El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-01-13

- ALNADOR is the smallest of the Il
- republics of the new world, but
what it lacks in size is made up
by population-it is the most thickly
inhabited of them all. Only six of the
states of our own country have q denser
pOpulation-Rhode Island, Massachu-
setts, New jersey, New York, Pennsyl-
vania and Connecticut. If the United
States, as a whole, were as populous
in proportion it would show over 400,
600, 900 inhabitants at the forthcoming
census.
1t was the little republic of Salvador
that first declared its independence of
Spain. Venezuela had done in South
America It's plan was to annex itself
to the United States. and government
actually had been formed for that pur-
pose The formal resolutions applying
for admission TO the union were pass
ed. and a delegation began preparations
for the journey to Washington.
But before the start was made the
, other Central American states Joined
Salvador in declaring their freedom
from Spanish rule and they decided
that a little United States Of their own
was about the right thing for them. SO
the, application of Salvador for ad-
mission to the union was never received
officially. The United States of Cen
trail America was created, but its dis
Indignation quickly followed
only Touches One Ocean
Salvador is the only Central Ameri-
can republic that does not touch both
oceans-it is contiguous only to the Pa
cific ocean 1t has no real harbOrs.
Its ports are on open roadsteads, where
the passenger and freight must be
landed by lighters. The passengers are
lowered into the lighters by a cage at
tached to the hosting machinery of the
ship, and when they land they are taken
in cir Cac at m he mis-
derricks.
Cattle are lifted aboard by heavy
ropes fastened TO their l.orns. OF course
they kick and squirm and twist. and
sometimes a steers horns break and
he falls heavily to the lighter, perhaps
breaking his neck or leg. If this hap
pens his throat IS cut and he bleeds 20
death If there were a society for the
prevention of cruelty TO animals in Sal
vador short shift would be made of this
method of handling cattle. Horses are
placed in a sort of sling when they are
loaded or unloaded. which is far more
humane in its results.
Men Love Sports
The men of Salvador are much given
to sports, and among these cock fight
ing and bull fighting have first place
Professional cock trainers are employ
ed, and they spend much time in trying
TO teach the young birds to be good
generals. No Jeffries was ever trained
with more patience than a Salvadorean
fighting cock is coached by these pro-
fessionals. Some of the birds wear
spurs that are as sharp as knives, and
the trainer who can teach them to han
die these to the best advantage is sure
to have his services in great demand.
1t is barbarous while it lasts, but the
battle is short Americans have tried
70 persuade the Salvadoreans 10 fight
= fr-le
sport is TOO tame for them
At Christmas time the mind of the
average Central American turns toward
religious things. In Honduras II takes
the form of the enactment of the Pas
sion Play, though it has degenerated
from sacred performance into a sort
of fantastic spectacle to amuse the
rabbIe. In Salvador it usually finds
expression in the enactment of the
scenes of the Alteration The best room
in the house is often fitted up like a
stable with a manger. and sometimes the
scene is made the more real by bring
ing in donkeys. The shepherds and
the wise men are there, and on the
whole il is a realistic production. There
is much rivalry between the various
families of a community to make the
best display, with the result that many
lavish scenes are arranged.
Land of Volcanoes.
Salvador is a veritable land of VOL
canoes, there being II of them within
sight OF San Salvador the capital. OF
these, however. only two are active the
others having become extinct years ago.
The country is so crowded, however
that the people pay but little attention
to the volcanoes. getting as close to
them as the stream of lava will per-
nit. Although Salvador is crowded.
its people are able to raise more than
they need themselves, and have a big
balance of trade on their side of the
ledger. According to the latest avail
able figures they were able TO sell SIS
worth of products for every 81 worth
they had TO buy. The balance of trade
in their favor is almost as great in
proportion as that of the United States
itself
The transportation facilities in this
part of the world are so poor that the
American fault Of packing goods lightly
and insecurity results in much damage
The harbors are choked with sand so
that the cargOes of ships must be con-
veyed through the surf on lighters for
distances varying from one to three
miles. After goods reach the shore they
must be transferred 10 the interior in
canoes, on the backs of mules and fire.