Chapter XXXIV: 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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.