The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-27
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HOPES OF HONDURAS.
A NEW MARKET FOR AMERICAN TRADE--PREsy.
DENT DE soTos GOVERNMENT.

NEW MARKET FOR AMERICAN TRADE-PRESys
DENT DE soTo's GOVERNMENT.
Dona Celestina de Soto, wife of the President Of
Honduras; Don Federico Toledo Commissary Gem
era of that State; Don Enrique de Soto, brother Of
the President and Minister at Guatemala. and DR..
Fred c. Valentine, Surgeon General have just arrived
at the Clarendon Hotel Rumors Of the growing i'm
portance Of Honduras a centre of commerce hav-
ing been recently strengthened by the formation Of
an American company for the working Of its mines.
a representative of the HERALD called the
party and obtained its views the moral
and material progress of the Republic. The
belief was general that has dawned for
Honduras. Dr. Marco de Soto has in the two years
of his Presidency brought her such peace and pros
perity as she never knew before. young man Of
thirtytwo. but of varied and brilliant accomplish
ments, he was called from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs at Guatemala to govern his native land.
which, 1t is believed he will probably rule for many
years His r-Medina-whose nine years
of power had diverted all foreign capital from the
country. put to death, and the President at
once declared against the Jesuits who were un-
derstood to have been Medina's chief supporters,
drove them into The neghboring republics
and turned their converts and churches
into schools post Offices and other pub
lie buildings He then established q system
of compulsory education, beginning with admira-
universities for which he engaged teachers from tho
United States. He has instituted postal arrange
mcnts. constructed roads, reorgsnzed the army.
founded military politecnico is building mint.
and has in every way fostered commerce and private
enterprise The United States has been his model
throughout, and the capital OF the United States,
after driving out the British capital which dom
mates the country he hopes it is said to attract into
THE SILVER MINES
The vast mines of Honduras, which are now
worked by the poorest process, known to be rich
m al <ar nDa N nnl md In laud
per. DIR. Valentine. who has studied the subject.
believes that fortunes could be extracted even from
the ore that has long since been thrown mp from the
mines and abandoned There is probably dormant
wealth in every part of Honduras. and the eyes OF
past they turned to California and Australia. None
Of the mines have been worked 10 any
depth The wretsaca old spams n nsh% soS ..
into The earth notched poles are still in force.
aud In Guatemala there Is only one mine where
modern improvements have been introduced Here,
however, a company erected fine reduction works,
well supplied with all machinery. ovens. assay oice
aud a complete outfit OF tools and implements, adding
two steam engines for pumping out water. building
dwelling houses for superintendent. doctor and on
gneer and raising S1.O0o,ooO in a very short time.
This IL the first notable mining company
that Central America has known since, tho
n n,es Of aondurss who still keep most Of
their mines under lock aud key. and from the re-
maindcr extract fifty times less than machinery
would yield them, rely on the capitalists OF tho
United states to form companies In Its likeness. so
isolated the region that science has done little to
explore experts DeilcNc tuc hcavi'rt uo-
posts silver yet found will be laid open In these
mountains, where natives willingly work for thirty
cents day as their fathers worked before them un-
der the spanish rule.
Apart from the mines, President do Soto has been
sngularly successful in stimulating the tobacco in
dustry. He has brought cigar makers from Havana,
tobacco growers from Cuba and has lent every adj
vantage OF art to naturally fertile SOIL Coffee Is
not indigenous but Its culture Is spreading through
the country. Cocoa and sugar are staple com'nod-
tiles. For all these industries the two things need
full ready money and good roads. On some
plantations water has to be conveyed for Q
distance In fumes. For mule freighs alone from
Tegugalpa, the temporary metropolis, TO the coast
annual sum of $4,000 IL paid. But, given the no
cessary capital the President feels certain that every.
thing points great uture for Honduras that ex-
ports will increase modern improvements be intro
duced agriculture extend, mines yield abundantly,
and the government by cutivating public instruc.
ton and the OF peace, will roarh and worthy
class of citizens ana establish the Republics pros
pcrity.