The New York herald., 1879-10-22

1.-THE distance between New Orleans and ports on
the west coast Of South America, the Panama or
the Tehuantepec route, essentially the same
the advantage. however. being much in favor of the
latter, in consequence OF smooth seas and unob-
structed navigation The above exhibit scarcely needs
any comment. The saving in the time and sea risk,
the saving in distance. ought in itself
to make profit upon any trade with these ports.
In other words, the difference of freight and nsur-
the two routes would always leave
gin of profit to the shipper by Tehuantepec. This
advantage. however. is not confined to the port Of
New Orleans and the commerce Of the Mississippi
Valley. The saving Of distance s relatively great
between New York aud the points above mentioned.
The railroad at Tehuantepcc must. when con-
structed, attract the trade OF that port well
the United states OF the value of the trade between
the United States and the countries hitherto men,
toned some idea may be obtained from the follow
ing figures.
LOCAL TRAFFIC.
The Republic OF Mexico Is. perhaps. the most
favored country Of all the Americas, well in
variety OF climate fertility OF soil. 1t lies be-
tween two great oceans and has q seaboarI of
G.0s5 miles. 1t is 1880 miles long in its extreme
limit and $50 miles in its extreme breadth 1t lies
between latitude 10 degrees and 80 degrees north,
longitude 81 degrees and lit degrees west. Within
these limits every variety of edible fruit known in
Europe America is found. and also every product
of the temperate or torrid zone-corn. wheat. rye,
barley peas beans potatoes grow plentifully in the
temperate, and cotton, coffee, cocoa, sugar. to-
bacco, indigo cochineal in the hotter regions. All
OF these products are natural to othe soil. At
Tehuantepec and its neighboring States-Chiapas.
Tobasco, Vera Cruz and Oajaca-tho local trade of
the Tehuantepec Railroad will depend upon the
products of these States, which comprise OF
"a. .3O7 square miles and contain 1888 6S1 inhab-
tants. For the more perfect development of this
country the main road would need branches extend
ing through these States the cities of Vera Cruz
Oajaca and into Chiapas and the harbor of Tonala.
These roads can be constructed with comparative
ease and cheapness, from the nature of tho
ground over which they would pass being nearly
level plains. by such system the whole of tho
southern portion OF tho Mexican Republic would be
connected with the capital And it is the opinion
Of Major General Barnard and other engineers ia
milsr with the country that in very brief period
the road would be more than self-sustaining
Wherever these roads may run an abundance Of
material may be found for their construction. Tim
ber of every description. rs well for railroad con-
struction as for commerce, exists in the greatest
abundance on both the upland and river bottoms.
Pine. oak. mahogany. cedar. dyewoods Indiarubber
and forth to be found everywhere. One
of the officers attached to Barnards survey says
of the vegetable productions" of Tehuantepec,
"it is utterly impossible. even at a moments
glance. not to be struck with the boundless riches
nature has showered into the lap of this isthmus;
nor estimate the changes to bo effected
soil shall become the emporium of commerce and
TEEN with abundancel" The Mexico and Vera
pany and with English capital, is probably one of
the most difficult roads constructed. and cost
s27. 100000. In single year its report showed ro-
ceipts OF S7000,OO0 over Its expenses. Yet this Is
the only railroad IN Mexico at the present time.
THE QUESTION OF LABOR.
In the construction of tho Panama Railroad tho
company had no Inducements to Offer the laborer
except his daily pay, aud that earned in a climate
almost fatal to his life. Regiments Of men went to
Panama, and skeletons OF them only returned. At
the problem of labor for the con.
struction of the railroad assumes entirely differ
ent aspect. The laborcr in fact becomes emf
grant. lie takes with him his family and settles
and makes home in a country at once FERTILE pro-
ductive and healthy Locating upon the company's
land he would bc SECURE In his pro perty there
is probably no country In the world where the
negro Of the South could emgrate to with much
to his immediate or prospective future.
But independent OF imported labor, the native
Indians OF the country would form an important
the way navigating tho river. and indeed, for per-
forming all the lg ter sort of manual labor. They
are inofensive and In their way industrious. They
willing to work for less rates than imported Ia
borers, provided they are regularly paid With
these forces combined. and taking into consider
alton the abundance of material on the sthmus for
tho construction OF railroad and the short distance
for the transport alton of imported labor IL is safe
sum estimated and provo a paying Investment
COMMERCE. WITH SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA.
Speaking OF our trade with the south and Central
American states. writer in the Bdnker's Mdgdrtne
says Tin the export OF leather anufuctures we,
with ali our facilities. tho competition OF which
even European manufacturers fear may damage
their trade at no distant day export to our mmc.
diate ncighbors only 100000 value while England
and France sell them 00O worth. We beiieve
the figures might be reversed by tho establishment
of proper agencies, and the force OF patient and
ton which we sell to the British manufac-
turer, Great Britain sells them seventeen or eigh-
teen times manufactured goods than We do.
And for this state OF things we can reason.
except our own supincness In the matter"
COMMERCE. WITH ASIA.
Speaking also OF the Asiatic trade the same writer
says :--"British exports average annually about
$50. 900 to China, exclusive of Hong Kong and
China 81, 900. and to Japan 81 ,10l. .7G3 These
heretofore comparatively small exports from tho
United States have boon largely due, doubtless. to
the cheapnsss OF European manufsctuross but thas