The Portland daily press., 1890-05-20
ALL ABOARD FOR VALPARAISO DIRECT.
Possibilities of RailroadIng In the
American Hemisphere.
Secretary Blaine Calls Attention to
the International Line.
Arrangements for a Preliminary Sur
vey of the Route.

WASHINGTON, May 1s.-The President
sent to the Senate and House today copy
of letter from the Secretary of State trans
mitting the proposition adopted by the Pan
American Congress for an lnter.continental
railway. The letter is as follows:
To the President
have the honor to submit herewith q plan for
the great Commercial cities OF the American
hemisphere. No more important Recommended
ton has come from the International American
Conference, and earnestly commend it to your
attention with full confidence that prompt action
will be taken by Congress to enable this govern
ment to participate In the promotion of the enter
prise. The resolutions OF the conference are ac-
companied by special reports concerning the
transportation facilities which already exist In sew
era es Of the 3 Isse @ oS % III
thentic.
President Diaz. sne railways OF Mexico have been
extended S0ufnward as well as northward and
toward the ewo oceans. The development Of the
Argentine system has been equally rapid. The
lines OF track now reach from Buenos Ayres to
the northern cities of that republic and nearly TO
e e@ o pom emu nas ~ S y
and the completion of the tunnel now being pierced
through the Cordilleras will bring Valparaiso
Ayres. In the other republics similar enterprise
has been shown. Each has its local lines of rail-
way. To connect them all and furnish the people
OF the southern continent the means OF convenient
and comfortable intercourse with their neighbors
north OF the IsthmuS is an undertaking worthy
the encouragement and cooperation of this gov
ernment In no other way could the government
and people of the United States contribute so
much TO the development and prosperity of our
sister republics, and at the same time to the ex-
panS0n OF our own commerce.
A very important feature of the report to which
especially direct your attention will be found In
the International declaration that the line pro-
posed shall be forever neutral territory, and that
the material necessary for the construction and
operation OF the road shall be admitted free of
duty and that its property and revenue shall be
Away exempt from all forms of taxation. This
guarantee having all the force of a treaty will
stimulate private and public confidence and lead
TO the investment OF capital that might otherwise
be reluctant and distrustful.
1t Is proposed that a survey to ascertain the
best and most economical routes be made under
the direction OF an International commission, the
expense to be shared by the several nations in
proportion TO their respective populations. The
share OF the United States is estimated at $780,
OOO would respectfully suggest the PROPOSE
ton OF securing from Congress an appropriation
for that purpose. Three commissioners will be
requested to represent the United States upon the
International board and authority should be asked
for detail of officers of the army and navy to
serve as engineers in conducting the survey. The
headquarters OF the commission, by vote of the
International conference, will be located at Wash
lngton. 1t is proposed to invite the commits
SlonerS to meet here in October next or as soon
hereafter as possible for the purpose of organ
ization and initiating the work of the survey.
Respectfully submitted
JAMES G. BLAINE,
Secretary of State.