The Western outlook., 1915-12-18

- A LuC OHlISu oLdISo lie
countries of Central America
will be the opening of the new rail
way connecting Mexico and Guate
mala, writes w. D. Hornaday in Grit.
But for the revolution in Mexico this
important link in the long-talked of
line OF railway, that is destined ulti-
mately to extend all the way to the
Isthmus of Panama, and perhaps to
the countries Of South America that
border upon the Pacific ocean, would
have been in regular operation ere
this.
According to reports from Guate-
mala the work of extending the Pa
ciAc division Of the international
Railways OF Central America from
Champerico to Ayutla, situated on
the Mexico-Guatemala border, is prac-
tically finished. At Ayutla this line
connects with the Pan-American rail-
road, which runs to San Geronimo on
the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, dis
lance OF 284 miles. The Suchiate
river ferns the boundary line between
Mexico and Guatemala. This stream
is Spawned by costly bridge. On
the Mexican side is the town of
Mariscal and just across the river is
Ayutla
The Guatemala link In the Pan
American keeps close in towards the
Pacific coast, and in places the blue
waters Of the ocean may be seen by
travellers on the trains. At the port
of San Jose the road connects with
the main line that crosses Guatemala
from southwest to northeast, forming
q direct route to the capital and to
Port Barrios, the Atlantic terminus.
The Isthmus of Tehuantepec and
that part Of far southeastern Mexico
that is traversed by the Pan-Ameri-
can railroad possesses many features
Of interest to the world-traveler or to
the man who takes delight in pene-
trating out-oftheway places and who
loves the beauties of nature. 1t also
has attracted many American colon
lists. When travel to and from Mex
leo was interrupted by the internal
strife that has so long afflicted the
country, American colonists and tour
lists were just beginning to get ac-
quainted with the remote region that
was made accessible to them by the
construction Of the Mexico division
Of the Pan-American railroad.
Region of Great Interest.
Ali the way from Cordoba to Maris-
cal there are many wonderful things
to be seen, but 1t Is not until the
Isthmus Of Tehuantepec is reached
that the full bloom beauty Of riotous
nature, with its deep-green hued YER
dure, it's picturesque life and customs
of the careful natives, greet the eye.
The encroachment Of civilizing IN
fuences has left but little impress
upon the town and village of the
Tehuana Indians. Their chief popula-
ton center is Tehuantepec, which is
located on the National Tehuantepec
railroad within few miles of Salina
Cruz, the Pacific coast terminus of
that trans-isthmian line. In all Mexico
there is no place Of more absorbing
interest and strange attraction to the
visitor than Tehuantepec. There is
little in common between the Tehuana
Indians and the other native tribes
of the country in the matter of Gus
toms and everyday life.
The Tehuana men are of very or
binary type, both in point of physique
and standard of intelligence, but the
women as class are the prettiest
and most attractive in all Mexico
They resemble in mobility and beauty
of features as well as in physical
charm the famous native Polynesian
women OF some of the groups Of South
Pacific islands. They are the heads
Of the households. The Tehuana men
are anything but their lords and mas
ters. Practically all of the trade in
the markets and stores is carried on
by the women. The sloven-looking
and unattractive male members of
the tribe lounge around and live off