Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-04

for a layman to question the roseate state
ments of medical and sanitary experts, YET
the experiences of the individuals who with
in few months will be on the isthmus In
mass, possibly to the extent of 10000 work
men, may cause a feeling that too mucn
hopefulness was shown by the medical au-
thorities. The plain truth is that noDoay
should go to the iSthmus expecting that MS
health is quite as secure as in the temper
ate region or even in other parts OF the
tropics.
The great benefit of the undisputed con-
troll Of the United States in the building OF
the canal will be the autOcratic authority
over health regulations so that epidemics
NAV be limited and perhaps exterminated
But pernicious malaria, which is endemic
and not epidemic, always will dispute this
authority. For that matter yellow fever
In Panama also is endemic, though its con-
troll offers no serious difficulty.
One immediate benefit from the authority
vested in the commission may be to save
Panama from a visitation of the bubonic
plague Two years ago the plague ragged
along the Pacific coast of Mexico and de-
populated Mazatlan, the largest town. Last
year it ranged all the way from Peru
around through the Straits of Magellan and
up to Rio Janeiro, but the isthmus escaped.
Lately reports have been received of the
temperance of the bubonic on the Peru
Wan coast. These are likely to be only
sporadic cases, vet they show that the
plague has not been ban:shed from the Pa
cifc and Panama may have to protect it
self. Last year 1t protected itself by the
most maddening quarantine that ever Sc
Questered vpyagers in exile and drove them
wild. Under American authority. IL neces-
sary, a sensible quarantine may be en-
forced which will be more certain of pro-
tecting the isthmus and at the same time
will not be such a hardship to travel and
to trade.
Living on the Isthmus.
About living on the isthmus. that is to say
6iet and drink, thousand warnings would
not serve those who are incapable of mod
Grafton Yet a few rules may be observed.
In the first days of the republic some Amer
Jeans went to call on one of the new officials
at Colon. 1t was noon, which is the break
fast hour. He Hospitality invited them to
join him, but they baked when they found
he was partaking of champagne and fried
eggs ] mention this incident only because
/ one of the party drew a wrong inference.
He thought champagne was the regular ac-
compartment of the midday breakfast 1t Ia
rot and should not be. But eggs are the
staple food
Among the enterprises which the Panama
government is trying to encourage is the
such project is already under way II is
bound to be good investment. The YAM
KEGS are abused for many things in the
tropical countries. yet always they are cred
tied with bringing one blessing. This is ice.
They set up artificial ice factories and make
money in supplying demand which has
existed for centuries, but which the natives
never knew how to meet. Ice was to be
had on the isthmus during the French re-
gime 1t was supplied by the canal com
pany and cost II to 20 cents pound.
Base Ball Possible.
with reference to amusements and recre-
alton. in a former article made some sug-
gestions. Afterward an inquiry came to me
to know il base ball would not be a good
sport It Is and 1t is one of the sports
that is possible in the tropics. The Marine
Corps who were stationed near Cuiebra