Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-18
HONDURAS, A
 LOAN SHARK VICTIM
Win Be Better Known Some Day. Possesses Great Natural Resources.
Special to The Bulletin.)

( Special to The Bulletin)
 Washington, b C., Dec. 17-Hon- duras, probably an unkown land to more Americans than any other coun- try of the Western Hemisphere. pre- sents many difficulties to the traveleN according to F, J. Youngblood in q communication to the National Geo. graphic Society, q part of which has been released by the Society as the following bulletin:
 This country. which is just little larger chan the state of Pennsy9van1as has a population of only a nttl0 more than half million. It has the larg- est per capita debt Of any nation on the face of the globe e0cept New Zea- land--at least 1t had before the pres- ent European war upset all statistical conditions. Each man, woman and nation, and most of this debt was created by loan-shark methods, for Honduras would agree to pay $fo in order to get one-or some such rddtC- uaous proportion.
 '~The name of the country iE said to be derived from Spanish term mean ing depth, the early explorers having found difficulty in striking water shall low enough for anchorage. They were so delighted when they reached the called the headland Cape Gracias a Dios fCape Thanks to God), . name 1t stiil holds.
 Tt is voyage of g days from San Francisco to Amapala, the Pacific coast port for Tegucigalpa, the inland capital of Honduras. It is not the distance which necessitates so long g merous stops at Mexican and Guats- malan ports in order to discharge freight
 "Tegucieaapa has the unenviable distinction of being the only capital city in North or South America which is not connected with the seaboard' by rail. The three-days journey inland must be made, therefore. on mule- back, with heavy baggage sent for- ward 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 arranges the days jour ney; he packs and saddles the mules, shows the way, does any cd things de- sired while on the road, and may be the night, for, except in Amapala, leg ucigalpa, Puerto Cortes, or the largest places, so-called hotels cannot be found.
 As rule the night will be spent in native house, sometimes little more than a hut, built of mud, thatched or roofed with tiles. One is apparently always welcome to the best the house affords; but a hammock as part of the travellers outfit is a necessity, for the beds of stretched bull-hide or can- vas 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 room men, women and children together. Your hosts are curious, but politely so, watching you undresS and get into your hancock. with a calm stare that must not be considered impertinent visitor. I, myself rarely undressed completely. Sometimes I would only take off hat, coat and boots; some times only my hat, for sleeping in ones clothes becomes second nature after awhile, and bathing and changes Of linen can be better indulged in along the roadside
 Arrived in Tegucigalpa, one dis covers that it is not necessary to carry q large outfit from the states. The city with the adjacent town of Com ayaguela, boasts a population of from 2,000 to 15,000> and has many good stores where almost all the ordinary things required on such trip can be purchas ased
 Tn time the country will be far bet ter known than it is at present, seems to be, for it undoubtedly holds great wealth among it's natural re- sources. It is said to be the most backward of all the Central American republics, and it will remain so until railroads cross the country and the government becomes stable Then there will be great opportunities here for many and Americans and Aneri can capital will always be welcome"