Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-01

Sk1rt1ng the shores or the CarlDDean
sea, passes freely everywhere, those
of the minor countries being discount
ed at different rates. The paper mon
ey of Guatemala is discounted at s to
1 American, and silver about 21R to 1.
Guatemala has been bankrupted by
dishonesty in government, by the
granting of immensely valuable con-
cessions, for a consideration, to for
eigners, and as a result system of
heavy export duties has been inaugur-
ated. This, together with the insta-
bility of the currency, and the insecur-
ity of the government, has proven
great detriment to business, as we'll
as hindrance to the development of
the wonderful resources of that coun-
try
But Notwithstanding all the difficult
ties which beset man who desires to
embark in business in the Central
American countries, there are unques-
tionably great opportunities there to-
day.
Fortunes in Fruit.
northerner who has been in the
habit of paying at wholesale .$1.50 for
bunch of bananas, can hardly credit
the fact that they can be produced
profitably at a price of 20 to 80 cents
per bunch, but nature is SO generous
to the people of the south that but
little labor is required in the produc-
ton of many crops In year, and this
seemingly low price leaves a good
margin to the planter. The fruit
brings in New Orleans from 80 cents
to $1.00 per bunch, and the United
Fruit company having the control of
this trade, is reaping immense for
tunes yearly.
A fruit vessel with an average car
go, carries out of Belize, Honduras,
10000 punches of bananas, from co.
900 to 100000 plaintains, and from
100000 to 100000 cocoanuts. Thou
sands of lunches of bananas, too ripe
for shipment, may be seen at any time
rotting along the railway track at
Puerto Cortez. The natives will not
use them under any consideration, re-
garding them of value only for export.
Oranges sell at 81 per barrel, and pine
apples cent each at retail.
Valuable Woods.
The fruit industry is perhaps the
most important and most profitable
of any in Central America, but in adj
dition to this the large guam
titles of mahogany and log
wood, brought down from the
interior on the rivers, are source
of great profit. There is usually in
the harbor at Puerto Cortez, awaiting
shipment to France, one million dol
lars worth of logwood. Mahogany is
the cheapest wood to which the peo-
pie have access.
The only difficulty in the way of the
immediate development of this very
profitable industry is the lack of
transportation facilities The ship
ment of products from the interior to
the coast is attended with much dan
ger and many hardships. There are
but few railroads, and these penetrate
only short distance into the interior.
| The trails are inaccessible during the
greater portion of the year, and traffic
on the rivers is constantly impeded.
Concessions.
| Foreigners, constantly on the alert
for fields worthy of investment, are
| being attracted by the exceeding rich.
ness of this country. Only recently
a concession of 645,O00 acres of land
rich in minerals and in timber, was
| granted to an American syndicate
/ with number of wealthy New York
ers at the head Coal, copper and
gold mines are being opened, and ar
rangements are now being, completed
to clear the rivers for navigation, and
build railways into the very heart OF
the forests of mahogany and logwood
Expert assayists and competent mine
managers are now on the ground
Capital will, no doubt, during the next
decade, do wonders for this country
and in return gain rich rewards.
Allan B. Bevans.