New-York tribune., 1921-03-08
The Safest Place in Costa Ricn

the last SIX weeks, happened to be in
Panama City the day before the Ulua's
passengers arrived there. and wit
messed the preliminary activities ofthc
Panamans in mobiliZing troops and
getting the first contingent off to war.
In Panama City. he says, the police
are subject to the first summons to
war. One hundred policemen needed
The opening summons, and dutifully
transferred themselves to the military
q matter of no small advantage in
the way Of pay and food.
But. no matter how suddenly war
depr'ves Panama City of its police,
there is never an opening left for law
Breakers. The fremcn of the city are
required to substitute as policemen.
On February %, the day the policemen
were called from their beats to help
maintain Panama's, place in the equa-
torial sun, the city tremen, uniform ed
in red shirts. gay trousers and f1arins
patent leather helmets, took over the
policcmens beats.
Uniforms Nondescript
February 25 witnessed more in
Panama City than this dramatic Shift
ing o. the police and fire forces. Re
cruitlnG stations were set up to take
care of the volunteers VINO began to
pour in. Young Cincinnati, who had
deserted their hammocks ~ the first
summons, came in without shoes and
coats. These were equipped as fast as
the ranaman quartermastcrs depart
ment could supply them. Most Of them
did net get complete uniforms, and q
nondescript effect was obtained, but
all had good shoes and new leather
leggiags.
Most Of the guns, which had been
brought in by gun runners at the time
OF the latest revolution--an unusually
long time a@o, as such things run il
the tropic belt-were undeniably rusty
Emery cloth was assigned to the sol
diers, and, as they went through thei,
first drills, the recruits were kept busy
polishing. Tourists believe there is q
big trade opportunity for Yankee deal:
crs in polishing materials.
The final review of the army was
held in the evening, and just before
the soldiers marched away to war they
were led through the streets of Pan.
the only musical organization which
could be mustered into marching order
According to DR.. Davis, governmental
leaders in Panama were stalking much
on the possibility of borrowing troop.
/ ship from the United States. Failinp
in this, the belief was general that
| the war would be of short duration be
cause of the inability of either side t.
transport troops quickly to the scene
of hostilitics.
When the Ulua arrived at Port Ii.
mon artillery target practice was unde,
way. The one artillery piece in the
port was mounted on the end of 8
! pier The cannon was a muzzle- der
and the artillerymen were firing at 8
fioatlng target, which was still with
out evidences Of damage at the end OF
the first days practice. according te
the ulua's passengers and crew.
Four-Minute Men There. Too
In the opinion of the tourists. if
oratory is to win the war Costa Rica
wall be victor by wide margin. There
were more orators on the Port Limon
street corners than in Panama CITY.
and all were telling their audiences in
Spanish that every citizen of Costa
Rica should join the army and march
against Panama.
In the capital of Costa Rica the
tourists found speechmaking on every
corner and bands and orchestras play
ing. Dr.. Davis said that in conversa-
ton "ltn prominent Costa Rican citi-
zens he WAS told that the strip Of lan1
eve. which war is being wased has
been believed for many wears 10 hrln 81
TO Costa Rica. The feeling is. Dr. Dayi5
says, that the United States will act