The morning call., 1893-10-16

The reason for this is that the European
merchant usually buys up the entire coffee
crop in advance. Consequently, when our
San Francisco merchants go there they
nave to take what is left
"This is only one of many reasons
which might be given showing the advan-
tage of closer commercial relations be-
tween the United States and the Central
American republic. Our erchsnts would
DO we'll to read the consular reports on
Guatemala. They show that merchandise
is not properly packed. On that account
and because of longer time being granted
them they purchase IN Europe most OF tho
goods which should be supplied in this city.
President Barrios. who resided for over a
year San Francisco. has expressed his
friendliness to this city. He is married
to an American lady. and both the Presi-
dent and his wife would be pleased at the
establishment of closer trade relations
with California.
The coffee crop is Guatemala's principal
industry. An IDEA of the profits in it's cuI-
ture may bs gathered from the fact that the
cost of raising. picking and marketing Is
from 6 to 9 cents per pound. while the
selling price is quoted at from 2S to 80
cents. Cocoa is even q more profitable
product. 1T requires longer time to come
into bearing. however. and consequently
but little has been grown hitherto. A
small crop OF cocoa is obtained at the end
of the fifth year. but good yield is not to
be had until the end of the seventh sea-
son.
Coffee gives the grower net return of
from 500 to $500 per acre and cocoa about
$500, and often more.
Next TO these two products India rub
Der, of which very little has yet been ex-
ported, Is attracting much attention. 1t
is equally as profitable. but is grown on
the lower lands. Another Of the more
valuable Industries of which little has
been said. is logwood, or 'dyewood,' as it ia
sometimes called. 1t pays we'll and re-
quires but small capital. although it af-
lords quick returns.
II obtained an extensive logwood con-
cession from the Guatemalan Government,
and intend to give it my personal atten-
ton. Mexico has been working up the
logwOod industry in that country for a
number of years, but the supply is about
exhausted. Over eighty ships have been
loading annually from Mexican ports with
! logwood, and the demand for the product
is increasing every year. Orange, lemon,
| fig and banana culture, dairying and veg
eta bic growing are all carried on profitably
! in Guatemala, which is literally a land
overfiowing with milk and honey.
| ~ was told before going to Guatemala
| that l coDld not get 10000 acres in one
] body, and that wild coffee lands cost S377
an acre and sometimes $1,000 per acre. AS
matter of fact, any American can get all
the land he wants for trifle over 81 per
ecre. [ was offered about $50, 600 acres Of
good coffee lands In ono tract. Smaller
areas can be secured for about S5 per acre.
The Guatemalan Government admits free
of duty the household goods of colonists.
agricultural implements and ranch ma
chinery.
''lf there were more Americans in
Guatemala more products would be
shipped to the United States. and all the
household supplies. manufactured goods
and machinery would be purchased by
Central Americans in our market. All
our coffee, rice, chocolate and indiarubber
ought to come from Central America,
where these products can be raised better
and cheaper than in any other country.
Next these staples the subsidiary fruits,
such as a plantains. bananas, pineapples,
grandillas, aquacates. and dozens of others
unknown to commerce, should come to us
direct from Livingston. They are OBJ
| tanned in Guatemala of better quality and
In better order than in the West Indies.
There is little accurate knowledge OF
| Guatemala outside of Central America.
Much is said in the United States and in
! Europe about the instability of the gov
ernments and the insecurity of affairs in
the Spanish American Republics. This
| is an erroneous idea, SO far as Guatemala
is concerned. 1t is wisely governed to-
day. Its financial condition is prosperous
and the state Of civilization at which it
has arrived places it beyond any retro
gression
'All the countries of Central America
are represented besides as extremely in
salubrious. This is wholly a mistake.
| Guatemala is neither Panama nor the Mos.
| quito Coast-far from it, The climate is per-
fecty beautiful, healthful and temperate
rather than hot In some places snow falls
| Guatemala is rich country with grand
| future. Her extensive and fertile soil NAV
well give shelter to 100000 inhabitants
instead Of 100000. comprising the present
| population.
"What the country needs now is arms
to perform agricultural labors and capital
to foment and exploit the greatenterprises
which can be established in this republic
| The credit of the nation is well sustained
by the present Government. as Is proved
| by the exactitude with which 1t cancel,
1 and pays the interest of the internal and