The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-22

States are being rapidly franspi~nso1 to the Isthmus.
 The Panamanians are not a very pleasant lot of people to deal with. Ine territory under the perpetual control of the United States cuts their country half in two. Both their capital ana their next most important city are uh- der American control 50 far as santa ton is concerned. and the United states has the right 10 step In and maintalh peace, whenever she shall deem It nec- essary. The one railroad in the eirepuo1 lie, the chief means of communication between her principal cities. Is owned by the United States, In fact, so anx- ious was Panama to get the s10,o00.0oo the United States was to pay her Tor the privilege of building the canal, and for the annual rental of the territory that she made every concession the United States could ask. Now, sorry that she is not getting more for it, the republic proceeds to hold up the Unl- ted States whenever opportunity at- lords.
 The United States has its own postal system In the Canal Zone. When the mail arrives in Colon from abroad 1t IS immediately put on American trains. hauled to American postofiices, and dis tributed by American clerks When 1t leaves the Isthmus 1t Is mailed in American postofices, and Is handled by Americans until 1t reaches the ship In which it4is to be carried away No Panama official touches 1t at any stage of it's travels. Yet the Panama gov- ernment insists that 1t shall have 40 per cent of the revenue from the sale of stamps on the Zone. As the stamp sales amount to some $5000O a year 1t will be seen that the republic profits are $20,0o0 in that time.
 Some time ago the Central and South American Telegraph Company wanted to land the new "All American cable in the Canal Zone They replied to the United States for permission to land 1t, which was granted. The Panamanians fought against 1t under every possible pretext, their desires be- ing to have their permission regarded as essential, so that they could get good fee for the concession. But in this case the United States told her in effect that she had no interest in the matter, and so the cable was laid. The only way the Republic of Panama can transport it's prisoners from Colon to Panama is through the Canal Zone. Each time 1t was necessary to take any prisoners through, the government notified the Canal Zone authorities. The Governor of the Zone always re- piled by granting permission. Some time since he received letter from the Panamanian Secretary of State in which that official said that the noti- fications were sent, not for the purpose of asking permission to enter the Zone with their prisoners, but for the pur- pose of notifying the Zone officials so that they could aid the Panama police | in the event of necessity. He said | there was no occasion to ask permie- sion. since the treaty gave them the right Governor Blackburn replied that as he understood the treaty there 4~ .aAr. PanaTnanian police any right to exer- else their functions on the highways of the Zone, and that they could only do so by permission of the Zone govern ment. Since then the Panamanians have been quiet on the subject.
 A great many public Improvements are being carried forward in the Zone aside from the canal project itself. The water supply of the Zone and of the cities of Panama and Colon comes from rivers in the Zone which flow out of unsettled mountain regions. The reservoir which supplies the city of Panama and the settlements for ten miles inland along the line of the Panama railroad, has a capacity of over 800. .O00.o0 gallons. The average daily water consumption of the city is ap- proximately S00s000 gallons. The charges are heavy. for the water rates have to be high enough to liquidate in fifty years. the indebtedness of the city for its construction, and at the same time pay the United States for build ing the sewerage system and for pav- ing the streets. The same conditions prevail in Colon. Before the American occupation the water was about as bad as any one can imagine. It was taken from questionable sources, and peddled around by dirty water carriers. Yet the natives have been very critical of hA A Avfa tA. d. a., stallation of the present system. They say that 1t does not taste good. Ana lyses show however, that it compares favorably with the supplies of most American cities. There is an unpleas- ant odor about it, however, which is said to be caused by harmless crus- tacea found in standing water in all tropical countries.
 The postal service of the Zone Is good Mails are delivered very promptly upon the arrival of the steam CTS. and are dispatched close up to the hour of scheduled sailings. A full and satisfactory telephone service is main tained, and roads and trails are being built which will make future com munication by private conveyance very easy. It is the intention, ultimately. to have a god public highway built between Colon and La Boca, and when the Canal is in operation the tourist | may have comfortable and leisurely drive across the Isthmus while his ship goes through the Canal. These roads will be built by convict labor, so that there will be but little real expense connected with 1t.
 Taken all in all the Canal Zone is one of the best governed places in the world. A well organized police force maintains order, and everything that a state may do for the comfort and welfare of the individual is to be found. The people of this little near state are contented and happy, and the foundations of system of government have been laid which are expected to endure as long as the canal exists. As good roads and other internal improve ments are perfected 1t is expected that most of the lands of the Zone will be taken up, and a thoroughly American settlement will be established.
 After the canal is completed, and the men settle down to work for them
 selves instead of for the government, they will probably ask that they be allowed to have a voice in the govern ment of the Zone. They may be given it. together with a delegate in Con- | gress.
 (copyright, 1908. by Frederick J Has