New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-19

IF one picture a country whers norhins IL
up to date. where only a narrow margin along the
coast is opened to civilization and that CIV
ilization OF the most crude and primitive types
where square mile upon square mile OF the richest
and most fertile land on the surface OF the globe
lies undeveloped. the hunting ground only OF wild
animals and wandering Indians whsrs there is not
a mile Of road a wheeled vehicle except IN the
immediate vicinity of the cities OF Colon and Pan
anna, may begin to get conception OF the pres
ent condition OF the Republic OF Panama" says C
L. Withrow in THE Independent"
There is probably spot on the Western Henri
sphere unless 1t be the State OF Yucatsn. in Mex
leo. about which little is known this. the
newest OF republics. In about the size OF the
State OF Indiana, with total population OF less
than quarter of million, she has developed less
than any other OF her Latin-AmeFican sisters.
There IS not single enterprise. industry or bust
ness of any ma gnituds within her boundaries that
has been inaugurated. developed or carried on BY
her own citizens. Foreign capital. brains and en-
ergy have given her everything she has.
The causes OF this stagnation many.
the principal being the constant political
troubles that have racked tho country since
the formation OF the United States OF Co
lombia So bitter has been the party feeling.
so relentless the persecution OF those who differed
with tho governing party, that the people have
had little time for aught else than lighting ana
protecting themselves against their political enc
mics Now that Panama IS free there IS every
reason TO believe that a dawn win break upon
tho isthUluS. for in all these years OK StrtS the
Panamans have practically been unit against
tho government OF BoEota. II they hold together
In the future as they have In tho past and strive
TO form a government that will be stable and just.
there is no why the Republic OF Panama
should not be the leader OF the Latin-Amsrican
republics.
The writer lived for four years in the northern
end OF the isthmus and had ample opportunity
TO know and study the people, their characters ana
methods therefore. the following account OF life
in tba OF a
Of interest.
''rh. northern portion OF the republic is noun
famous: but on both the Caribbean and Pacific
| sides the land along the coasts and back TO
the lower slopes OF the mountains Is wonderfully
fertile On tho Caribbean coast the prtnclpSl in
dustry Is growing and exporting bananas Other
branches OF tropical agriculture. such az rubber
sarsaparilla and cocoa planting. are as yet but
sparingly practised. These Will come later. when
the banana industry has worked itself out As
compared TO the other. the banana Is OF the nature
OF temporary crop. 1t thriyes best on the humid
land of newly cleared forests; Il develops quickly
nine months being the time which elapseS between
tho planting and the reaping or the nrst crop.
After nine months il is a continuous crop until
the land plays out. which. on an average IS ABOUT
six years Tho rich aIIuvial valleys and bottom
lands along the river courses last much longer De-
cause the freshetS replace the plant food con-
sumed so lavishIy by the growing trees. The re-
turn upon the amount invested Is great, the net
! profit varying from IS 10 so per cent. AS conf
pared to this rubber saTsaparia. cocoa and other
tropical products take years TO develop TO the
bearing stage but once successfully started they
last a lifetime with but little attention beyond
harvesting OF the crop It Is therefore easy 10
understand why the banana industry proves so
fascinating 10 the planter. Unfortunately. when
banana land gives IT Is useless forever for
banana cultivation. but is valuable for many other
forms OF agriculture.
Some idea OF the virgin forests OF the eoun-
try may be gained from the government roads or
81 rnrr harm mol
ton OF the isthmus. These trails are the only
means OF INSTRUMENTATION between the settle
meHts and towns. In the lowlands horses may Do
used but in the mountains the trails are too
rough for any but the pedestrian. Tho trails are
kept open by the travellers themselves. who keep
down the underbrush with their machstes. Tbs
land these trails occupy is in no manner reserved
for the public use. and when a planter In extend
ing his plantation runs across government roaa
he treats II with scant consideration. FOR the next
travelling party, II they find the old road I'M
passable. will cut another one.
IAN land within the republic is owned by the
government. and by constitutional provision the
title TO the land can pass 70 any one else.
An the land Is free and any one may enter upon
land that IS not actually in cultivation and Guilt
vate It. AS long as he occupies the land ne may
hold It against all ccEers his tenure amounting
to q lease in perpetuity. There two exceptions
TO this rule one being that with all concessions 4
tract OF land is usually given. this land being de-
scribed by metes and bounds Any one holding
land within these boundaries at the time the con-
cesson is given is protected; but one may enter
upon lands within the concession without the con-
sent OF the cOncessionaire. The other exception
IS when holder improves his land by planting
such trees cacao. rubber or cocOanut. or what
be called permanent crops. the lard is never
again open to the public occupancy. even IL the
planter fails to occupy 1t.
"A planter who has taken up and cultivated a
tract OF land and afterward desires TO sell 1t
must supply the purchaser with title going
back to the nrst cultivation. No notice to the
government is necessary in the first entry upon
the land; 1t is only when the planter sells that he
makes his declaration that he found the land IN a
virgin state and unOccupied. The document,
which is usually long and verbose. describes
only the nature OF the improvements. both
to crops and buildings situated upon
land specifically described No mention Is
made to ownership in the land These transfers
recorded in the government records. while the
original goes to the purchaser. Should he in turn
sell. he turns over his papers to the new owner
with his own conveyance added thereto.
This method of transfer. while sufficient TO pro-
tect in the transaction of ordinary business.
has a very injurious effect upon the prosperity OF
the country. 1t probably accounts for the rowing
proclivities OF tho population. for when all land