The New York herald., 1878-11-11
GOLDEN GUATEMALA.

MINISTER DARDoN DIscoURsEs OF HIS CoUNTRY's
wEALTH-RICH ORES AND ABUNDANT CROPS
EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE AGRICULTURE AND
IMMIGRATION.
Sefor Don Vicente Dardon, Minister Of the Republic
of Guatemala who is at present in this city, received
HERALD reporter yesterday at his residence. No 40
East Twenty third street. Sefor Dardon. who repre-
sens not only Guatemala, but also the Republics Of
San Salvador, Costa Rca and Honduras spoke freely
of the condition Of the first named country. He re-
ports the work the San Jose and EsQuintla Rail-
road progressing satisfactorily. As there is little
grading to be done from the port of San jose to
within comparatively short distance Of Esquintla
that portion of the road will be ready for the
rolling stock. The grading through the mountain
passes between Esquintla and Guatemala city
will be q formidable undertaking, but the
sound financial condition Of the country. brought
about by the policy of the President. General Don
Jose Ruhno Barrios will enable the government to
secure admirable roadbed on the most economical
terms and with the least possible delay. The road
when completed will be. it is claimed Of great advan-
tage to American shippers, particularly those who
may send their goods from San Francisco. Indeed it
is said that more than one Californian frm has ad-
vanced material for the construction of the road
ceiving very liberal terms from the government.
THE GOLD REGIONS.
to attract attention throughout the Republic Several
firms have made contracts with the government
tageousiy. A well known American geolo-
gst and mining engineer undertook some
time ago. at tho desire OF President Barrios.
to make a complete survey Of the entire gold dis
trict which was discovered three years ago. His
port has been Submitted to the government. and
shows that the gold saturates the ground, so to
speak, in uniform quantities up and down the banks
OF the Motagua and also to considerable distance
toward the interior 1t does not appear that quartz
though believed
exist in the ridges Of the mountains and crests of the
engaged in washing the pay dirt which is taken out
of the poorly constructed shafts in very primitive
manner. The want of water IL great drawback. yet
the Motsgua River and adjacent streams are large
enough 20 furnish an ample supply il there
among the miners enough capital and enterprise
plan. which in former years was found
to work well In California. The rocker is the only
way Of working the pay dirt is both laborious and
slow it is not to be wondered at that few fortunes
have thus far been made 1t is expected that of
the California miners. who understand the hydraulic
method of sluice washing, will soon visit the gold
fields and revolutionize the inefficient system in
practice there.
OPENING UP THE INTERIOR.
Sehor Dardon called attention to the facilities Of
fered by the fine port OF Santo Tomas and the Gulf
OF Honduras for the introduction Of all sorts of sup
plies for the mines which only couple of days
distant from the harbor. Around Santo Tomas are
he says. on liberal terms. wagon road; which has
been for several years In course of construction
Santo Tomas. will soon open up the in
terror to commercial enterprise and place the
port of Santo Tomas within seven days Of New York.
That American effects are valued higher than similar
goods from Europe il sufficiently proved by the In
creasing demand for them there Another proof that
Guatemala In becoming desirable customer In the
fact that she has bought from American firms
twenty thousand breechloading rifles. with which her
troops are a. present armea Inc Q, Cen
rived from immigration and has taken stops to at
tract American settlers.
ENCOURAGING AGRICULTURE.
Sehor Dardon gave the reporter copy OF q decree
promulgated the 22d of last August for the pur-
pose Of encouraging and rewarding the cultivation Of
certain products of the country. The decree says-
All persons who do possess land and wish engage
In the cultivation OF sarsapara cocoa or the rubber
sa authority Of The district The Of IKE
o. quantity % land which shall be IN proportion
TO his means Of cultivating y.
planter viii required 70 show hs. he has in tho mean
.sf The o s holdings Il %
in this prerequisite to title he shall lose his right to the
When the planter shall proved tha. he planted
h GsSpsa ep n % S % % Be
him when the local authority shall have reported favor
The planter: win receive from the public
nss. and for he nuSSsp of sarsse
s plants that 'soy may hy' ,,i ssa that are
exceed the number cf i2oo premium viii bc given for
This % decree ; 10 remain in force for ton years.
sehor Dardon believes that many immigrants from
the United Statos Italy, Germany England viii
avail themselves Of this ofcr and take up lands in
Guatemala The settlers there enjoy the advan-
tages Of liberal. republican form Of government a
splendid climate, and have chance tc make q CON-
Portable competency, II not certain fortune, more
rapidly than anyw here else on the globe The coun-
try is well settled the people well disposed to
foreigners. and there is nothing 10 apprchend from
revolutions, IA. under the government of General
Banios. there is fear of inclination the part
OF any portion OF the people to rebel.
PROSPERITY.
In speaking of the products OF the country during
the last Ave years Senior Darton gave figures which
amply prove the prosperous condition Of Guatemala
under the present liberal regime taking, an in
stance the important article of coffee. In 1873 the
crop exported was 16.050.66s pounds, worth
81 i0s 106 50, while in 1877 20993.i7G pounds worth
$335s, g56 10. exported IL must be remembered
that the entire population OF Guatemala does not
exceed 2,O00,00V. of whom but insig-
nificant fraction have directed their efforts
to the cultivation of coffee. Other agricul-
tural products are equally abundant and profitable.
sefor Dardon said that In 1873 the imports from
England 20 Guatemala amounted 10 &gg6.4il 25 and
the exports to Great Britain $659, ,22s IL, while
in 1877 the imports had increased 20 994 ~ and
the exports 20 81 107391I. In the same years tho
trade OF Guatemala with the United States linz
ports S12J 2G0 50, and exports $l,234. 1885, and In
is77 the imports up TO s4g5,555 81 and the
ports to 81 Olg 428 a. thus showing large balance
aaanst the United states and fine field in which 10
compete with European manufactures.