Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-12-29
Mistellansous Readina.
PANAMA.
A Land Of Very Great Future Posi-
bilities.
A and Of Gpeat Possibilities

btlitioS.
A Land of Great Possibilities.
The end of the construction period
for the Panama canal Is now fairly ir
sight. The backbone of the work ha.
been broken, and we can safely count
on its being carried through to a sue.
cessful completion. Seemingly oui
vision goes no further.
u The construction period has meant
activity and prosperity such as the re.
gion never saw before. not only the
canal zone proper, but all Panama and
its environs. When this period has
gone and the vast construction army
has dwindled to the small permanent
maintenance force will the isthmus re-
lapse into its former state Of somno-
lence? So far as the people on the
work have speculated about the mat
ter that seems to be the opinion. I'm
fortunately these people though on the
ground have their whole perspective
so taken up by their immediate task
that they are unable to see beyond 1t.
They and we have been so busy actu-
ally digging the canal that we have
had no time for other matters that
concern US so nearly.
AS a matter Of fact unless all signs
fail the opening of the canal will be
only the beginning Of the real history
Of Panama and in a less degree Of all
Central America. This country is at
present merely mountain and jungle
and save for the sprinkling Of Indians
and negro squatters along the coast
II is uninhabited. Its climate has
borne an evil reputation since Bal
boa's day. But already the canal
builders have done 1t one great service
In taking away the cause Of this repu-
tation and by proving that with
proper and simple precautions white
man can live and do a good days
work as well here as anywhere. More
over the jungle that covers the land
contains vast wealth In wood, the most
precious varieties of wood in the
world. Rosewood, mahogany, lignum
vitae and ebony, are all to be found,
besides the sable tree. which Is as yet
practically unknown to commerce, but
whose wood for ship building and
similar purposes Is considered superior
to teak. At present the forests are to
all intents untouched. What little
wood finds its way into Panama Is
brought in on muleback. necessarily
In small pieces, at prodlgious waste.
Yet you can see ebony trees from your
car window along the line Of the Pan
anna railroad today. With the intro
duction of scientific and modern lum-
bering methods the whole timber
country will lie as open and easy OF
access as the palm Of your hand.
Next In order comes the question Of
power. With the abundant rainfall
the country Is naturally lined with
water. courses. The. famous Chagres
river is Of course already impounded,
but there are many others, the Tor
rendo, the Carreno and Mindi and
some that are not even named. Near
ly all are swift streams, with many
respectable cascades and falls-the
Torrendo, for instance, has eight falls
within a mile. 1t will be a simple
matter to harness them and settle the
power question once and for all.
After the bulk of the forests has
been cleared away the possibilities OF
the country will only begin to be re-
vealed. Camphor and cacao grow
here as well as anywhere in the
world. Most important Of all, rubber
already grows wild in commercial
quantities, and under cultivation the
yield will be enormous.
The possible mineral wealth is hard
ly as yet matter for accurate state
ment 1t is possible to hear all man
ner of glowing tales, but very little
definite information. A very little ac-
tual prospecting has been done and
few claims have been taken up in the
back country. but no practical results
are as yet forthcoming.
All these facts, however. consider
ed merely as separate items, may not
appear of great moment as yet. The
one great fact which links together all
these isolated statements and gives
them all interest and Importance Is
that all these future resources all
these rich possibilities lie grouped
close within easy reach OF the canal
that is to be: that Is. within striking
distance of the new trade routes be-
tween the east and west coasts and all
Europe-all the trade routes Of the
world in fact The Great Pan-Ameri-
can railroad that Is coming will In
tersect at Panama the sea routes to all
the world.
All Central America cannot help
but feel the influence Of the coming
influx of the worlds trade, this sud-
den and unequalled accessibility to all
the worlds markets; but Panama, In
the very heart and vortex Of the new
opportunity. will not only reap the
fullest measure, but take toll Of all the
rest.
Panama Is a quaint and sleepy old
Spanish American town. Practically
everything manufactured is imported
from the United States. This cannot
last. Take the question Of furniture.
as being simple and near home. Do
you suppose that with the finest woods
in the world within a few hours OF
her behind and the world market vide
open berore 1t is more than question
of time before Panama Is manufac-
turing her own furniture, and bidding
against us in the open market for the
export trade? This is only one exam
pie among many possibilities All the
fruits. the products, he raw material
wealth of all CentIa America, the
country whose richness has as yet
been little more than suspected, must
Inevitably flow into Panama. Here on
the isthmus will be the manufactures
and here will the finished product be
brought forth and sent to all the ma
tions. Here on the isthmus will spring
/ off r