The times., 1899-02-13
immigration for Paraguay.

Few Americans have any adequate idea
of the progress of the South American
States, now all republican in form, and
slowly, through an experience not always
as pleasant as it is profitable, becoming
republican in fact. To most persons who
have not Travelled in the far south, the
interior of South America is remembered
only as the geographical textbooks of
quarter of a century or more described
them. Yet there has been a great ad
vance, not only in political institutions,
but in social and business life. Poverty
still prevails to a considerable extent
among the native peoples, but it is not
biting poverty such as our own poor know.
The business affairs in every State are in
the hands of men who have had the ben
eft of travel and OF correspondence with
Americans and Europeans, so that there
is nothing lacking to a great prosperity
but capital and the injection of northern
blood into the working population. OF
some of the States we have heard much
because of revolutions due to the ambi-
tion of adventurers who often show small
regard for the welfare of the country: but
there are quiet sections where an enter
prising citizen of this nation would find
himself agreeably entertained.
Yesterday The Times published letter
from the President of Paraguay, Senior
Aceval, which was called out partly by his
gratitude for an article in The Times on
Paraguay as a land OF oranges In this
letter he showed himself familiar with
American institutions and the chief causes
of the unparalleled prosperity of the great
Republic. He spent some time here twenty
years ago, and being a man of serious mind
and trained intelligence, he carried back
ideas that he is now applying for the ben
eft of the State of which he has become
the political head. 1t has small popula-
tion, the whites numbering only a little
more than half a million. and it is the
chief ambition of the President and the
leading citizens 10 encourage immigration.
especially from this country. There is
room for millions when the resources are
developed. and the land is exceptionally
prolific. Within few years several thous-
and Europeans have been induced 10 settle
there. and they are reported 10 be pleased
with the country and its conditions. There
is no doubt that Paraguay offers as favor
able opportunities for the profitable in
yestment of capital as any of the more
populous Republics that surround it, and
that enterprising young men who are am
bilious TO work their way to riches may
count with confidence on every assistance
the authorities can give. Much of the land
still belongs to the nation and it is allotted
on easy terms TO immigrants.
The main purpose of President Aceval in
writing to The Times was to offer TO send
information concerning the business
chances in Paraguay to persons who are
disposed to settle in Il southern cline
where, owing TO the varied nature of the
surface Of the earth, it is possible to find
an almost temperate climate and still
enjoy the benefits of tropical luxuriance in
vegetation. There seems to be room for
young men who have been trained in any
practical occupation, and with a knowledge
Of American political institutions public
life might offer many rewards that are
not easily reached in our own land. 1t
would be well if some of the unemployed
or irregularly employed laborers of our
great cities could be waited TO Paraguay