Panama of the Present Day. 429 hundred dollars in this way. American gold and silver coins down to the 10-cent piece are in general circulation, quite as much so in fact, as the local currency. American five cent pieces and coppers are not accepted. The population of Panama presents a variety Races. of types. There are the native Indians, or aborigines; the mestizos consisting of a mixture of white with Indian; the mulatos, a mixture of white with negroes; the zambos, a mixture of negro with Indian, and as yet an unclassified type consisting of a mixture of Indian and negro with Chinese. Several Indian tribes are scattered about the Isthmus, the chief being the San Blas and Darien. The latter are jealous of intrusion and do not allow foreigners to enter their territory. Many stories are told of narrow escapes by those who had the temerity to disobey the injunction. The San Blas Indians are a peculiar race. They are very small in stature, with abnormally large heads, normal bodies and undersized legs. The youths are allowed to leave the tribe and seek employment in civilized communities, but are required to return after a certain age. The women are rarely seen abroad. Some of the wild tribes still adhere to cruel customs. Not long since. some Indians from one of the western provinces were brought to Panama for trial upon the charge of burying a mentally afflicted member of the tribe alive. In addition to the above, there are the native white residents, white North Americans and Europeans, and a sprinkling of nearly all the principal races on the face of the globe. By the law of 1904, Chinese, Turks and Syrians were debarred, but the Chinese were already here in large numbers, and practically control the retail trade in groceries. Weights and The legal weights and measures are those of the metric system, but custom has introduced others. The American pound weight is now commonly used. In measures of length the pulgada (inch), and pie (foot) is used instead of centimeters and decimeters, but beyond this the meter and kilometer of the met ric is resorted to. The liter is used instead of the quart measure, but the gallon is frequently referred to. In measures of surface, hectares is the only metric measurement in common use. There is really no warrant for the use of the word "ya da," meaning the American yard measurement, yet it is in common use in every dry goods store in Panama and Colon. Tariff Differences. When the United States Government assumed control of the Canal Zone, one of its first acts was to apply the Dingley tariff. Under this interpretation of the treaty, goods entering the Canal Zone from the United States were admitted duty free, but goods entering the Canal Zone from the Republic of Panama were made subject to the same tariff regulations as merchandise from any other foreign country. It was quickly seen that a merchant doing business in the Zone, and getting his goods from the United States free of duty could easily place himself outside the pale of successful competition from one in Panama, or Colon, who was that time required to pay a duty of fifteen per cent. gold on all merchandise imported, whether from the United States, or European countries. This caused a strong protest to be made. Two other disputed questions came up at the same time, viz, control of the customs and the postoffice revenues. The feeling became very bitter, and Secretary Taft was delegated to visit the Isthmus and investigate the matter. On December 6, 1904, speaking before the populace from the balcony of Hotel Central, he said: at "The order which I signed, for which I alone am responsible, and which was put into effect against the wishes of General Davis, Governor of the Canal Zone, namely, the order enacting the provisions of what is commonly known as the Dingley tariff bill, into a law on the canal strip, I confess to have been a great mistake." The American Government also changed its position in the matter of customs and post-office revenues. All incoming boats are now boarded by Panamanian customs officials, while the Zone Government purchases its stamps of Local Navigation Panama of the Present Day. 431 the Panama Goverment at 40 per cent. of their face value. In return, it was stipulated that Panama should reduce its rate of duty from 15 to 10 per cent., and to abolish the one per cent. tax on exports of gold coin. Under the subsequent tariff agreement, goods entering either the Canal Zone, or Republic of Panama (except goods designed for canal purposes), were subject to the duty of ten per cent. The navigation laws of Panama are very liberal and favor enrollment of merchant craft under its flag. Before a merchant vessel can be nationalized however, it will be necessary for the owner to have a paper drawn up by the consul of the country under whose flag it previously sailed, relinquishing its former rights and privileges. Application can then be made in due form of the Secretary of Hacienda for enrollment on the register of Panama. Passengers who wish to embark at night from the port of Panama for foreign points are required to have a permit for the transport of baggage and privilege of embarking. This can be obtained at the office of the Captain of the Port, Seventh Street and North Avenue. At Colon, passengers can embark on steamers alongside the wharf at night by simply giving name and showing ticket, but if the vessel is at anchor, passengers will have to get a permit of the Captain of the Port before going on board. Differences arising between Gen. Esteban Army Disbands. Huertas, commander of the Panamanian military forces, and the Panama administration led to the disbandment of the army in November, 1904. The trouble culminated on November 17, when General Huertas, acting, it is said, at the instigation of enemics of the administration, withdrew military protection from the President's person, and would probably have seized the reins of government had not the plot been discovered in time. The tenseness of the situation was of brief duration, but to insure protection to resident Americans, the marines were transferred to Ancon, while the New York, Marblehead, Boston and Bennington rode at anchor in the bay. Within a few days after the trouble, the army consisting of about 400 men, was disbanded, and their firearms turned over to the Zone authorities for safe keeping. At the same time, nearly all the guns on the seawall were disincu ted. With the disappearance of the army, the police force was largely augmented. After the disbandment of the army, Gen. Gen. Huertas. Huertas retired to his country home near Aguadulce, where he has since been quietly residing. The general is very popular with all classes, and has a strong following. His military career is a record of a courageous and painstaking soldier. for which from time to time, he received merited recognition. He was born at Umbita, Colombia, May 28, 1872, entered the army when but nine and one-half years of age, and from 1885 to 1903 took part in no less than 35 engagements-22 land battles and 13 sea fights. At the battle of Anchicaya, under Gen. Alban, the Colombian commander, he assisted in placing a cannon while under fire from the enemy, and lost his hand. in the effort. The year 1885 found him a drummer boy, from which position he arose. step by step until in November, 1902, he was promoted to the grade of General. He was the keystone to the secession movement in 1903, and for this valuable service was made commander of the Panamanian forces. The first Assembly voted him a leave of absence, and appropriated $50,000 gold for expenses. He visited Europe and was well received everywhere. After the trouble in November, 1904, he was granted a pension of $500 silver per month. Gen. Huertas is to-day a warm friend of the government and of law and order. The election of the President takes place this year. The people vote on the second Sunday in July for presidential electors. On August 30, the votes are canvassed, and the successful electors then proceed to ballot for a president. The latter takes his seat on October 1 for a period of four years. Elections. Tourists' Department. 433 Tourists' Department. The visitor to the Isthmus ordinarily loses much time and patience in being compelled to make inquiries at nearly every turn, and in finding out for himself the things he should be able to post up on beforehand. It is the aim of the Pilot and Guide to afford tourists and travelers a certain amount of general information of this nature as will tend to make their visit a more thorough and pleasant one. The Isthmian quarantine regulations are very Quarantine. strict and must be complied with to the letter. Incoming vessels must fly a yellow flag (Q) at the fore and await quarantine inspection at the anchorage designated. The flag must not be lowered until pratique is granted by the quarantine officer. The captain of such vessel must not allow any boat or other craft, except that of the officers of the port, to approach within 200 meters, or allow anything to leave the vessel. Vessels however, arriving at the ports of Colon and Cristobal are allowed, at the discretion of the Quarantine Officer, to come alongside the wharf for inspection except when they have sickness on board, or are from ports infected with quarantinable diseases, unless they have proper certificates showing that they have not lain at an anchorage exposing such vessel to infection. Vessels arriving at night must anchor in the bay and not come to the wharf for inspection before daylight. Pills of Health. Vessels entering the ports of Ancon, or Cristobal from any foreign port where there is a United States consular officer must present a bill of health of the same character and form as is re |