BELIZEAN HISTORY BY MR. HECTOR SILVA -PART II

BELIZEAN HISTORY BY MR. HECTOR SILVA -PART II

AND NOW CAME THE MOMENT OF DECISION - - Do we continue living under a dark status quo or DE WE CHANGE IT.- .

Because Belizeans were fed,up and tired of .suffering the hardships in a BACKWARD COLONY,, Trade Unions Leaders began to make noise, against continued SLAVERY, ( even though it was said that it was abolished in1834- - - There were those old Union Leaders like Tony Soberanis,- - Lahoody,- -Bangular Barnnet,- -Clifford Betson -Henry Middleton,- Lucas Marin,and young Nicolas Pollard - - who TEAMED UP with the young "PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE", led by those FIVE NATIONAL Freedom Fighters and today's HEROES,- - George Cadle Price, - - Phillip Wilberforce Goldson, -- John Smith, - - Leigh Richardson and Nicolas Pollard.the youngest at age 26.

BUT BEFORE ENTERING ON THE REAL STRUGGLE ,
Let us describe what life was, before the Peaceful and Constructive Belizean Revolution.-
We will divide this TIME LINE, into three ERAS.
(1) - The DARK ERA was life before 1950. (Fully governed under an absentee Colonial Office ( and a semi slave system )
(2) - THE GREY ERA was that period between 1950 and 1963,when the People's Movement faced many TRIALS and TRIBULATIONS.
Some leaders deffected, others were intimidated or oppressed and few were tried in Court.
(3) - THE BRIGHT ERA was, when Belizean Leaders were given the opportunity to govern the country INTERNALLY. -

BUT LET US FIRST REVIEW WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE IN BRITISH HONDURAS before 1950.
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IN 1964, ENGLAND GRANTED BELIZE FULL INTERNAL SELF GOVERNMENT. ( here I call the attention of those Political fanatics, who have been led to believe, that development in Belize was served in a SILVER PLATTER. - - Here it goes as clear as possible and there are many people who can attest to these facts )

DARK AGES BELIZEANS -(or British Hondurans) were a mere STATISTIC ,being supported by a NUMBERED PASSPORT WHICH DESCRIBED US AS BRITISH SUBJECTS. - ( yes you heard me, SUBJECTS )

IN THAT DARK ERA, British Honduras (Belize) was a territory solely for the EXTRACTION OF Logwood,- Mahogany and Chicle Gum. - a litlle of Sponge.- Coconuts, fishing and little farming.-
ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES were, for the benefit of Foreign Companies.- -The REMNANTS were shared among the Contractors and then Merchants -- -The CRUMBS went to the poor workers. and to those at POOR HOUSE,- MENTAL ASSYLUM -and PRISON

LIFE IN THOSE DAYS.IN THE DARK ERA.
(a) - Only Belize City had DC Electric Current (No Alternate current )
THE DISTRICTS had to use Kerosene lanterns for the Main Towns.

(b) - Only Belize City had a water supply through WELLS in the City and Rain water from some large IRON VATS, and later the Famous YELLOW VATS. - - In the early 1950's, Stand Pipes were installed.

(c) - Only Belize City had four High Schools ( St John College, - St Michaels College, - Wesley College - and for girls St Hilda's College and St.Catherine's Academy- ( Pallotti High was not yet established.
THE DISTRICTS HAD NO HIGH SCHOOL. - Only Primary schools.

(d) - The Only trafficable roads were from.- Belize City to Cotozal, - to Burrel Boom and little spurs here and there.
DISTRICTS HAD NO ROADS only piccadoes,- Transport was only by WATER ( Sea.- River, some creeks or Lagoon)Imagine in those Imagine in those days we only tasted ONE apple for Christmas.

BELIZEAN HISTORY BY MR. HECTOR SILVA -PART I

BELIZEAN HISTORY AS TOLD TO MR HECTOR SILVA OF BELIZE BY HIS FATHER IN LAW

The SAD story began in 1919, when the Belize Contingent of brave men returned from World War I.- They were BATTLE WEARY but
filled with promises of thankful rewards for their bravery in rendering their services for the FREEDOM OF THE WORLD.

These hundreds of young Belizean soldiers ,left in 1914 and were taken to the Battle Grounds in MESOPOTAMIA. ( today's IRAC ).

ONCE BACK HOME IN BELIZE. all promises and hopes melted with the sun.
They were offered pieces of the swamps around Belize, City, which they could not reclaim.
They were given day work jobs, breaking stones to build the Maskall Road.( 25cebts a day )

THIS RESULTED IN ONE OF BELIZE'S BIGGEST RIOTS against the Colonial Administration. - - England sent a War Ship with British soldiers to quell the unarmed men. - - - ( Were these men armed, , it would have been a different story )
THE RESULT OF THIS TREATMENT WAS THE COMPOSITION, BY HERO, SAMUEL HAYNES of Land of the Free, ( now our Anthem )
This was the beginning of that AWAKENING CALL by Belizeans..

THE SECOND CALL FOR JUSTICE.
During those early days, men served as Tools of Production. They served almost as BEASTS OF BURDEN. -( they worked under that YOKE almost equal to SLAVERY. )
Slaves were given Food and Shelter and medication, but the NEW SLAVES had to provide every need for themselves,( As a young boy at my fathers Farm , i saw the conditions under which Chicleros and Mahogany workers were hired, to go to the jungle for six months and not being able to return home to see their families. - - THE EVIL WHISTLE BLOWERS ( Chismosos - Lambiscones would notify the Police, who would come and arrest them. - YES THIS IS THE LIVING TRUTH.

IN VIEW OF ALL THESE INJUSTICES AND MORE,
In 1934, Belizean Hero, Antonio Soberanis Gomez rose up in anger to defend these poor workers.
In early 1934. Govern John Burdon ( in whose name the Burden Canal was named ) --REFUSED to approve Labor :Laws to protect the workers against ABUSE.
SO, Tony Soberanis, assisted by other brave ,decided to organize the WORKERS of Belize.
ON OCTOBER 1st, 1934, Tony Soberanis organized a PROTEST PICKET against tjhe Belize Estate Saw Mill, asking for more pay. The PICKET turned out into a RIOT,- A workers was shot in the neck.
When Soberanis went to post Bail for rioters arrested, he himself was arrested and refused for ONE MONTH.

THIS OPENED THE DOORS FOR THE FORMATION OF THE MOVEMENT FOR BELIZE'S INDEPENDENCE, in 1950.