The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18
DEVELOPMENT ~ PATAGONIA
President Roca Tells Of His Visit to the VAST
Southern Part of Argentina.

President Roca OF Argentina has been visit
ing tho great southern regions Of the rcrub-
lie. and in his message to Congress last
month he outlined what the Government
desired to do for Patagonia. parts of
which are CAPABLE OF supporting large popu-
lation. He spoke in terms Of the wurmest
praise Of the work done by the Welsh colony.
and the story he told OF the enterprise and
success OF these foreigners is quite remark
able. To understand what they have done
1t must be remembered that the greater
part OF Patagonia. east of the Coril-
eras is a stony. almost a rainlcss desert. The
country is in tho region OF the west winds. and
thu moisture from the Pacific falls in rain on
the west slope Of the Andes and the vast
plains to the east get little OF it. But there
are long rivers crossing these great plains. and
they are swollen at times 10y melting SHOWS
from the mountains. and. by irrigation. parts
OF their valleys may be made very fertile.
Thirty four years ago. 1872 coal miners from
Wales settled near the Atlantic coast in the
valley Of the Chubut. one OF tho largest of the
patagonian rivers. They knew nothing about
farming. but were tired OF labor troubles at
home. and a countryman induced them to 20
to this virgin region across the sea and begin
life anew. The land they settled on did not
look very promising. but 1t was the best they
could find. Indians were their only neiGhbors
and fortunately the white pioneers were men
OF kindly feeling. and won the friends hip of the
natives who we're helpful to the emigrants
when they were in sore need.
The Welshmen set about the work OF build
ing their cabins and sowing and tling the
ground, but their crops were wrotchcd in this
arid region. and suffering came which was
mitgated by the Tehuel-che Indians. who
brought to the colonists berries from the
mountains, and gave them game and fish in
exchange for small wares from England. But
the colony would certainly have failed If it had
not occurred to them, that they might make
River and turning the flood over the land.
Only the ooantf9l rrsultR Of this SohemG
irrigated 10 iorty-etght miles long. with "a mean
bEe e 9th OF five miles; and the area is about
10000 10 9ss6 Of 4 ns e1 as any
volcanic ashes, which mako the best oi tlaGe
land II It is sufficiently waterrd. A network Of
to the fields. and the size OF, the farms varies
from 200 to 80 acres. Nearly half tho land is
as abundant as those Of amy other settlement
To-day %i the wheat OF New Wales" has the
duced in South America, About 1000 tons ara
exported every yearto Liverpool, after lIinG
vain effort to make q good harbor IL the estI-
airy of the Chubut River, and so they built
mfs 9nG With o
F Fh point NfE%s dSd' lew }sSE sS
llings, the colony is now the home q
$500 prosperous people. OF whom LAP
are Welshmen and the others are English.
Italian and Argentine settlers. Cattle farm
ing Is also carried on. and the settlers own
over 5000 horses. cattle and sheep There is
not O pauper nor policeman III the COM
munity, and the colonists have pianos, harris
and violins. IA we'll as plough5 and harrOws.
Sunday H. religiously observed and services in
the chapsls are conducted by seven Welsh and
two Church Of England clergymen and a
Roman Catholic priest.
No wonder President Roca Is encouraged TO
foster colonization in Patagonia. He says the
Government should no longer give grants of
large blocks OF land. but must facilitate the
acquisition OF small farms and thus encourage
INN grafton and bona ilde settlement He
adds that better system of administration is
to be established throughout that region. that
the Government " III open better facilities for
transportation. and that serious proposals for
the building Of railroads have been received
1t u near the CurCiillerns In the valleys among
tho foothills that the largest areas OF land
favorable for grazing and agriculture are
found. Here and there cOlunistS are taking up
these lands. But there can be no adequate do
veopment until the cOiOnists have access to
market either by rail connection with the At
lautic ooaSt Of Patagonia or with the Argentine
system OF railroads. and the new settlers in tho
great southern country will hail with Joy the
assurance Of the l'resident that transportation
facilities are to Ds provided III the near future