Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-20
Advices From France State That
Work on the Panama Canal
WILL BE RESUMED IN TWO MONTHS,
Visitor Talks Interestingly on South
American Matters.
THE INTERNATIONAL RAILROAD A GO

the Duquesne last night, and though at
first reluctant to be quoted for what he
might say, he finally acquiesced, and spoke
very Interestingly regarding various matters
in relation to the Southern Republics. Mr..
Muellierro has information to the effect that
work on the Panama canal will be resumed
within few months, He has reason to be-
lieve that within short time the Interna.
tional Railroad Commission will bring
forward statement which will show that
project to be nearer naturalization than
is generally supposed. He speaks very
pertinently touching the backwardness of
American manufacturers in ascertaining
the requirements of the South American
people, and in seeking to sell them goods
that they don't want rather than mer-
chsndise that they do.
Possibilities in the Railroad Way.
Mr.. Muellierro recently met members of
the International. Railroad Commission in
Philadelphia. They had had an interview
with an official of one of the trunk lines,
and were able to, express the belief that the
railroad project would be put on material
basis in a short time. The construction of
road between the City of Mexico and Buenos
Ayres, a distance of between 1000 and 4500
miles, will provide the means of cOmmunica-
tion necessary to an Interchange of trade be-
tween the two countries, a drawback, which
will, no doubt. be remedied IN time,
Is the bad management which obtains in Mexi-
can domestic affairs. A very much larger
trade than is carried on now would exist be-
tween Mexico and the States If the Customs
department were managed on business princi-
Piles. Goods from this country can be entered
only with great deal of trouble and delay.and
tnfd dufi md for
and unintentiepal infringement of a rule.
Mr.. Muellierro is in receipt of information.
indirectly, from France which leads him to be-
lieve that the Panama project will be revived.
He was informed, when in New York, that Mr..
Slaven, of the Slaven Dredging Company. had
been instructed to have his TWO dredges pre-
pared for work and cn,on to rsnoye then then
on the canal would be resumed within few
months. This company constructed the first Is
miles of the canal, and is credited with having
of the two dredges was s5oO. 900 each. MIR.
Slaven held stock of the Panama Railroad
Company as security for the payment of a bal
ance of S450000 due to him by the projectors,
and this amount, less s25. 900 which he had
thrown off, had since been paid to him.
A Railroad That Pays Handsomely.
Mr. Muellierro says that the Panama Rail-
road is one of the best-paying railways in the
world, but it is not surprising when it is stated
that the fare from Aspinwall to Panama, dis
tance of 45 miles. used to be SIS; it has since
been reduced.
81 was at Panama." continued Mr..
Muellierro when operations on the canal
were in progress. The mortality was some
thing unusual, and death came to be regarded
a thing which scarcely deserved thought.
engineers, clerks and officials who had been
sent out from France In connection with the
project and the mortality among the workmen
averaged 200 deaths day. The bodies of these
m Nar cd r.tth nnParnmOni0ESlV
money sufficient to buy coffin were not found
on body, the corpse was thrown into the ditch
the first gravel train which came along. Thou
sands of bodies were buried in this man
ner, and when the earth had settled
under the influence Of the sun, con.
tribute added EMBELLISHMENTS to the already
deadly nature of the climate. The Jamaican
than any other people, and they were
brought there in shiploads, but even
these men suffered terribly from fever,
and died in large Numbers The projectors
wanted to import 10000 coolies from China to
carry on this work, as they have the reputation
of being very hardy, but the Colon bian Gov
ernment would not allow it. From what un-
derstand the French people have by no means
given up the project. and expect to hear of a
resumption of Work on the canal within TWO or
three months.
One Look Around Is Enough.
s'The place has been given such bad repute
for its climate that it may be difficult to induce
French officials to live there. When 1 was
there it was common for one-half of a shipload
of men who had been sent out to return. satis-
fed with mere glance at the place. and every
returning vessel carried back many of those
who had been there but short time"
Mr. Muellierro says that the Nicaragua canal
project is proceeding very slowly, and he hears
that there is quite a lack of financial backing
to the undertaking.
The Argentine Republic. in the estimation
of Mr.. Muellierro, Is the most advanced of the
Southern Republics in the matter of CONNER
cial progress. Business is suffering now some
what, owing to the Barring failure, which has
caused a stringency in the money market and
shortened credits, but the people are daily be-
coming more alive to the advantages of trad
ing facilities, and are prepared to extend their
commerce at every opportunity BuenoS Ayres
has increased in population to wonderful de-
gree in few wears, and the number of inhabi-
tants now exceeds 100000. The houses Of the
weather. people are luxuriously furnished,
aud the residences are generally very costly.
The people spend money freely, but the bulk of
il, instead of coming to this country, goes TO
France and Italy ana England.
The American manufacturer" remarked
Mr. Mueierro, in tins connection, ''is alto
gether too independent He wants to force on
our people in tie Southern countries what he
thinks they ought to buy, rather than what
they want to buy. Instead of consulting their
tastes, ascertaining their habits. and informing
himself regarding tho needs of the people, and
then manufacturing his goods to suit his trade,
he consults the customs that prevail here, and
sends into those markets goods of character
that the people don't want, and, of course,
won't buy.
Caterers to the Peoples Tastes.
''It is different with the French and Ger
mans. They send over agents periodically
whose business it is to see what the people
want. and when they return they are in a posi-
tion to trade with these countries to the best
advantage. In this w.y they secure nearly the
whole. of the trade. If Americans were to
adopt the same plan they would get large
amount OF cnstom that now goes to Europe. 1t
would pay American manufacturers in par
tlcular line OF business to club together and
send an agent into these countries for the sole
purpose OF acquiring experience regarding the
conditions OF life, and the requirements and
character of the people. The American drum
mer' has no equal in the world, but he labOrs
under great disadvantages in trying to do busi-
ness on American principles among people who
are widely different in character, temperament
and customs from his na ion.''
Mr.. Muellierro thinks Venezuela will become
more prosperous when the poIitlcal influences
which now affect her commercial progress are
abated or Changed for the better.
1t is pity" he said, "that the President
should not have longer tenure of office than
two years. 1t is notorious that the past incum-
bents of the office have used the position more
for their own aggrandizement and emolument
than in the Interests of the people. Guzman
Blanco. who was President up to five years
ago. and served for several terms, used mis-
opportunities to some advantage. He accumu-
lated an Immense fortune. and by virtue of his
wealth and power, practically did what he
pleased. He is now living in Paris on for
tune Of $4,000, 900 which he acquired in such
manner that he dare no. return to oVeuezuela.
A Great Future for Venezuela
"The country has future before it, and
there are signs that it will shake off the apathy
which has characterized Its administration,
and encourage better business relations with
other countries. The election of Thebar to