The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-23
TRAVELLING the ANDES.
Plan for . Great -ransoceanic American
Railway.

RAN Tor . Great Transoceanic American
Railway.
Throughout the whole Of South Amer
lea an agitation is being carried on for
the purpose Of strengthening the COM
mercial n political relations of ali the
republics Of the continent by means of
railway communications, in order to ac-
celerate the exchange of the products
OF these countries by reducing the dis
lance. danger n high freight rates of
transportation by way of the Straits of
Magellan.
Everybody recognizes. principally in
Brazil. Peru and Chill, the urgent neces-
sity of Immediately constructing a
South American interoceanic railway.
starting from a Brazilian port, and
crossing the Andes Cordilleras by means
of a large tunnel.
The chief obstacle which hitherto
stood In the way of this enterprise was
the difficulty of raising the necessary
capital, the technical part having al
ready been examined and the plans
drawn up. 1t seems, however, that the
question begins to enter a new practical
sphere, and that an understanding has
been arrived at between the govern
ments of the four interested states which
nave accepted the project and are dis
posed to guarantee the interest on the
capital engaged In this enterprise. The
Peei W S1uduOIs however. nA4 nOI
signed the treaty.
In Brazil public opinion Is very IA
vorable to this project and the idea ex-
cites much enthusiasm. Some time ago
tine Brazilian minister. Bulhoes, secured
a conference of the Engineering club, in
which a great many Of the best known
political and financial notabilities took
part. The ministers Of Chill inc Bolivia
were also present at this meeting and
lne nTn1Rcf WAS most WARMLY nnnnN
mended, everybody promising his sup
port to this Pacific railway.
BOLIVIA, which occupies in South
America n Of the most interesting ter
ritories of the world, on account OF the
variety of it's climate and its natural
of all kinds. remains In a state
of isolation. Not only is II entirely sep
arated from the ocean by the chains
OF h Andes, but 1t has besides that
the misfortune of seeing it's richest and
most peopled territories bordering on
the Brazilian desert.
More thar 1000. 900 people, chiefly en- |
gagged In agriculture and mining, are
obliged to carry their products on mule
back by roads ascending to a height Of |
about 1886 feet and to descend again
to small ports of the Pacific to ship
them to Valparaiso, where they are re-
loaded on large steamers, which, after
having touched all South American
ports and doubled Cape Horn or crossed |
the Magellan straits, finally stop at Rio |
de Janeiro to take coal. m then pro-
coed to Europe.
The freight rates by the route from
Pacific coast to Rio de Janeiro are
The rates average IS shill-
ings (s10.94) from Valparaiso. go shill-
($l4.59) from Mollendo and so shill-
ings (s19.4s) from Callao. The time gen.
orally required for these shipments ave-
RACES 35 days. but in spite of this the
rates by muleback across the
.ordilleras to the Pacific ports are three
or four times higher than that by the
without considering the ac-
and dangers occurring during
the rainy season.
The beasts Of burden which work in
the Cordilleras to a height greater than
!. 900 feet are obliged to march slowly
on account Of the ra~refication of the air,
and cannot carry a load OF over 75 or
20 kilogrammes Q55 to lis pounds. To
I'd, the cost of which. for 10 or Is days
varies from $50 to SIS. This
means that each ton transported from
to Rio de Janeiro on the pres
mt overland road costs from 500 to 800:
besides this. transportation lasts more
han IS days.
Regarding the advantages offered to
the following may be stated:
At present the passage costs: From Rio
lie Janeiro to Valparaiso. 3192: to An
$217: to Mollendo. $241. and TO
callao. $3.50. On the Pacific railway the
rip would cost: From Rio de Janerio
A~ntofagasta, $39.s5. and to Cal
40. SAC.
1t is said that the construction of this
Dad would take about nine years. As
he necessary capital Is already offered.
here rs reason to believe that, as soon
IS an understanding is reached. the road Y
will be etarted.-Philadelphia Record.