CHAPTER XII

PROGRESS IN PANAMA

PROGRESS is hardly the proper word to apply to the movement in the Republic since the first edition of this work was published. Aside from the extent to which it has been carried along by the advance of the Canal operation, the country has made no progress, nor have its people availed themselves in anything like the degree possible of the opportunities that have been created by the development of the American enterprise.

That the country is susceptible of splendid development is beyond question, but whether it will take place or not must, of course, depend upon the people, and they are not at present headed in the right direction, nor possessed of the degree of interest and purpose that the situation demands. In the interior the people have no ambition beyond the needs and pleasures of the immediate morrow. The masses

live from hand to mouth-happily enough, maybe, but uselessly. They are either blind to their immediate opportunities, or careless of them. In the towns, corn costs ten cents a pound, rice fifteen cents, and eggs are as dear as in New York, whilst there is a scarcity of these commodities even at those prices, with rice and corn fields surrounding the spots. The trouble is that the cultivator is too indolent, or not sufficiently enterprising, to raise more than enough for his personal needs.

The few well-to-do display no interest in the poorer classes, nor any in the progress of the country, except in so far as it may affect themselves immediately. They seem to be quite content that the old order of things should continue, and display no realization of the fact that the world, even the Latin-American portion of it, is moving past them and going ahead. There is an utter lack of community interest or cooperation. In our Western settlements, poor men have accomplished wonders by working together with a singleness of purpose and an unselfish regard for the general prosperity of their community. Similar results are, of course, possible everywhere. The man of means who should start a movement of that sort in Panama

would set a valuable example to his country

men.

In the City of Panama, business men lack the enterprise and self-confidence to avail themselves of the new openings for endeavor that have grown out of the Canal operation and will continue for some years to do so. They are allowing foreigners to come in and secure advantages, which they should, at least in some degree, retain for themselves. Some of the larger business houses of Panama would do well to take in experienced Americans as partners, or well paid managers.

During the past year there has been a marked increase in the interest evinced by Americans in the country as a field for investment and settlement. This should not be accepted by the people as evidence of a wild desire to secure property in Panama. There appears to be danger of the Government falling into this error and repulsing capital, which is coy enough under any circumstances and especially reluctant where every form of undertaking is experimental. No doubt a considerable proportion of the applications made to the Government for grants of land and other concessions are advanced by irresponsible speculators, without

means or substantial backing, and wisdom would dictate the exercise of strict discrimination against such propositions. But, on the other hand, the utmost encouragement should be given to genuine and advantageous offers on the part of foreign capitalists to establish industries in the country. Unless such encouragement is forthcoming the money will promptly pass elsewhere. Several other inviting fields will be brought into close touch with the United States by the opening of the Canal, and other governments are making attractive offers to American capital and showing a keen appreciation of the advantages to be gained by securing it. Quite recently a syndicate of American monied men, representing $2,000,000, or more, decided to transfer their plans for investment from Panama to Ecuador.

Many Americans are looking toward Panama as a possible place of settlement, but they find many discouraging difficulties in their way. Most of these it is within the power of the Government to mitigate or remove. American emigration to Panama will not reach considerable proportions until the persons in this country desiring information regarding the former shall have better facilities for securing it and

acting upon it. The prospective settler is usually a man of small means, who can not afford the expense and trouble of going down to the Isthmus on an uncertain quest for land. He must be put in the way of getting reliable and full information in the States, of selecting his tract and of receiving his provisional title before leaving home. The late President Obaldia was fully alive to this need and had planned to provide for it. The present Administration appears to be indifferent to the matter.

The future development of the country, if it is to be at all commensurate with its splendid resources, must depend in the main upon corporate investment and enterprise, and settlement on the colony plan. Americans can not be recommended to settle singly or in small numbers in the midst of native communities.

The natives have not at present the knowledge nor experience to make the most of their opportunities. Perhaps they have not the energy, nor the initiative. It is quite possible, however, that all these qualifications may be acquired in time, should the people have the benefit of the example of modern methods and habits of industry. I have no doubt but that