The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-18
PANAMA SHOWS
HOPEFUL SIGNS
Senior Pinal Says Liberal
Laws Are Making the Peo-
pie on Isthmus COntented
is RICH IN PRODUCTS
Government Is Extremely
Anxious to Foster Good
Feeling With the World

Under the encouraging influence of
American protection, with the prestige
of the canal and with liberal laws. we
hope to soon have the republic of Pan
anna on footing with all the govern
ments of Central and South America
In fact, 1 predict that it will not be
long before our little republic, still in
its infancy, will be furnishing an ex-
ample to neighboring countries on the
Pacific Coast"
This is the hopeful view taken by
Senior Pinal Of Panama, who has been
spending several days at the Occidental
Hotel. He is at the head of the big
pearl fisheries of Panama and took an
active part in the revolutionary meas
ures that resulted in the creation of q
new republic on the southern isthmus.
He is on his way TO Paris in connection
with his pearl business, having come
north by way of New York and Jour-
neyed westward to confer here with
former State Senator VOORHEES, and
others regarding mining interests in
Panama. From here he goes to ST.
Louis, thence direct to France.
Panama" continued Senior Pinal,
began its political career under the
most favorable circumstances. 1t was
fortunate in selecting a man for Presi-
dent who has the confidence Of the en-
tire population of the isthmus, as was
evidenced by the unanimous vote &C.
corded him, and again fortunate in
adopting laws of the same liberal char
acter as those of Mexico. These will
insure protection to foreign investors,
who are expected to develop the coun-
try. Ours is very rich country, both
in mineral and agricultural products,
and it only remains for men of wealth
to develop the vast territory through
which the canal will soon extend.
THE republic abounds with rich
placer mines, which the Indians for
years have been working in their crude
way, bringing their gold to market in
small quantities. In their savage state
they have opposed the invasion of out
siders, but when mining companies are
prepared to enter the domain Of the
Indians they will no doubt find a way
of overcoming opposition. At present
the Government is directing much en-
ergy toward the construction of road
ways and river fords, with the object Of
encouraging the development of the in
terror. where few white men have yet
set foot.
I'm the enactment of our constitution
we abolished all trusts, and thus put all
investors on an equal footing. Before
the constitution was adopted every sta
pie article of consumption was con-
trolled by persons holding special con-
cessions, who fixed prices to suit them
selves and gave the old Government a
commission. Now competition regu-
lates the price of everything, a fact
that the native population was not slow
in approaching. The truth is, the lat
ter was never more contented than I'M
der the present administration. The
people of Panama regard the American
with the greatest respect, looking upon
him as their real savior.
I'VE expect to see the Panama canal
completed within ten years. Already 40
per cent of it is completed, and the
work is advancing most satisfactorily
of course, the commission will soon in
crease the force of workmen, who. will
be engaged mainly from the native
population. At present the plans for