The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-04
~ THOMAS n. DAwLEY. JR.

X/uCATAN. the richest State of
" Mexico. has revolted from
Mexican rule and purposes to
sail its own ship Of State once
more, free and independent. Although
annexed to Mexico the people OF Yu-
catan have never considered them
selves Mexicans. but have proudly
retained the name Yucateco.
Not only is Yucatan the richest
State Of Mexico. but for its area it is
said to be the richest country in the
world. Yet 1t is so poor in produce
necessary for the sustenance of man
kind that were its importat!ons Of food
shut off its people would starve. II Is
a land without fertility of soil. with
out single river or flowing stream
a fat, arid country, yet producing
more wealth per capita uhan any other
country in the world.
And notwithstanding its arid!ty, its
hot climate and its seemingly indolent
people IL Is the most stable and enter
pisng State of all Mexico. When the
rest Of Mexico was seeking foreign
loans and borrowing money TO develop
its natural resources and to build its
railroads Yucatan was building its
own railroad with its own money
through its own initiative and with
It's own people. When foreign cap!-
talists were establishing banks in
Mexico Yucatan established its own
banks with its own capital and with
Us own directors and employees.
TRAY Tiers and shippers rid.culed
them when they learned that the
HI
railroad by beginning it at their capt.
tai in the interior hauling all the rails
and other construction material in
carts overland from the coast, but
tn re proved 10 be reason in this
seem.n g foolishness. A good deal Of
the peoples money was invested in
cart trains hauling goods between
Merida and Progreso and the rail-
road meant the destruction of this in
dustry, so the cavtmen We're given an
opportunity to make all they could
before being put out of business by
the completion of the railroad.
The people OF Yucatan present the
paradox of being both progressive
and emit rpris.ng and at the same time
remarkably conservative. / have seen
On the streets al Progreso individuals
o. s-cd in white cotton shirt and
trousers, with sandals on their feet
ana sold gold buttons down their
fronts. And such feet and sandals
Fee, that would make a Trilby en-
N.oIS because Of their small size per-
i''t shape and rudy color and sandals
mat would have excited the pride Of a
Roman patrician because of their cost
Incss and workmanship.
Az frontier post in Guatemala
! nave seen such an individual with
pack train loaded with hempen goods
arrive after a journey of many days
through the wilds Of Yucatan just as
sp'k and span as he would be on
n" streets Of Merida. On the frontier
OF Guatemala ! have seen comely
l'ilan girls such as are found In
Merida wearing spo,less white cotton
'HL.os dclicately embroidered at the
neck and falling in graceful folds over
white skirts of the same material
embroidered at the hem. From their
hc'fs commonly dangle long chains
l. Ing below the waist and suspending
delicate cross, both the crosses and
the chains being Of native workman
EMP and of solid gold.
'''H' are Mdsd tyPes vi the i'i'
and women Of Yucatan, and although
conquered and subdued race for
nearly four centuries they have
methodlcally refused to speak the
language Of their cOnquerors. You
may want their bread and meat, and
although you may offer them shining
SILVER and brighter god they will not
hdFgain with you unless you speak
with them In the language of their
ancestors. Yet their leaders are
bnsinessllke people and speak both
Rnguages, Maya and Spanish, equally
wol.
have known individuals Of the
ancient Maya race who have fed from
'h'ernecine strife to settle under the
Protecting flag OF Great Britain. with