New-York tribune., 1909-07-31
4 CITY OF MISFORTUNE.
Former Disasters IN 4capuIc0, "HT-
Dor of Beautiful WdterS.

r.t,Ie Acapulco. with its five thousand inhabi-
tants has achieved worldwide fame a city of
misfortune.
Twice this year has it been the scene of casas
trephe On February Is three hundred persons
were burned to death when the Flores Theatre was
set on oy a moving picture machine and de
stroyed at a special performance in honor of Gov
ernor Flores of the State Of Guerro.
Several times before the city has been damaged
by severe earthquakes. In fact, the State Of
Guerrero is known rs the home of seismic dis
turbsnoes. It's severest shock occurred in 1907
The whole region suffered and Chilpancingo, the
capital city was practically destroyed. In 1905
Chilapa, a city Of fifteen thousand inhabitants
was badly damaged, and March p of the same
year that city again shaken, completing the
ruin OF the former shock.
Nevertheless, Acapulco. beset by tropic Perils
and cursed by a not, unhealthy climate, is one OF
the most beautiful spots in the world It's name
q corruption and abbreviation Of Aque Pulchrse
beautiful watersl, rings true. The coast at u'is
point is sheer cliff Not till the steamer is almost
upon il does the bluff walled 2lue channel 10 Aca-
puico Harbor appear
At the end + the winding passage IS broad
hay, lined with rolling hills, covered with thlck
forest. The town lies on the north shore and abou'
the hills rich plantations.
Cortez himself discovered this bay in 1881, and II
was then the history Of Acapulco began From
there he the expedition which discovered
sinalos and there perisbed From Acapulco. also
fernando de Alarcon set sail in 15i0 10 discover
California AnG 1t quaint niue Old place, Hioie
Mexican and artistic than most of the MeNl-
can ports The alluring old plaza" says Charles
F. Lumnis, with the quaint bulk OF the church
behind and at side the stalls and tatters of an
unspoiled Mexican market place, and the buildings
standing up a second story-these are good, but
better is beyond I suppose has never known
a more perfect stroll than that by moonlight from
the plaza 10 the fort Away from the more
crowded centre. up soping street OF ancient paw
Ing half tunnel-Iike. gigantic amates, whose
ten-foot trunks stand clumsy tiptoe of arched
roots with furtiee oopholes between these and the
high-thatched cabins the moonlit bay, and under
the ponderous bastions which laughed at Morelos,
but opened to the first knock of Maximilian-it is
Acapulco Harbor one OF the finest ia the world.
231 miles southwest of Mexico City, of which
fl was formerly the seaport. II had been for cen
turies the chief centre Of commerce with the
Philippine Islands, well with China and India
BY pack trail the merchandise went overland from
Acapulco Mexico City and points beyond Then
came the railroad through from the capital to san
Bias. and with it departed the commercial i'm
portance Of Acapulco.
Chilapa with a population Of l2o0o. is the largest
city in Guerrero. Chilpaneingo, the capital, is
small Iown IN the centre Of The state, about TWO
hundred miles from Mexico City and about one
hundred and miles from the coast 1t was
well built and lighted by electricity. Its popula-
ton was about 1000