National Republican., 1884-05-06
EXTENDING OUR TRADE.

The BIlI Prepared for n Commission 30
Visit Mexico and South America with
View to Establishing hallway Conn
munlcstion Between Those Countries
and the United States.
In compliance with an order of the house
committee on foreign affairs Representative
Stewart, of Texas has prepared bill pro.
viding for the appointment of three commits
sioners to serve two years to aid in extend.
ing American trade and commerce, and in
acquiring information looking to railway
communications between southern countries
and the United States. Tho bill provides
that the commission shall visit Mexico,
Guatemala, Honduras Salvador, Nicaragua,
Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela. Ecuador
Peru, Bolivia, tho Argentine Republic,
Chilli, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil.
lt further provides that ID shall also be the
duty of the commission to ascertain the fool
ings and inolinations of the people Of these
countries with reference to railway commu-
nication between thoir countries and tho
United States, and likewise what guarantees
immunities, and privileges If any, hGvo
already boon granted by thom, or what they
may bo willing TO grant hereafter, looking to
the Increase and quiokoning of postal commu-
nication, commerce, trade, and travel between
lltlE ONu CouuNTlC1 anu lnb lnllbu ClultS.
The SECRETARY of state Is directed to instruct
United States ministers and consuls in
Mexico and In Central and South America to
render every possible assistance to the COM
mission in acquiring all essential information
attanable.
Tho bill appropriatcs $4,000 to pay tho
expenses Of the commissioners and their
salaries OF $4,000 each annually.
In his report to accompany the bill Mr..
Stewart says:
The idea of building n railway from the United
states to the Argentine Republic Is somewhat
startling to those who have never given the sub
Ject thought but IL little reflection will convince
any one that no insupernble obstacle is in the way
OF such an enterprise. railroad from some
point in Texas or elsewhere in this country wherc
connection Is formed with the railroad system
of the United States to tho City OF Mexico aud
thence through the republic Of Mexico aud Cen.
trail America aud along the lsthmus of Darien,
passing east of tue Andes, through south America
TO the Argentine Republic, would meet with but
tion, and the distance will not exceed G,S00 miles,
and 1t may be shortened TO 5000 miles by
commencing It's construction ut the City of Mexico,
where 1t will connect with roads already built,
and in process of construction. Distance and
natural obstacles have never thwarted American
enterprise in the construction of railways, Al.
ready have several lines Of railways been stretched
across this continent, either of which from ocean
To- ocean, is more than 5000 miles in length.
While IL may be true that railroad from the
United states to the Argentine Republic is of
greater magnitude, yet II is believed that the OBJ
slhcles 10 lts compleuOn are no more formidable
than were encountered eighteen or twenty years
ago in tho construction of our first traiscontl-
mental line. When such railroad is
constructed our commerce will be enlarged to
such an extent as at this time TO defy anything ike
correct estimate OF its value, and then we will be
in position to say 10 European governments in the
memorable words OF President Monroe, That we
should consider any attempt on their part to eX-
tend their system to any portion of this hemis.
phere as dangerous to our. peace and safety
The capital with which the road is to be
built aud operated must be protected by the
pledged faith and proper guarantee of all the
governments that may be Interested in the build
ing and maintenance of the colossal enterprise
And this protection must be extended at all times
in times of war as well us In times of peace
This commission will be charged with
no more important duty than TO obtain all infor
nation which may show the feasibility of con-
structing such railways with entire safety to those
who may invest their capital in building and
operating the same"