Evening journal., 1921-03-12
COMIC OPERA
WAR ON ISTHMUS
Costa Rican Natives Mob
Yankees, Then Go to
Sleep
THEY FIGHT IN
THEIR BARE FEET

other day. at least IN It's opening
STAGES. seems to be akin to the rules
laid down by the late o. Henry, ac-
cording TO the combined opinion OF
passengers on the United Fruit liner
Jnua, arriving in New York from
the scene Of hostilities.
The Ulua, from Cristobal and
Panama City. Panama, and Port Ii
mon and san Jose, Costa Rica, car
ried 1O4 tourists. who said they
would not trade their experiences
within the mobilization areas for a
whole lifetime Of the ordinary vaca-
tion events that get into the photo
graph albums at home.
The passengers were in Panama
City the night OF February 25 and
witnessed the mobilization OF the
rirst contingent Of the Panaman
army. They arrived In Limon before
the first Costa Rican troopship had
sailed and witnessed the mobiliza-
tion and training Of the first Costa
Rican recruits February %.
whether they were in or out Of
favor. the tourists found II rather
embarrassing TO be Americans at
such a trying time. Rumor concern
ing America nintentions seemed to
be fleet and variable, and il was
never known just what sort of a re-
ceptlon was in store. Feeling against
Americans was strong during the
FIRST half day the tourists were in
Costa Rica- This was due to a re-
port coming from Panama that the
United States was going to take up
arms against Costa Rica In behalf OF
Panama.
This propaganda cost the United
Fruit Company most OF the windows
in its commisary building in Port
Limon. Angry Costa Ricans let
themselves be diverted from the
main business OF bleeding Panama
white and. gathering stones and
other missiles, smashed in every
Yankee window that was within
throwing distance. The demonstra-
tion amounted to a street riot. and
probably would have been renewed
in the cooler portion OF the day, only
for the fact that about siesta time a
report arrived that the news from
Panama was false.
BY the time the tourists had ar
rived in San Jose, the capital city OF
Costa Rica. on the railroad between
the seacoast and the interior, Dame
Rumor was footing Il around with
the information that the visitors
we're a delegation from the United
states. come 70 settle the war. The
capital turned out and gave the vis-
itors a demonstration OF welcome,
which more than made amends for
the dubious feeling engendered at
Port Limon.
Dr. A. o. Davis, OF Chartered. Pa
who has been on a vacation trip for
the last six weeks. happened 20 be In
Panama City the day before the
ulua's passengers arrived there, and
witnessed the preliminary activities
OF the Panamans In mobilizing
troops and getting the first contin-
gent of 70 war In Panama City, he
SAYS. the police are subject TO the
first summons to war. One hundred
policemen needed the opening sum-
mons. and dutifuliy transferred
themselves 70 the military matter
Of no small advantage in the way OF
pay and food.
But. no matter how suddenly war
dcprives Panama City Of its po-
lice. there Is never an opening left
for law-breakcrs. The firemen OF
the city are required 20 substitute as
policemen. On February %, the day
the policemen were called from
their beats TO help maintain Pana-
mas place in the equatorial sun. the
city fremen, uniformed in red shirts
gay trousers and fiaring patent leath-
er helmets, took over the policemen
beats.
Uniform Nondescript.
February rs witnessed more II
Panama City than this dramati,
shifting OF the police and FIRE forces
Recruiting stations were set mp Il
take care OF the volunteers who be.
gan 70 pour in. Young Cincinnati
who had deserted their hammocki
at the first summons. came In with
out shoes and coats. These wer'
equipped as fast as the Panamar
quartormaster's department coult
supply them. Most Of them did no
get complete uniforms, and a non
descript effect was obtained. but al
had good shoes and new leather
leggings.
Most Of the guns. which had beer
brought in by gun runners at the
time Of the latest revolution
unusually long time ago. as sucl
things run in the tropic believer,
undenlably rusty. Emery cloth wa
assigned TO the soldiers. and, as the
went through their first drills, tn,
recruits were kept busy polishing
Tourists believe there is big trad,
opportunity for Yankee dealers IL
polishing materials.
The final review Of the army wa
held in the evening, and just befor
the soldiers marched away 10 wa
they were led through the streets o
Panama City by the Salvation Arm
band--the only musical organiza
tion which could be mustered int
marching order.
According to DR.. Davis. govern
mental leaders in Panama yer
stalking much on the possibility ,
borrowing a troopship from n
United States Failing in this, II
belief was general that the W.
would be Of short duration becau
OF the inability Of either side
transport troops quickly TO q
scene OF hostiiities.
When the Ulua arrived at Pc
Limon, artillery target practice W
under way. The one artillery pie
In the port was mounted on the ei
OF a pier. The cannon was a mu
zle-loader, and the artillerym
were firing at floating targ'
which was still without evidences