White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1933-03-30

to the south, which constitute the lead
ing coffee section of the republic.
An ancient Indian village existed on
the site Of Managua when the Span
iards arrived. The town was of little
Importance until 1858 when the fill
clustering expedition of William Walk
err strangely improved its lot. The RI
val cities Of Leon and Granada had
been capitals alternately. Walkers in
vasion united the factions and Man
aqua became the compromise capital
Making Managua Better.
The town is laid out in squares. Nx-
cept for the National palace (the
Capitol building) and the presidents
residence, most of the buildings in
Managua were small and low. They
were constructed for the most part Of
a soft volcanic stone or Of mud bricks
(adobe). These large, crude bricks
are laid in a wooden frame and are
plastered inside and out. These build
ings were not highly inflammable when
standing and fires have been confined
usually to single structures.
Until recently Managua has had dirt
streets-alternately dusty and muddy
and has lacked sanitary convent
ences. During the last few years
REINFORCEMENT campaign
has been carried out under the super
vision of American contractors and en-
gineers. The town has been furnished
with electric lights, waterworks, sew
ers, and paving. Approximately one
third of the streets have been paved.
There Is good sized American coll
ony in Managua, probably several hum
bred civilians. A modern airport built
by the United States marine forces
has helped Managua to become one
of the leading air terminals in Latin
America. Here passengers en- route
to or from South America must change
| planes
| Leon and Granada are centuries-old
! rivals for the distinction Of being Mica
raguas capital. Each city was found
ed in 1928 and in the succeeding two
| and a half centuries the seat Of gov
eminent alternated between them.
| Leon has been second in population
in Nicaragua since Managua's rise to
| power. Located on the railroad that
1 connects Managua and Granada with
| Corinto, the country's principal sea-
port, Leon has enjoyed consistent
flow of trade and has become one of
the transportation centers of Central
America In the fertile mountain
country surrounding Leon corn, sugar
cane, cattle and dairy products are
| the principal sources Of wealth.
The town itself Is typical Of many
small cities in Latin America. Low
houses of adobe, covered with red
tiles. line the cobblestone streets.
Icons cathedral, started In 1910, Is
one Of the show places Of Nicaragua.
The city shows the effect Of numerous
revolutions, but it's plaza Is still one
of the handsomest in the country.
Leon Makes Lots of Soap.
Icons manufacturing establish
ments include large soap factory,
which is said to supply 80 per cent OF
the laundry soap used on the west
coast, candle factory, two bottling
works, three tanneries, and a water
power electric light plant.
Granada, the oldest, by few
months and perhaps the wealthiest
CITY in Nicaragua, was founded by
Francisco Fernandez de Cordoba as
an inland port at the western end OF
Lake Nicaragua. During Spanish Co
lonial DAYS boats from the Caribbean
sea came up the San Juan river and
across Lake Nicaragua directly to the
docks of Granada. While this Access
sibility made Granada an important
trading center, it also left 1t target
for early pirate attacks, and 1t was
several times sacked but always re-
built.
Granada Is the terminus of the Pa
cific railroad, which connects the city
with Managua, Leon and Corinto, a
distance of I'll miles. The railroad
operates a small steamer on Lake
Nicaragua connecting Granada twice a
week with the other towns on the lake.
Granada's principal trade is in coffee,
sugar cane, cattle and dairy products.
It is the smallest Of the three princi-
nal cities, having only $4,000 popula-
ton. Granada has always supported
the so-called conservative" Ideas In
government, while Leon has favored
the liberal" side.