New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-08
PROSPERITY IN GUATEMALA.
LESSEE OF THE NORTHERN RAILROAD OF
GUATEMALA TELLS OF THE CEN
TRIAL AMERICAN REPUB-
Lies CONDITION.

Martin Roberts the lessee OF the Northern Rail-
road Of Guatemala, which is in process OF construc-
ton between the city Of Guatemala and the east
coast. is In this city. His visit is for the purpose
of negotiating with local capitalists for raising
funds 10 complete the road. Mr. Roberts left
Guatemala on October q. In speaking Of the
financial and political condition Of that country he
said to q Tribune reporter last night:
The people OF Guatemala were never more pros
perous and peaceful than at the present time
Rumors of smouldering revolution or OF an out
breaking OF hostilities with other States are with
out foundation. Manuel Estrada Cabrera became
President Of the republic last March and his term
OF Office is for six years He has the good VIII
and the confidence Of the moneyed classes. ana is
also backed by the masses as he represents the
Liberal PARTY which has been In control OF Guate
malan nj tional politics since lSn This perloo mas
may seem wonderful Tor Spanish American re- re
public. Since ISL no PRESIDENT mas eA'"eo Ills
oss fop tbe petition which has been circulated
against GSoi tbis 70 say 1t was instisaed BY
~ man named May. who had differences with the
etd of DIT Hunter. The latter, however, did not
believe the claims Of May TO be Just and gave MN
Was VIZ signed in many Instances by people who were
forced TO do know Of certain concern to sgn
their names Dr. Hunter has the support OF al
the Americans who are in business IN Guarer rs
iban the representative of any other foreign ma.
ton and It is through his enterprise ~ b, sge az
rapidly advanced >., r,auroad ,yill
revoutionize the commerce OF Guatemhiai; O AZ,
hundred and thirty-fve miles Of track nave aIeauI
been laid the distance between the seaPorl Oh
Porto Barrios and the inland town OF ri hancho.
The gap from FL Rancho to the city OF GuateHlaIa
Is still TO be closed. When that is done the flch
coffee crops which raised on the Paclnc Watei-
shed, and which now have 10 be carried IN ei a.
around Cape Horn by the way or Australa 70
reach the Atlantic Ocean. will instead be DfoJg ght
direct TO Porto Barrios From there freieht
laden steamer can reach New-Orleans IN Two
DAYS and New-York in seven. The city OF Guate-
mala is connected with San Jose on the Pacinc
Coast by railroad and the completion OF the NORTH
ern will furnish Guatemala with trunk Iie
reaching from coast to coast. The Pacinc inc e~ IL
owned by the Southern Pacific Company Inc
Northern belongs TO the Government. which is TOO
impoverished at present TO furnish funds lor lls
completion. Hence my visit here. 49,.
The coffee OF Guatemala is by far finer article
than that from Santos. The latter brings from q
TO cents pound. Guatemala coffee sells as high
as II or IS cents. We buy our food products
chiefly from the. United States and our manu- ~
featured goods from Germany. The reason Tor
the predominance Of German imports lies IN the
fact that up 10 the time OF the battle OF Manila
americans had not solicited trade Since the
war with Spain much American capital has been
coming IN and the import trade with the United
States has been steadily increasing