New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-15
TO OPEN UP SOUTH AMERICA.
FEATURES OF AN IMPORTANT PLAN TO JOIN
THE TWO CONTINENTS
,popos1xa TO sr11.p A RAILWAY FROM CARTA.
GENA TO PERU, THERE TO CONNECT WITH
An EXISTING systemic REACH THE
UNITED STATES BY RAILROAD
AND STEAMER
my TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBUNE.l

the international Congress is considering, among
other things scheme for South American railroad
which has already attracted some attention III New
York and at the capital The proposed railway Is 10
run from Cartagena in the United States OF Colombia
lid the Magdaena River Valley and along the eastern
slope OF the Andes penetrating as lar as 'usco' rcIu'
where Il is TO connect with existing south Amcri-
can system. From Cartagcna northward commuhl-
cation with the North American Republics Is TO be
over two separate lines One of railroad, is to run
up through Central America and Mexico 10 JOIN uio
railway system west OF the Mississippi KlVer' INC
other by steamboat, is to cross the CarDDeah sea anu
tie Gulf OF Mexico, connecting at New-OrlcahS WIN
Eastern lines of travel. With the missing SCUM
American links constructed, the continents would
be united by a continuous chain of railroad, eNtehd
ing practically from the northern boundary Oh inc
limited states TO the southern edge of the Argentine
Republic. ,,.,.
The project Of building these connecting links
from Cartagena, through Colombia Ecnaoor anu
Peru TO the vicinity of lapaz in BOLIVIA, mas acu'
taken shape, and an association mas Ocen ioi''0
by Henry c. Parsons and Others to undertake the en-
terprise or at least to determine whether su'h ''
enterprise is possible and practicable Inc asSocia
tion has applied for from the Legislature Oh
Virginia and after getting this purposes 10 ralse oS
subscription a survey fund Of S2OOOoo WIN WHY" ~
send an exploring party through the region ol country
TO be built over. If the conditions are 1aVoraple
the subscribers are to constitute the stockholders Oh
a company which will 20 on TO construct the road
II the necessary funds can be raised. The PROJECT
comes before the Pan-Amercan Congress a one most
likely 10 further the ends which the delegates have IN
view and which can be commended 70 the "oNcrh-
ments of the various countries through which the line
of railroad to pass a. an enterprise worthy of all
possible assistance and protection
Some details of the scheme have been set forth III
an address recently issued by the trustees Of the pro
rh al 4.
Halves, of New-York. and John W. Thompson OF 'his
city. This address outlines the project Is follows
Those who feel sufficient interest in the subject sha
contribute and create explorers fund Tor TINS purpose
That men outside politics, but OF National reputation
be invited to and that an opportunity be
given for general contribution.
That charter shall be secured from the LoSS AZURE
Virginia for company authorized to take ana ho'd any
charters grants concessions that may be secured IN
South America Congress Of the United States
and that this company organized by the contributors 10
the explorers fund
That there shall be request for aid from any Gov
ernments any concessions, conditional except
to ask an expression from the four republics immediately
concerned that during the exploration they would 90
nothing limit their power to treat with THIS company
and request OF the several Governments for such pIotec
ton and expedition they may properly grant.
Whenever the sum contributed shall be sufficient an
engineering party of than twenty will be sent
to explore mountains, entering from the Magdaeh"
and trying any and passage that may promise an
time upon the water the location to point that
NAV connect with other system Of railway
This Is all that Is proposed. The attempt Will not
be in the interest any railroad banking house or
section II the mountains shall present nsuperable OBJ
sacle the results will contributed TO science and any
fund remaining will be returned II the answer be favor
able, a plan will be developed, in which any advantage
that shall accrue will the contributors to the
EXPLORERS Fund up onc-haf tho remaining Interest
being upon equal to the bankers and people
Of South America.
IL any railroad be built upon this line it VIII
be peculiarly beneficial line projected from Newly ORR
through Washington and Tampa reaches Caraeena, Cuzco
and MoendO 1t invites connection at C"rro dc PaSco
with q road Lima and La Paz with systems from
Chilli and BuenOs Ayres it skirts the open plain that
offers line straight and level to the Rio Grande the
parana and Buonos Ayrcs with branches to Montedeo
to Rio Janero supplemented by line from Caragcna VIA
the Altrato to a port the Pacific. If the road could
be built, it would suGg from competition The
sharp curvaturcs and excessive grades and
the great brdpcd at the cast make parallel
ling that foe Of railroad enterprises impossible.
To all the republics of the Pacific the line is remark
ably direct The distance from Cartagena TO Cuzco would
be less than 1000 miles Cerro de Pasco, about LOO
miles. fast steamships placed on the %uf, the
line from New-York would be follows: To Tampa two
days Cartagena five days. TO Cerro de Pasco seven
days TO Cuzo. eight days to Moendo, nine days, and
Lima, eight DAYS.
According the information that we have found or
what has been kindly given us, the work upon the
Magdalena division. though much OF it TO be laid upon
trcses and in side would not be more expensive
than average of railroads Upon the Napo
and Ucsyali the would be lighter except in tho
overflow region approaching the Msranon where for posi-
bly, fifty miles, iron trcstes fifteen feet high would be
Quired. The foot OF the mountain that supports Cuzco
and Cerro de Pasco itself be reached branches Of
the Ucayai Aside from the mountain barrier a great
difficulty. both in building and operating be expected
from the rainfall. We have had experience
In country where the annual rainfall j. seventy inches,
What foundations, sheds retaining walls brcakw aters
NAV be required must be considered
There is IN favor Of this project forcbe
the suggestion of moments study OF the map Of the
Western Hemisphere. before referred Between the
seventieh and e9heth parallel, Of longitude lie the cities
and countries to be sderd. Directly south Of Washing
lies Quito, and every other capital Of South America
and all Of the territory, narrow strip Of Ecuador
which lies to the Washington will be
miles and In hours 10 the ndEe> Of Tolima
cisco; and Cartagena will be to Washington
Mexico is by the present route The wonderful mineral
districts of Cuzco Cero de- Pasco and Paz VIII b.
twenty times measuring time and difficulty, l.
the Of the Sacramento when the Commonwealth
OF California planted In the Wilderness. 1t will De
possible letter from Liverpool Santiago
In less time than has been made by mail
between Liverpool and Breno> Ayes.
This system however, would not be perfect without
steamship line along Pacific Fortunately
only tho mountains that front the Pacific Is
where the rivers Aatc and San Juan inerlock the
Ishmus OF DsIien. From point the Magdalcna RAN
road, miles south OF Can line already
veyed be TO port on the Pacific. If from this
port a line Of steamships be established 70 Santiago
connecting with the cities and the short lines running down
70 the coast. great system could be perfected.
system taking in NewOrleans Tampa Key West. and
Havana DO established reaching American lines
II would be possible with the greatest and
petition, handle the business and immediate
connections sell tickets and check baggage every
principal IN the five republics 10 every principal
IN the United States, and TO the great ports Of
Europe.
There is In al this uncertainty. however. painful
and apparent cestantythe road will Immediately pay.
II is thing build road Government account
It is another and very different thing to build 1t upon
private account 1t Is difficult 10 conceive county
that would furnish little immediate business with 80
great uncertainty TO development Above the BRIDE
OF the Maranon 600 miles OF navgabc waters
but entire could be carried Missouri
stern. wheeler drawing two feet OF The might.