The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-13
BoLIvIA's RUBBER TREE LAW.
1t Has FOrty-two Provisions WAR
ranted TO Confuse Any ProspectOr.

fanted TO Confuse Any PrOspector.
From the New York Sun.
The law regulating the control of rubber
trees in the republic Of Bolivia was pro-
mulgated year and half ago. and con.
sists of forty-two articles warranted to
perpleX and confuse the most astute citi-
zen Of North South or Central America.
Article 1 declares that all rubber trees
which may grow in forests or unclaimed
land are the property Of the government.
/ The right to explore the public forests
for rubber trees is limited, by Article II,
to all natives or foreigners No previous
license is required, and such explorations
may be made by any number of persons
at the same time" a person residing for
five years in a community in Bolivia is
considered the proprietor of the land, pro-
Vlded the area OF the land does not eX-
coed seventy-hve hectares" All persons
or companies to whom exploration privi-
leges are granted shall pay fifteen bo-
lVianQS for each estrada and the pay
mentseare to be made on instruments "of
one boliViano year" AT the expiration
of that period presumably the period Of
year, The grantees have absolute right
to the ownership of the land without tax
alton, and also the right to twenty-five
hectares for every hundred estradas which
they had previously received" To enjoy
this sight the grantee must prove that he
has paid all instruments, but those who.
either by donation. purchase. premium,
or by contract with the government. ac-
quire possession of public lands" are
obliged, under Article XII, TO pay $50 boz
liyianos for the rubber trees standing on
the land.
A petitioner for such grant must appear
before the nationa. delegates in 1.-The re-
gions in which they exercise their juris-
diction.' He must state his name, dom-
Gle and profession title which he intends
to give to the portion of the forest land
claimed, the area and boundaries of il
and 1.-The names of his nearest neighbors. 4"
The petitioner is also to present a map
of the ground. The notary of the treas
ury, as the recording officer is called in
Bolivia, files the application and directs
the publication of the petition in the news
papers of the neighborhood three times
consecutively every twenty days. At the
end OF sixty days the petitioner if unop-
posed by his neighbors and oilers, gets a
decree to the land, provided the vertical
ton OF the territory IS witnessed and APP
proved by two experts, one appointed by
the petitioner and the other appointed by
the government. The fees and travelling
expenses Of the experts, their sustenance
and entertainment are paid for BY the pe-
titioner When all these formalites are
attended TO. the petitioner. under Article
xxi, must immedia tely take possession
and 20 to work. for If three months elapse
before he does so uniess through some
impeachment or insuperable ohstacle) he
shall forfeit all claims and rights which he
has secured He must also stipulate as
condition Of occupancy 70 permit the free
Introduction of groceries into the com
munity where he resides-grocerles, with
the exception of liquors. The fine for
violation of this provision Is from fifty TO
two hundred boliyianos and, altogether.
II would seem good deal as II the pros
Derity for rubber trees IN Bolivia should
be well supplied with bolivianos to meet
the various contingencies arising under
the laws OF that South American republic
as enforced by the local officials