Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-10-26
HONDURAS DEBT RIDDEN
Each Man, Woman and Child
Owes $500 for Nation.
Mostly Created by Loan-Shnrk Methods
country willing to Agree to
Pay Ten Dollars TO Get
One.

Honduras, probably an unknown land to
more Americans than any other country OF
the western hemisphere, presents many
difilcultles to the traveller, according 10 r.
j. Goungblood in a comm unicaton TO the
National Geographic society, part "a
which has been released by the society "a
the following bulletin:
This country, which is just little lar
ger than the State of Pennsylvania, has
population of only a little more Tran
half a million. 1t has the largest per
capita debt of any nation on the face of
the globe except New Zealand-at least
it had before the present European war
upset all statistical conditions. Each man,
woman and child in the land owes 500 for
the nation, and most of this debt was ere
ated by loan-shark methods, for Honduras
would agree to pay $40 in order to get
one--or some such ridiculous proportion
The name of the country is said to be
derived from a Spanish term meaning
DEPTH the early explorers having found
difficulty in striking water shallow enough
for anchorage. They were so deligh,c
when they reached the Nicaraguan shore
nearby that they called the headland Cap,
Gracias a dos Cape Thanks to Cod.
name it still holds.
1T is voyage of % days from San
Francisco to Amapala, the Pacific coast
port of TeSucigalpa, the inland capital OF
Honduras. 1t is not the distance which
necessitates so long a time, but the SLOW
boats and the numerous stops at Mexican
and Guatemalan ports in order to dis
charge freight
"Tegucigalpa has the unenviable distinc
ton of being the only capital city in North
or South America which Is not connected
with the seaboard by rail. The three-dav
! no MAJ fheref0re.
on mue-hack with heavy baggage sent
| forward by the slower oxcart
"A mozo or servant is hired with the
mules. He is an absolute necessity to the
| stranger and is usually sent to the traveller
| by the owner from whom the animals have
! been hired. The mozo practically ar
ranges the days journey; he packs ana
| saddles the mules. shows the way. does
any odd thing desired while on the road,
and may be depended on always to get
| house for the night. for, except in Amapa-
/ la, Tegucigalpa, Puerto Cortes, or the
largest places. so-called hotels cannot re
. found.
AS rule the night will be spent IN Il
native house. sometimes little more than
| a hut. built of mud, matched or rooted
with tiles One is apparently always vol
! come to the best the house affords; but
| hammock part of the travellers outfit
is n necessity. for the beds of stretched
bull hide or canvas are usually occupied
if not by those at whose home you are
a guest. then by other residents greatly
to be feared
! Everybody sleeps in one roonl--men
women and children together. Your hoses
are curious, but politely so, watching YOU
undress and get into your hammock, WI T.
a calm stare that must not be considered
impairment, for a white man is not an
everyday visitor. !, myself, rarely un
dressed completely. Sometimes I wo Ill
only take off hat coat, and boots some
times only my hat, for sleeping in ono ;;
clothes becomes second nature after
awhile, and bathing and changes of linen
can be better INDUCED in along the road
side.
/ Arrived in Tegucigalpa, one discovers
that it is not necessary to carry large
| outfit from the States. The city, with tn :
adjacent town of Comayaguela, boasts a
population of from 120ol to 1000 and ha ;
| many good stores where almost all the
ordinary things required on such a trio
can he purchased
/ In time the country will he far bette
it undoubtedly holds great mineral wealth
| among its natural resources. 1t is said 20
he the most backward Of all the Central
American republics, and it will remain SO
/ until railroads cross the country and ;he
government becomes stable. Then therc
will he great opportunities here for mary
! and Americans and American capital vii.
always he welcome"