A LAND OF REVOLUTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20005, 24 January 1927, Page 3

A LAND OF REVOLUTIONS

NICARAGUA. Written for the Otago Daily Times. By AI. According to Mr Eugene Cunningham, whose book "Gypsying Through Central America/’ was recently published, one has only to reside in Nicaragua for a short time to discover that the character and outlook of its people are very different from those of the Anglo-Saxon. One becomes aware of the queer tricks and turns of thought of the native, which result in actions inexplicable to the Anglo-Saxon unfamiliar with the tropic", but entirely natural, if not actually inevitable, to the Latin. Take, for example, the native attitude towards time. It is a land where time is regarded as the least important of many unimportant things. An illustration of this particular characteristic was noted by Mr Cunningham when travelling by train from the town of Granedon tc Managua, the capital of the country. ihe train had started, when it was halted with a sudden jerk. The reason for the stoppage was that a pig, in charge of a native, was crossing the track. It paused between the rails to consider its future movements, and the train waited while it made up its mind. The engine-driver looked casually out of the window, the loungers on the platform watched the pig with mild interest, and the owner never thought of urging the pig to move on. Ultimately the pig charted its course, and the train drew slowly out of the station. On the same train Mr Cunningham noted another incident. A woman with a second class ticket was travelling first class. The guard drew her attention to the matter, and requested her to change carriages. The woman ignored the request, whereupon the guard pulled the communication cord, and the train stopped with the suddenness of a bullet striking against a wall. Then the official of this •‘express” train informed the woman that until she took her proper seat in a second class carriage, the train would remain where it was. She held out for ten minutes before she sullenly gathered up her numerous bundles and went forward. The "express” then restarted. The attitude of the Nicaraguan towards his Government, like that of other Latin Americans, is somewhat primitive, and serves to explain why there are so many revolutions. He regards the Government as a ma'chine for rewarding the top-dog, and to him it is perfectly proper to overthrow an existing regime, with thrilling fireworks, for no other reason than his desire for a slice of the governmenta melon. Continuous peace bores Manuel and his friends almost to distraction. It is quite likely, however, that the present dispute between Conservatives and Liberals is somewhat different in character from those which took place previously. Then it was merely a case of_ the “outs’ versus the “ins.” Communistic ideas seem to have, penetrated into the country, and the present disturbances may partake more of the nature of class-war-fare than 'in the past. In this connection it may be mentioned that Mr Cunningham found almost everywhere a great antipathy towards the foreigner, whom the people regarded as an exploiter of their country. They wei'e sullen to a and either ignored or scowled at him. It has probably been remarked that the Americans lost little time in intervening in Nicaraguan affairs. As a matter of fact the interference has been going on for a considerable time. The finances of the country are regulated by American bankers, who control the national bank and issue beautifully engraved bank notes; the National Debt is held by Nev? York financiers, who govern Customs collections in the ports. A detachment of American marines, one hundred and fifty in number, keep undesired peace in the country. For something like twelve years order has been maintained, but it would seem that the pent-up feelings of the Nicaraguanses have at last overflowed. The incessant political disturbances of the past have, of course, greatly retarded progress in Nicaragua, and the people are poor. It is a small country, its area being only 49,000 square miles. The area of New Zealand is 95,500 square miles. Nicaragua extends from the Caribbean Sea on the east coast to the Pacific Ocean on the west. It is separated from Panama by the State of Costa Rica. Near the coast on either side, and running north and south, is a range of mountains. Between these two ranges lies the, great interior basin, which includes the greater portion of the There are extensive areas of splendid pasture land, supporting large herds of cattle. In many places the country is densely wooded. In this great interior basin lie the two lakes Nicaragua and Managua. The former is 110 miles long and 30 to 50 miles wide. Managua is smaller. Before the Panama Canal route was decided upon, the question of constructing a waterway across Nicaragua was seriously discussed, as Lake Nicaragua afforded special faculties for water communication between the Atlantic and the Pacific. Realising the boom in land values that would be created by the construction of a canal, speculators, both native and foreign, bought up all the land thev could get hold of along the supposed route. Now they, or their descendants, cling to these arid acres, which once offered potential fortunes. They refuse to believe that the canal will never be dug. Every wandering white man is looked upon as a surveyor, and they follow him about eager for news. . , . . . The country is rich in tropical products, including sugar, cotton, coffee, indigo, tobacco, and a great variety ot tropical fruits. The northern part is the mineral belt, yielding gold, silver, copper, iron, and lead. The country attracts all sorts of fortune-hunters —oil scouts, mining engineers, timber cruisers, as well as "trusted advisers” to revolutionists. The majority of the people are native Indians, though‘the Spanish element in the community is pronounced. The staple diet m the country is black beans, nee, and bananas. Bread, as we know it, is seldom seen. A thin unsalted maize cake, called a tortilla, is served instead. The white traveller finds it flat and flavourless. ' Water is a nrecious commodity in some parts. It is obtained by digging wells, and some of these are drilled through rock to a depth of 500 ft. The sinking of these wells is expensive; in consequence, they are proprietary undertakings, and the water is sold. Mr Cunningham says that a team of bullocks, harnessed to a rude spindle, took 20 minutes to draw a 100gallon iron bucket to the surface. At one place he saw the uncommon spectacle of milk and water being delivered at the same time, and yet separately. Under these conditions a bath was indeed a Nicaragua has many attractions for the tourist, but his presence is generally, not welcomed by the inhabitants. As already stated, their attitude is one of sullcnness and aloofness, at times amounting to discourtesy.' This is due to their belief that the "white man” is out to exploit their country. It is 400 years since the country was conquered by the Spaniards. It is named after Nicarao, an Indian chief, whom the Spaniards converted. One hundred years -go Nicaragua, along with other central American countries, threw off the Spanish yoke and declared itself a republic. In 1857 occurred one of the most striking episodes in the history of the country. Then, as to-day, the Conservatives and the Liberals were striving for masterv. and the latter called in the help of an American, (/olonel AA illiam Walker. Walker acceded to their request; his blueshirt army,” which was augmented by many American adventurers, was victorious, and for two years he actually occupied the position of president of the republic. Opinions as to the character and conduct of Walker differ according to the point of view. By some writers he is regarded as a lawless adventurer a.fillibuster —by others as a man of lofty motives desirous of giving Nicaragua prosperity and peace b., introducing democratic institutions” as in the United States. Walker who was in turn editor, doctor, lawyer,’ and soldier, may. or may not, have given the country the best system of government it has ever known, but he never succeeded in establishing, as he had intended, a system of slavery ike that which prevailed in the United States before the Civil War. The surrounding republics combined forces with the Conservatives in Nicaragua and oiei threw Walker. His term of office was hriei, hut he remains the most outstanding nguic in Nicaraguan dstory.