The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-05
Tho ,ntcr.Cont,neutal Railroad.

Mr.. CoURTENAY DE KALB. appears in the last
number OF tho Forum. Mr.. DE KALB is n
mining engineer who has travelled across
South America almost to the head waters
OF the Amazon. His practical and con-
servativo views on tho South American
questions. which he has made a special
study. have attracted much deserved Mt
tention to his writings upon tho present
condition OF our sister republics and the
prospects OF developing their resources.
Mr.. DE KALB says that the fifteen thou
sand miles Of railroads in operation in South
America have been built within tho pnst
thirty years. The particularly noteworthy
facts concerning these railroads are that by
far tho larger part OF their mileage consti-
tutcs trunk lines, the feeders being COM
pnratively few and unimportant: and that
these trunk lines have oil proved financially
successful. Tho Argentine trunk lines
extend approximately east and west
through the temperate southern regions.
while the CHILEAN trunk lines extend north
and south along tho populous west coast.
Tho necessity Of continuing the west coast
system has led to projects for further par
alleling the seaboard in Chilli and for build
ing roads southwark from Lima to the
Sullldu lIOuJler, uuu DOJu uleSc pEOJcClS
will be accomplished within decade.
Two other railroad projects of great i'm
portance are now agitated and are certain
To be carried out. The railroad from Anto-
fagasta. Chilli. to the famous mining region
of Huanchaca. Bolivia. has already proved
most serviceable. and has stimulated an
extension Of the Argentine system which
will DO carried north from Juiuy to Huan-
chaca. and a road from the Same plateau is
to connect at Puno on Lake Titicaca with
tho Peruvian line to Mollendo on the Pacific
Thus a route from the Pacific to the At
lantic. with general southeast and north
west direction through some OF the richest
districts Of South America. will be estab-
lished.
In Mr.. DE KALB's opinion: the completion
OF tho system Of roads from Argentina
across Bolivia into Peru will mark the be-
ginning Of q new era, when Interstate trade
will become great factor in South Ameri-
can affairs: and no thinks that upon tho
extension Of these routes Of Interstate
communication depends the completion OF
the inter-continental railroad. These lines
will DO projected in conformity with tho
evident needs Of commerce and Indications
OF traffic already existing. The Lima and
Oroyo Railway. soon to be extended across
tho Andes. will admit to the starving west
coast OF Peru the many agricultural prod
ucts OF the fertile Montana. east Of the
mountains. A railroad connecting the CEN
trail plateau Of Ecuador with Colombia and
the Caribbean Sea by way OF Popayan and
the Rio Cauca would pass through deposits
of coal and iron. and regions Of fruit and
grain growing. where sheep are raised on
the high lands and cotton fourishes at
lower elevations. The writer thinks the
fact that q railroad Is already being built
by an American from Buenaventura. on the
west coast OF Colombia. into the Cauca Val
ley. with Popaydn as its objective point.
proves that this plan OF development is not
q mere dream.
Tho need of these Interstate railroads Is
fast becoming apparent. Mr.. DE KALB gives
figures showing that in 1889 Colombia i'm
ported from Ecuador no less than Sl14.OOO
and exported $55OOO. All this merchandise
was transported ON mule back over terrible
roads in tho Andes. There must DO n con-
siderable demand to encourage commerce
under such difficulties. Mr.. DE KALB gives
other statistics to show that trade between
these States Is growing. although the great
difficulties OF transportation might DO ex-
pectcd to place an embargo upon COM
mercc. He also gives evidence favoring the
plan OF rail communication northward into
Central America.
Colombia Is regarded as tho pivotal State
upon whose development depends tho fate
of rail communication between the three
Americas. Her trade has swelled from
SO 1000. 900 in 1885 to s2e.Ooo.O 900 in 1890. and
this in spite Of mules and bad roads. Rail-
roads are building In various parts Of the
State. and the gaps between them must
some day be filled in. forming systems ex-
tending into the south and terminating at
some point on the Caribbean Sea. He thinks
the city OF Cartagena is marked by nature
for this distinction.
There remains the great gap between
Quito. Ecuador. and tho Peruvian roads.
1t is hard to say when this will be closed.
but Mr.. DE kALB mentions railroad prof.
ccts that are under way or are favor
ably considered. which indicate that tho
central region OF northern Peru must ere
long be penetrated by railroads. When
this Is accomplished the most embarrass-
ing part OF tho South American trunk line
problem will have been solved.
With regard to engineering difficulties.
the demands of commerce will compel the
most stupcndous undertakings. "Agood-
ly traffic." says Mr.. De KALB. sis creeping
slowly along the edge OF Andean precipices.
pushing through deep deilles. risking dan
gerous crossings OF swollen torrents. and
wo know that tho people OF Colombia and
Ecuador arc eager for the disestablishment
OF the slow-Gong mule"
After concluding the prospects OF traffic
that warrant the stupendous undertaking
of joining the Americas together by steel
bands. he advises that every railroad prof.
ect in the line OF the Andean axis in South
America DO examined on its merits. to dis
cover whether there be local traffic enough
TO support it until 1t shall perform its
larger functions Ms part OF great
trunk line. lie says that our engineers
have demonstrated their ability to con-
struct roads in South America more cheaply
than any other people. Tho English rail-
bo, frnp VI zoe