The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-22
EN- ROUTE TO PERU.
u. s. Minister Hicks Returning
to South America.
a FEW INTERESTING FACTS.
Vast Mineral Resources but Little De-
veioped-Gigantic Undertaking OF
an English Syndicate.

Hon. John Hicks, United States minister to
Peru. arrived al Seattle last evening and reg
istered at the Rainier He is en- route to San
Francisco. where he will take steamer for
Peru. Mr.. Hicks has for many years been the
editor of the Oshkosh Aorthuestera, published
ct Oshkosh. Wis, and Is well known. not only
In the Badger state, but all over the country as
we'll Speaking OF South America last evening
to Posi- reporter. he said:
Il first went 10 Peru about year and quar-
ter ago and remained there until the 18th o. last
June, on which day returned 70 the United
states for short vacation aud to look otter my
business interests IN this country. Peru is ricG
In precious metals, gold, silver and copper being
found IN great quantities, but the mines have
never been developed until recently, although
s3oO,0eoo0o was taken out by the Jesuits near
Seno Pasco swo or three hundred years ago.
WITHIN the past few years. however. improved
machinery has been introduced and number
OF valuable properties are now being de-
veioped- The mines are still owned prin-
cipaiiy by Peruvians, but Americans or
other foreigners are generally interested and
control the developments. Like the inhabitants
OF all tropical countries the natives of Peru are
an easy-going. incident class OF people and are
seldom engaged in any business requiring much
display OF emerge. One American firm, Backus
Jonnston. have a smelling plant and reduc-
ton works in the Andes and are actively en-
gagged In treating the ores taken from the
mines
Mining is undoubtedly profitable business
In that country when carried with modern
machinery. and the business is as yet in its in
fancy" Speaking OF the agricultural character
OF the country. Mr. Hicks said:
Farming is probably the principal business
OF the inhabitants, and they raise good crops
In the valleys where water is plenty. On the
west slope of the Andes the soil is dry and i'm
CATION is necessary. but the soil is very produc-
tive when irrigated and the people have no diff
fculty in raising sufficient TO supply their
wants. The southern part of the country is a
great grape district and large quantities OF wine
are made therefrom which is sold al over
South America" An sllusion to the guano beds
AID nitrate deposits recalled the somewhat re.
cent war between Chill and Peru.
The guano deposits are about exhausted"
said Mr.. Hicks, "but vast deposits of nitrate are
still in existence in what was formerly part of
Peru. 1he direct causes of the war were as
follows: The nitrate beds are very valuable, as
many chemicals are manufactured from
the nitrate and the refuse furnishes
an excellent fertilizer Nitrate of
soda is mined, or rather quarried, being like
soft limestone. and is taken out in blocks. Il
is then boiled in salt water to prepare il for the
market, the refuse matter as before s;aiei being
These valuable deposits were mostly in Peruvian
territory, but the business OF mining and pre-
pairing the nitrate for market was mostly in the
hands of Chilians and foreigners The Peruvian
government levied q tax of 81 . per ton on the
nitrates exported, as they thought they should
have certain per cent OF the profits. The gov
eminent of Chill objected TO the tax, and the
quarrel eliminated in q Gillian army taking
possession of the district and war being declared
against Peru.
What followed is matter OF history. The
Chilisns more robust people than the Pc
ruyians, and were possessed of the necessary
means to carry on the war while the Peruvians
had an empty treasury aud no credit abroad
and as q natural consequence were defeated
The victorious Chilans were unnecessarily
cruel. and used their victory TO still further i'm
poverish their vsnq aished opponents. The war
left Peru with q debt of $3.50, 600, COO and a few
years ago a syndicate of British capitalists was
organized by Grace Bros. & Co, of which firm
ex-Mayor Grace, of New York, is a
member. to assume the debt under certain
conditions. The project was successfully
carried out, and in return for assuming
this vast debt the Peruvian government grant
ed the exclusive control OF the railroads of the
country, with certain lands, ,or sixry-six years,
and in addition agreed to pay the syndicate the
sum OF fS0.000s per annun for thirty years,
total OF g. 400 000 or abou. SIP 000 coo The syn
dictate is required to complete all projected rail-
roads, involving an expenditure OF $50 O0O, COO or
$4,000 COO. This gigantic undertaking has
proved of great value 10 the struggling country,
while II will undoubtedly prove extremely
profitable to the syndicate When the railroads
are completed the development OF the different
sections of the country will be much more rapid
than before, something greatly needed.
Lima, the capital OF Peru, has a population
of 100 0o0 and the better class of people are good
livers and very hospirable Callao the only sea-
port of any consequence. formerly had popu-
lation of $1,000, but it is not now over 20 600
The deterioration is due TO the failure of the
euano beds There are two lines of steamers
which touch at this port. one Gillian and one
English. The steamers OF both lines ply between
Panama and Valparaiso. Amer lean vessels are
seldom seen. aud the people know little of the
United States, but many OF the principal fami-
lies send their children to the United States to
be educated
Reciprocity would undoubtedly be of great
benefit to the United States aud il is certainly
possible 70 build up trade with Peru, although
the bu OF the business is now in the hands of
Englishmen.
Mr. Hicks is travelling alone, having left his
wife and son in Peru, as his wife did not care to
undertake the long journey. He says be ex-
poets to return 10 tais country at the close of
the present administration and resume charge
of the Northwestern.
"Smoky snohomish" Gets Fees.
John Brandon, OF Slaughter, was brought to
49, o;t aft md bod IN,