Part 10 (1/2)

CHAPTER X

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA AND THE Ca.n.a.l

There is a certain romantic interest about the history of Central and South America and a uniting of ancient and modern history there which makes its study peculiarly attractive. Sufficient material is given for an entire year's work, and the many books written recently upon them give ample references.

I--THE BEGINNINGS

Starting with Central America, the first meeting may be upon its physical features, ill.u.s.trated with a map. It is believed that originally there may have been a great archipelago uniting the two continents, earthquakes possibly throwing them together. The Cordillera, or mountain chain, which lies the length of the peninsula, is of unusual wildness and beauty, with volcanoes here and there. The long slopes from the sea to the mountain tops give great variety of climate and productions, remarkable in so small a country. Describe at length the flora and fauna.

This will introduce the great subject of the ancient remains of a highly civilized race. There are huge pyramids, vying with those of Egypt, walls built without plaster yet of amazing durability, temples with carvings and colored picture-writing of wonderful beauty, all the subject of great interest to archaeologists. Show photographs of these, and discuss whether they were connected with the remains in Egypt or were a spontaneous development of an aboriginal race.

After this take up the coming of the European and the result. In 1513 Balboa saw the great Pacific Ocean spread out before him. Wading into its water he took all the land upon its sh.o.r.e in the name of Spain--which was the entire territory from Alaska to Cape Horn.

Read:--Keats's sonnet ”On first looking into Chopman's Homer,” with its reference to the ”peak in Darien.”

Spain proceeded to take possession of the country to the immediate north and south, and kept it until 1821; it stamped its peoples indelibly with its mark and made it more Spanish than Western in customs, religion and morals. Notice the curious fact that a ca.n.a.l across Panama was suggested by Spain in 1551. Follow the history of these centuries until Spain lost its owners.h.i.+p; then speak of the federal republic, and later of the founding of the different republics as they are to-day. This will take several meetings.

II--THE CENTRAL AMERICAN REPUBLICS

From this point study each little republic by itself, beginning with Guatemala, the farthest north, adjoining Mexico, and resembling it in many ways.

Here the feature of prime importance is the natural forests of rare woods; the soil is also unusually fertile and can be made to produce remarkable crops under cultivation. The cities are modern; Guatemala City has tree-planted avenues, a beautiful plaza, electric lights, schools and churches. Manufactures and trades are interesting, especially the wood-carving and embroidery work. Give an idea of the people, native and foreign, the government, education, and relation with other countries.

Nicaragua, territorially the largest of the little republics, is interesting because of its connection with the early plans for the great ca.n.a.l. It was chosen in 1876 in Was.h.i.+ngton, President Grant determining upon it after many years of investigation. Read in ”Panama,” by Bunau-Varilla, of this period. Mention also the three interesting towns connected by railway, and the great plantations near them.

Honduras is a remarkable place in many ways; describe its capital, with its law courts, its university and schools of industry; also the wonderful mines, so few of them developed.

British Honduras is by no means so interesting; but its form of government should be noticed. One curious little fact is that it is recorded that one year all the pine trees on crown lands were sold to an American for a cent apiece.

Salvador is a wild, mountainous, picturesque place, situated in a district which volcanoes constantly threaten. Its main city, San Salvador, has many buildings of note.

Costa Rica has a history of absorbing interest. Its great wealth of minerals, trees, pearl fisheries and other resources early made it famous in Spain. Its climate is delightful, its population mostly foreign, education is free, and there is complete religious liberty.

Discuss what causes the difference between this republic and some of the others.

III--PANAMA AND THE Ca.n.a.l

Panama, the little republic of only ten years, is sufficiently important commercially to be noticed, yet its fame will always rest upon its great ca.n.a.l. Clubs should give a number of meetings upon this subject, for it is of world-wide interest, and the future of South America, and largely our own, is closely connected with it.

The early dream of such a ca.n.a.l should first be followed out from its inception till the time of the formation of the early company by De Lesseps in 1881, through the failure of this with its disastrous financial effect in France. New plans were made which were to enlist the help of Russia, but these failed also. Study the idea of the Nicaraguan ca.n.a.l, its abandonment; the negotiations with Colombia; the treaties made; the difficulties with the different South American countries; the recognition of Panama by the four great powers; the ratification by the Senate of the Hay-Bunau-Varilla treaty, the making of plans for the ca.n.a.l on different lines, and, last, its actual beginning.

Here there should be a paper on the physical conditions at Panama, the deadly climate, the yellow fever, the malarial mosquitoes, the lack of sanitation, and all that was carried out under Goethals and Gorgas to make it possible for the work to be done. Read descriptions of the town of Panama after the new conditions were established. Show a map of the Ca.n.a.l and describe its princ.i.p.al features and also show pictures from magazines and books. Close these meetings with a discussion on two questions: the tolls, and the possible fortifying of the Ca.n.a.l. Give some idea also of the result of the building of the Ca.n.a.l upon the different nations.

IV--SOUTH AMERICA