Idaho County free press., 1924-07-31

prepared BY the Nstional Geographic So.
cisty. Washington. d. c.)
When revolutionary trouble threat
ened In Honduras recently. the United
States sent warshIp to the Atlantic,
not the Pacific coast Of the country, q
fact which brings out strikingiy the
conformation Of the Americas. For
though Honduras has q coast line on
both the oceans and though II, as well
as the United States, Is in North
Americs, 1t Is more than three times
IS far between the closest Pacific
ports Of the United States and Hon
duras AZ between their nearest Attain
tic ports Tl4tissssi s''i seis 4aiia
Just before North America trails of
. into the Isthmus of Panama II runs
due east, forming . broad shelf on
the map. This Is the north coast of
Honduras which faces directly the
opening between Cuba and Mexico
and the southern coast Of Florida and
Alabama beyond. Honduras Ia In
reality 4 next-door-but-one nelghbor to
the United States. II II shorter from
New Orleans to Honduras than from
New Orleans to Savannah; and a snip
sailing southward from Key West
weuld reach Honduran territory long
before vessel Of equal speed sailing
north would reach Norfolk.
But In spite OF Its accessibility Hon
duras has been largely neglected by
Americans save by traders In bananas.
The contact with the country has been
confined almost entirely to the coast
lands on the Atlantic side, and be-
yond them Honduras has been in large
part unknown to Americans.
There are two chief arteries Of
travel In Hondurss-one from Anna
pala, on the south coast, to Teguci- |
galpa, the capital; and the other from |
Puerto Cortes, on the north or Allan |
tic coast, to the same place.
Starting from the United States, 1t |
will cost practically the same amount
to reach Tegucigalpa by either port of
entry; but the time taken and the In
met with on the two
roads are vastly different. To reach
steamer may be taken at
San Francisco. The voyage, as a rule,
occupies % days, not because tilis
length of time is necessary TO cover
the distance, but because the boats
are slow, carry cargo and stop for a
few hours, or 1t may be for few
lays, at ports In Mexico, Guatemala
and Salvador. For the traveller who
s In no hurry, this voyage is extreme
y interesting. Ones ship may touch
It Mazatlan, Acapulco and Salina
cruz, In Mexico; Ocos, Champerico
md San Jose, In Guatemala; Acajut-
a. La Libertad and La Union, I'm Sal
'ador.
BY Automobile or Mule.
Until quite recently 1t has been nee
ssary to continue the journey from
Amapala by mules to Tegucigalpa, the
apital, about ninety miles inland. But
he trail that has served to connect |
he city with the outside world for
enturies has latterly become a road {
nd now one may be trundled to the
apital, though somewhat roughly, by
utomobile. The modern power wag-
n, however, has not been able to 4
boulder out entirely either pack
rules or OK carts, and the traveller
ay still see numerous bales and boxes b
goods transported by these meth a
is II is a fair question whether 1t O
not more satisfactory, indeed, for 4
lie unhurried traveller to go by mule t
3ck in the good old way that has
cen followed since the first Span t
rds entered the land. t
If such a choice is made mozo or b
rvant should also be hired. He Is e
! absolute necessity 10 the stranger
I'd is usually sent to you by the t
vner from whom you have hired the b
limals The mozo practically ar el
nges your days Journey; he packs ! Sc