The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-01-24

American countries Thee CHARACTERISTICS
are those of an indigenous race.
| / had heard that the anti Yankee senti-
ment here was stronger than in the other
| countries. and had read in the newspa-
pers how the young men of the Juan
Montalvo club had formally repuliated
the Monroe Doctrine, and had started
movement to call a Central Ame.ic
congress which would do the some thing.
Further some accounts had been printed
of meetings TO protest against the re-
public of Panama and of offers TO aid
Colombia. On these and other points L
made inquiries-discl eetly, as | hope.
The substance of the explanations was
in the nature of a protest or renlon-
STRANGE against isolated instances being
ta'-on as proof Of unfriendlincss to the
United States. Various events, it was
stated to me, had given rise TO some in
dications of sentiment hostile to foreign
ers. but this was no more directed against
North Americans than against Euro
peans, including the French. Italians,
and Spaniards, all of whom are of the
Latin race, the identity of which in Cen
trail America the young men of the Juan
Montaivo club, many of themselves prob
ably of Indian blood, want to preserve
by rejecting the Monroe doctrine. Ana
as to their pronunc;amento, when it is
said that they are young men. what
more to be said except that the pro-
posed congress will not be heard of
again?
Them onetary system is conservative,
and the fluctuations are not extreme.
The dollar of the United States is worth
about $3.50 in Salvadorean currency. The
government issued no paper money. but
grants that priY-.ege to the banks These
issue it against silver reserve and un-
der certain restrictions. Five years ago
there was financial crash and most of
the banks went under Since then there
has been conservative financiering, and
this keeps the paper bills stable. A large
amount Of fractional silver is in circula-
ton. 1t comes from various countries,
but the Peruvian sol is the standard A
curious circumstance is the objection or
the natives TO small silver pieces. ). TO-
and 20 cents, of their own government
stamp. 1 have seen no Salvador silver
coin of lees than half dollar a mint IT
one timew as established. but no bouIlion
AAOH - tOAiicd- ~ TIE paper DllIS OF the
banks are emitted against a silver re-
serve. the country is on silver basis
Wages apepar to be fair and the price Of
living reasona 3le
Salvador has an army, and q good one
the accounts given me The artillery IS
especially fine. 1t has the benefit of
French instructors Cne of the European
residents told me that the battery drill
was as good as anything he had seen in
France or Germany Gen. Regalado, the
ex-president, who is still power in pub
lie affairs, has fine reputation as an
artillery commander, and 1t is to him
that the high state of efficiency is credit
ed. Recently some army instructors have
been brought from Chill.
a very complete telegraph and tele-
phone system, controlled by the govern
ment, spreads throughout all sections.
This is true also of the other Central
America ncountries. They take TO the |
telephone as the rural communities in
the United States have done.
The capital city is handsome and en-
terprising. It is growing rapidly. The |
census figures usually credit it with 40 600
to $1,000 but I was assured it could make |
good the claim pf ssee9o-o 500. drove |
out the main Syefnue or Downward. Which, T
Is lined with symbolic statues. in the |
Of an American, WHO said when |
he first came to San Salvador most OF
this avenue was a coffee finca, over
which he rode horseback He has been
here less than ten yea1vi'>.
San Salvador has q local or, better !
said. n national institution. OF which IT rs 7
very proud. This is the bapd of eighty
pieces. The bandmaster is 4 German, !
who has been drilling his pfpfis for thir- |
ty-eight years, and. with the love for I
music which is the birthrieht Of so many |
Something Of the hopes and the. pIblic /
policy of Salvador I learned during al /
evening call on President Esca,on. Tne-,,
president is in the first year of his ternS"
He speaks English like a Yankee, which !
is natural, for he was educated in Bos-
ton. Dr. Morales. the minister of foreign
affairs. also speaks English fluently, as
do many of the public men. Dr. Nor |
ales acquired his knowledge during the
first Pan-American Conference in Wash
ington. where he employed his leisure
to the extent of ten hours a day in learn
ing what until then had been a strange
tongue
President Escalon has pleasant recol-
lections of the years passed in the United