CAMPECHE, TABASCO, CHIAPAS
The State is called Campeche de Baranda in honor of the father of the
late Señor Joaquin Baranda, who was in the cabinet of General Diaz in
1896.
The capital is the City of Campeche, which is also an important seaport
for all the surrounding States. It is situated on the Bay of Campeche
at the mouth of the San Francisco River. It has a population of about
twenty-five thousand, and is fast growing. The narrow streets are
irregular, and the houses remarkable for their uniform height of one
story, their square form, and for all being built of the limestone
which abounds near the city.
Campeche was founded in the middle of the sixteenth century and has
figured in history more or less ever since. It was sacked by the
British in 1659, and again by pirates in 1678, and by filibusters
in 1685. Its site has been twice changed, the present one being
honey-combed with subterranean chambers which were dug out years ago
by the Maya Indians, ruins of which structures may be seen in the
vicinity of Campeche. The city has several churches and convents, a
museum containing interesting aboriginal relics, a theatre and several
schools and colleges. It has a beautiful alameda, embellished with
alleys of orange trees and seats of the native marble. The port is
defended by three fortresses.
Carmen has the best harbor on the coast, and is one of the least known
ports. Large quantities of mahogany are felled in the interior and
floated down the stream to the port.
[Illustration: PALACE OF JUSTICE, CAMPECHE.]
The commerce of Campeche was, under the Spanish colonial system, in a
most flourishing state; but it is now confined mostly to salt, sugar,
hides, henequen and articles manufactured from it. Logwood and other
dyestuffs are still exported in quantities, but the cigar industry is
greater. The Campeche cigars are made from Tabasco tobacco and are
often sold in foreign markets for the Havana product.
Between Merida, the capital of Yucatán, and Campeche, there is a
railway line which connects the two cities. This is a delightful route
on account of the magnificent scenery. Rich forests filled with timber
and valuable dye-woods extend throughout the State. This is one of the
chief exports, finding a ready market in Europe and the United States.
The governor of Campeche is Señor Garcia Gual, whose interest in his
State is very evident. He is handicapped by many difficulties in
the climatic influences, distinctly of the tropical belt, but his
administration has been remarkable for the improved sanitary conditions
and the spirit of advancement he has instilled into the minds of his
people.
Public education is the first step of the Mexican on taking the reins
of a government. Schools and all benevolent institutions have in the
governor an able advocate, and he carries his plans of reconstruction
and enterprise with a firm hand.
[Illustration: STATUE OF HIDALGO, CAMPECHE.]
The latest-formed Territory of Mexico, Quintana Roo, lies between
the State of Campeche and Guatemala. The inhabitants are principally
Maya Indians, that race that has been so troublesome to the Mexican
Government. The language is mostly Indian and they seem to show no
disposition to speak Spanish, or to become used to the forms of modern
civilization. Most of the industries consist of hand-work and Indian
crafts, but the Territory is rich in valuable woods, and many tropical
fruits. There are some good tobacco districts and the country bids fair
to become a good agricultural section. The policy of the administration
of General Diaz is clearly demonstrated in the splendid manner in which
the Federal Government gained control over the unruly tribe of Indians
in this Territory.
On account of the condition of the country the population and the area
have not been ascertained. Military control makes it secure that there
will be no more outbreaks such as have hitherto threatened peace and
life. In spite of the characteristics of these Indians, the towns are
well equipped with schools.
TABASCO
Tabasco is the great fruit growing State. It stretches along the coast
of the Gulf of Mexico and has become greatly developed within the
last few years by various colonies from the North. The population is
largely composed of peaceful Indians, although many foreigners have
yielded to the temptations that the rich and abundant resources have
offered. There are many lagoons and inlets along the coast, and the
Islands of Laguna Carmen and Puerto Real. The surface is flat except in
the southern portion, where it rises toward the mountains of Chiapas.
There are two navigable rivers, the Usumacinta and the Tabasco. There
is a large amount of freight shipped on these streams, as they are the
principal thoroughfares of the State. An unusual amount of mahogany
and other useful woods abound. All tropical products are extensively
cultivated and magnificent opportunities for further development are
offered.
The capital and largest city is San Juan Bautista. Cortés and the
Spanish army discovered Tabasco and made a landing there before they
went on to Mexico. It was then a very popular place, with the better
houses built of stone and lime and the others of mud or adobe. The
inhabitants, the Tabascan Indians, gave proof of superior refinement as
well as unusual valor. Their stout resistance, however, did not prevent
Cortés and his soldiers from finally gaining and capturing the country
“in the name of the Crown.”
[Illustration: GENERAL ABRAHAM BANDALA, GOVERNOR OF TABASCO.]
Many of the Spanish conquerors settled in Tabasco; others, in the
cordillera toward the rich slopes and valleys of Oaxaca.
A great deal of the country is sloping and very much broken, but at
least four-fifths could be well cultivated. Coffee always require
a slope. The population, which is sparse, consists principally of
Indians. These people labor faithfully and cheerfully at light work,
such as coffee gathering.
[Illustration: STREET SCENE, SAN JUAN BAUTISTA.]
There is no finer country in the world awaiting development than this
general slope. The rainfall is abundant. The climate is very healthful.
There is a good quantity of water-power available all through this
State; the supply of it toward the wilder end of the slope is
practically unlimited.
There is plenty of building stone in the country. Part of the slope has
an unlimited quantity of marble of all colors.
The trade of the State is controlled by Spaniards, who also own nearly
all the steamers sailing under the Mexican flag in the Gulf of Mexico.
They send home to Spain about one million dollars annually. A good many
marry in the country and their children are among the best types in the
State.
This country unites all the conditions for happy, reasonable living. It
is a fine coffee, corn, cane and cotton country and the annual shipment
of bananas exceeds that of some of the larger tropical States.
The capital, San Juan Bautista, is on an island of volcanic origin
thrown up in the midst of the alluvial plain of the Grijalva, about
sixty-five miles from the sea. It has a population of about fourteen
thousand and is provided with street railroads and a first-class
electric light plant which furnishes extensive service. More than a
million dollars have been put into new buildings since 1897, about half
of that amount having been invested by foreigners. This city is noted
for its rapid advancement and great prosperity. Although at certain
seasons it is excessively hot there seems to be a bracing influence,
for the streets have an air of activity and the shops seem always busy.
[Illustration: STATUE OF JUAREZ, SAN JUAN BAUTISTA.]
The Governor of Tabasco, General Abraham Bandala, is a hard-working and
able functionary to whose heart the interest of the people under his
care is ever the first consideration. He is one of the great soldiers
of the Mexican Wars and his record is emblazoned on the history of the
country.
CHIAPAS
The general aspect of Chiapas is very unlike that of Northern Mexico.
There is very little barren country, the medium and lower regions
being covered by forests of valuable woods while the cultivated parts
show fields of all kinds and abundance of crops. Through the ports of
Tonala and San Benito, on the Pacific, the rich districts of Tonala and
Soconusco can be reached and from the former port the towns of Tuxtla,
Chiapa and San Cristobal are accessible by means of an automobile road.
Chiapas is the most southern State in the Mexican republic.
Commerce is the most important industry of this State, while
agriculture within the last few years has made rapid strides and has
added materially to the wealth of the State. On the Pacific side coffee
is extensively cultivated and there are several sugar-cane plantations,
as well as tobacco fields.
[Illustration: PARK IN SAN JUAN BAUTISTA.]
El Salto, headquarters for the department officials, is situated on the
Tulija River.
Since the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards, the cacao of this
district has been famous. Large amounts of foreign capital are
streaming into the country for investment.
Tuxtla-Gutierrez is the capital and the residence of the State
officials. It is the best trading town, being in communication with
all sections of the State. A well constructed automobile road connects
Tuxtla with the Port of Tonalá and the branch near the coast extends to
the Tehuantepec Railway. Splendid roads connect the capital with the
towns of Suchiata and Chiapa and the plains that follow the left side
of the Chiapa River render the country accessible as far as Guatemala.
New colonies are being exploited and hundreds of thousands of acres of
land are being bought by settlers.
To the governor of the State, Señor Don Ramón Rebasa, is given credit
for the close attention to the extension of public roads and the
encouragement of education.
In the opening of the railroad extension from San Geronimo, on the
Tehuantepec road, to Tapachula in Chiapas, another link in the great
Pan-American Railway was completed. The inauguration on May 5, 1908,
was made the occasion of great rejoicing in the State of Chiapas, being
presided over by the governor and celebrated with enthusiasm by the
inhabitants.
[Illustration: PAROCHIAL CHURCH, CHIAPA.]
[Illustration: YAQUI INDIAN DANCE.]