St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-07-03
THE LAND OF THE INCAS,
Awakening of Ecuador Under a Lib
eraI Government.

Awakening of Ecuador Under a Lib
eraI Government.
Ecuador is just beginning to awaken
from from it's lethargy, and to learn the
meaning of the words progress and pros
perlty. The oldest of all the South
American republics is rich in undeveloped
resources, which are beginning to at
tract the attention of foreign investors.
A company of American and English
capitalists is building a railroad from
Chimbo to Quito, piercing the very heart
OF the Andes, Others with the pioneers
inherent love for adventure, are pushing
their way into the interior ahead of the
railroad, taking up land for haciendas,
and prospecting in the mountain chains
and valley streams for the gold regions,
which were the source OF the wonderful
wealth OF the Incas.
This interest in Ecuador's resources
dates back only FIVE or six years, when
Elroy Aliaro took advantage of ex.Pres-
dent Flores embarrassment, caused by
his connection with the sale of the Chill
ian cruiser Esmeralda to Japan, to seize
the government and proclaim himself
dictator.
Alfaro is native of the Province of
Manabl. When a young man he was an
officer in the army, and was expelled for
organizing a conspiracy against the gov
eminent. His career from exile to presi-
dent is similar to that of President Pan
do OF Bolivia. 1t is a story of revo-
lutions. Few suspected that such a
stormy petrol would prove a wise execu
tive, but these few seem to have cor
rectly judged the man and his capacity
for government. The year after he pro-
claimed himself dictator he held an cleo
ton and was declared constitutional
president. AS soon as this was done a
liberal policy was established, the power
of the church was wiped out, the arch.
bishop was deprived of his seat in
the cabinet, and the official perquisites
which the clergy had long enjoyed were
cut off. The president claims to be a
good Catholic, but maintains that the
church should keep its influence out Of
politics and devote it's attention to the
spiritual welfare of the people.
The clerical element did not submit to
being deprived of the power it had so
long enjoyed without protest Several
revolutionary movements were started
in the first two years of Afaro's rule,
but they were put down with a strong
hand.
Like most of the republics in Latin
America Ecuador has suffered greatly
because of its deprecated currency, but
as the country is now upon gold basis
it is hoped its credit will soon be re-
stored. The new financial law went into
effect on January of this year. 1t was
passed by the congress OF 1899, but two
years was allowed before it became law
in order to afford an opportunity to
withdraw and redeem an uncertain
amount of money then in circulation.
Martin Reinberg, United States Vice
Consul at Guayaquil, drafted the law
with the assistance of committee OF
bankers and merchants to whom the
matter was referred by the president.
Under the new law bimetalic ratio
of 80 6 to / is established The gold
condor, valued $4.S5 in American gold,
or 81 in English money, is the standard
value. Ten sucres are equal to one gold
condor. The banks are permitted to
issue limited amount Of paper money
for the convenience OF commerce, but it
must be redeemable at the option of the
holder in gold.
1t is next to impossible to get at the
population of Ecuador, but even includ-
ing the uncivilized Indians it is doubtful
if the number of inhabitants can be reck.
oned at more than 100000. With
such a small population a fertile land
lavshes its treasures i'll vain. From the
coast to the interior the virgin forests
hold in store immense riches awaiting
development. The republic has gold,
silver and copper in large deposits, AS
we'll as large haciendas and stock raising
farms, while it is said that it produces
half Of the cacao Of the world. Cacao is
the berry from which chocolate is made.
Alfalfa, corn, barley, wheat and other
grains are raised in the valleys and on
the slopes of the Andes, and all sorts of
vegetables and fruits that are to be
found in any temperate climate.
One-third of the cacao crop is sent to
France, Belgium, Germany, England,
Italy, Austria and Turkey, the United
States and other countries receiving the
remainder. Rubber, of which there is an
abundance, is shipped largely to the
United States. Coffee, which is raised in
considerable quantities on the mountain
slopes in the interior, is absorbed by
Chill and Peru. Other products include
the cinchona, which is sent to Great Brit.
ain: hides and leather, which go to the
United States, and vegetable ivory,
which is taken by Germany. The most
important of manufactured exports is
Panama hats, so named because the
isthmian city at one time was the chief
market for their sale. They are sent
north and south to all of the to Nns on
the Pacific coast of South America, and
NAV also be found in generous quantities
in Cuba and other islands OF the West
Indies.
The foreign commerce varies greatly
every wear, according to the volume and
value of the cacao crop. The average is
about S16,OOO.000, though some years
have run as high as $40 100000. The
foreign trade is conducted largely on the
credit system. Many mercantile houses
in Guayaquil are financed by their cred
itors in Europe. Among the strongest
commercial houses in Guayaquil are
those controlled by the Germans. The
Germans adapt themselves readily to
the social and commercial habits OF
South America, and in many OF the coast
cities NAV be found houses established
fiftv wears ago, and with unlimited Euro
pean capital behind them. The interests
in the business are handed down from
father to son. uncle to nephew, and i'll