The San Francisco call., 1913-09-25
NEW OCEAN
FOUND BY
BALBOA!
Darian Commandant, After
Thrilling March, Reaches
Great Body of Water

PANAMA. Sept. 25. 1513.-A great
body of salt water, evidently an ocean,
was discovered at noon today by
Nasco Nunez Balboa, commandant of
the Spanish forces in Darian. The ex-
tent of the waters has not yet been
determined, but it is confidently be-
lieved that they extend TO the coast
of the Indies, and that ultimately they
will receive the name of the Pacific
ocean. At late hour this afternoon
no name had yet been applied. Cap
tain Balboa said he would consider
that point later. The captain was
much gratified by his discovery and
said that undoubtedly his name would
go down in fame with that of Admiral
Christopher Columbus. in whom Bal
boa seems still TO have great conf
dence.
AIDED BY FULyIA
However. the commandant admits
that II ii had not been for a young
woman friend. Fulvia, an Indian or
Carib girl. he would not have dis
covered this new ocean.
The achievement of Captain Balboa
Is due largely to his desire to rein
state himself in the good graces of
the king of Spain.
Since he has been in the West In
dies the captain has not been always
in good fortune His debtors at Hayti.
from whom he escaped by hiding in
cargo cask that was taken aboard
a ship bound for Darian, have made
it unpleasant for the discoverer. Since
he has been in Darian he has had in
timations that his enemies were plot
ting against him before the Spanish
court. Early this month he decided
TO rehabilitate his fortune by offering
q wonderful discovery to the king
and queen On September he
started from Antigua with 100 Span
iards and 1000 Indians and cruised
down the coast OF the Caribbean to
a point on this isthmus opposite the
gulf of San Miguel
On September he started on his
march across the isthmus, which at
this point seems to be about so miles
wide.
BATTLES WITH INDIANS
His travels were continually harassed
by the Indians and several hard bat
ties were fought which Balboa won.
With great wisdom and kindness Bal
boa made friends with all his foes
after each battle, so that he will not
be bothered in the future. Yesterday
the most severe fight was held. when
1000 Indians were repulsed a the VII
lage Of Quarequa. Then Balboa was
informed by Fulvia and her brother
that he was very near the great
water.
Leaving his men this morning, Bal
boa rushed in advance lip a steep
peak and from it's height beheld the
limitless body of water lying to the
south and west. He was alone when
he made the discovery. He then
called his men and let them feed their
= efr II
emn mass was sung. Balboa plans
next to go TO the waters and take
possession in the name of the crown
of Spain.
NEW ROUTE TO CHINA
When seen after the discovery.
Balboa. with modesty becoming such
an explorer. said:
Yes, | feel that I have made a
great discovery. for l am confident
that the ocean now before us offers
us direct communication with China.
! may say that our discovery today
should take rank next to the dis
covery of this hemisphere, made some
q years ago by Admiral Columbus,
for whom ] have the most profound
admiration.
But I would be doing wrong if I
assumed full credit for the enterprise,
for it is largely due to the advice of
my good friend Fulvia, that / under
took this work
Furthermore, / would venture the
prediction that. as this isthmus is but
SO miles wide. I think 1t possible that
q canal might be put through some
day to facilitate commerce"
lThe above is story of the dis
coyery of the Pacific as it would have
been written were newspapers OF
the present time in existence 400
years ago.-Ed.1
SHIPS AT SEA DIP FLAGS