate is
made for people who don't wear many
clothes. The location of our camp is
unique. The surroundings are UNSURPASSED
In beauty. All around the camp Is a mass
of fruit and flowers. 1t wouldn't be hard
for a blind person to detect banana plan
tation or an orange grove. Don't think
that the natives step out of their huts and
pick bananas fresh from the plant. as they
would oranges Bananas must ripen off
the plant to be fit for eating The bananas
sold In Washington after travelling over
1000 miles are Just as good as those that
are ripened here They do not grow on
tree They grow on big plant and per-
haps fifteen feet from the ground The
plant has large leaves that grow in bunch.
and among these leaves. as IL sheltered by
them. are the bananas The native cuts
the stalk with machete. We had hun
dred men employed to cut the weeds
around our camp. and they all used the
machete.
No matter which direction one may go.
there Is beautiful view. It is not wise to
hurry and worry. 1t Is land for idiing.
Every one is kind to US and all regard us
as great people. They swarm about here
There is hardly a stretch OF roadway where
we do not see then--walking bare-footed.
some carrying bundles on their heads with
the greatest ease.
After all. this far-away spot is teaching
us many things. and when we return we
will not be as green" as the bananas that
leave here. People living along the line of
the railroad visit=euf camp frequently
and all make complimentary remarks about
the American marines.
The Natives.
Many of the natives about here nave
never seen Colon city or Panama, but have
remained here since childhood.
Many don't know their own ages Every
one of them is very happy and contented
If people in Washington think that we
are sick with fever and the other COM
plants that were predicted before we
came here they are much mistaken. Our
condition is quite the contrary. We con-
slider ourselves legitimate. indeed. to be
here. and. proud OF BUR privileges Our
camp o is high sqd srS clean and healthy;
nature prevails throughout the camp Our
marines are a very intelligents class of
men. far superior to any in a similar posi-
ton throughput the weFfd Nearly all of
them have good trade and a good educa-
ton. but the wandering spirit is strong in
them, which accounts for their enlistment.
A. Chinaman WHO recently Visited our camp
looked with amazement 1T the comforts
and order in our camp, and was heard to
exclafm: The Mclean soldier all the
samie much 'skee-skee. We are proud
to be the advance guard Of a nation deter
mined to Settle this long disputed canal
route. We were not wildly excited when
the news reached us that 1000 Colombians
were approaching. 1t turned out that the
papers in general were wrongly Informed.
But we prepared for all possible danger.
The other day we, went scouting, more
for practice than for any other reason, and
we brought back with us many fine Or
anges. Our store of oranges ran out yes
terday, and as the. boys have eaten every
one growing near the camp we miss them
more than ever We came across native
who owned an orange orchard and bar
gained with him for bag of the juicy
fruit, for which we paid 30 cents in Colom-
bian money, or % cents in our money. Peo-
pie in Washington would have to pay
about s. for them there The native from
whom we bought the oranges We found
sound asleep on an old rickety chair. A
big boy who said that he was the son was
sleeping stretched on the porch. The hut
was a one-room affair. with no bed in it.
Everything, was, in disorder-pigs and
chickens running about to suit themselves.
The man had to chase them out of the
room. The pigs grunted and the chickens
came back again, and we mad to do
Highland dance to keep from stepping on
them. The native appeared contented and
happy, as did he'little pigs and the chick
ems - - =, -
The Culebra Cut.
There was a report current that 1880
men were working: on the Culebra cut of
the canal Another report was that 1000
were at work. I went out there the other
day, and was told by one of the workmen
that there We're only 100 engaged. and that
the report of their being 300 there was
circulated to frighten the Colombian SOL
diers.
We have been practicing at the targets
lately. Many of the marines are dead
shots. The targets are on the east side of
the canal. and we have to shoot across the
canal, at 100 and 200 yards.
We had two jaguars in camp that Lieut.
Bracket bought from native. but one OF
a fat little rascal. and we have much fun
with him. He can't bite much, for he Is
too young, but he tries very hard to. Some
Of the visitors to the camp are quite AFRAID
Of him.
We had men standing signal watches last
night, looking for. strange signals and
strange lights. From our vigilance one
would think that an army of Colombians
was nearing US. dIxhat there was going
to be something doing" But We know
that all of this Is merely the work of prep
aration. We are 100 strong. and keep busy
and happy. We have decorated the walls
Of our cabins with pictures from the Amer
Jean papers and magazines.
The boys here have recently received
number of interesting papers and magazines
which they thought at first came from the
mother of the marines" wealthy lady,
who has given the marines great deal of
reading matter. Bibles, stationery. needles
and thread, and who often visits the men
and talks to them Il have since learned
that the lady lives in; Florida. and that in
memory of her. dear boy. who died at
soxrifo In he ;nac M nan ar