Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-08-28

debt or the mere interest of the same,
much less is there prospect of re-
organizing old industries, to say moth
ing of planting new. Mems minds
are wholly taken up with the struggle
for mere existence, since all manner
of industry, all public works, and even
most of the agriculture, is paralyzed
through the general liability of both
men and products to be carried off to
the war by either party. Rare, in
deed, is the recompense made in
full for these acquisitions of provi-
sions; never for seizure and impress
ment of men, or for the many lives
wantonly sacrificed.
This gives some hint of the poverty
and misery in the rural districts.
There is scarcity even of common
fruits, greater scarcity of raiment, and
real danger to life. This general and
now rapid progress toward anarchy
has already reached the stage of
brigandage in numerous sections, and
is liable to manifest itself in any
country district. In the cities there
is more open vice than at any previous
time. Drunkenness, once rare is al
ready monstrous and still growing
evil. Gambling, lotteries and bull
fights-all licensed by the govern
ment-absorb the available cash of
all classes. True, the bull fights have
recently been suspended, as they de-
mand greater outlay; but even the
theater has been starved out Mean
time, for four cents man or woman
may get rum enough to still the
pangs of hunger and, as effectually,
drown all sense of shame. The ma
jority of families do not succeed in
getting one fair meal day-many do
not have that-and yet, not a little
luxury in women's dress is seen on the
streets, for almost everything is sacri-
feed to obtain a new gown and hat,
while hunger gnaws their families at
home.
1t is not strange that the rate of
mortality of Caracas is very high,
while the level of social life and
morals has fallen lamentably low.
Many of the better class have left
the country for Cuba, Porto Rico and
other less disturbed countries. All
foreign investments are quoted at be-
low par and going lower. True, pa
per money has not been launched upon
the country, but gold is scarcely to be
had at any price. Silver coin there
is from 81 down. Bank notes are no
longer taken, although the bank is so
involved with the government that its
credit would hold good if that govern
ment were good. At intervals the
dicator has sent gold out OF the coun-
try to buy silver to be coined in
France and brought back for circula-
ton at gain-to Caracas-of 100 per
cent.
An excellent description of Caracas
which is apparently soon to be the
scene of the most important engage
ment of the war, is given by William
l.. Scruggs in his book, 'The Colon
bian and Venezuelan Republics"
Three thousand feet above the
sea, less than seven miles in direct
line from the coast, yet separated
from it by mountain peaks which
tower fully 5000 feet above its streets,
stands picturesque Caracas, the lit
tie Paris of South America, the politi-
cal capital and literary center of the
republic of Venezuela. The city is sit
uated in the center of the beautiful
little Chacao valley, deep basin in
the eastern cordillera of the Andes,
less than IL miles long by four wide
A cto dc n
cordan of blue mountains and green
foothills, fringed with coffee estates
and sugar plantations; and coursing
through it is the rapidly running little
river Guira, fed by limpid streams of
pure mountain water. The spot is as
beautiful as picture, the climate is |
equable and temperate, the air is soft |
and balmy, and stranger, seeing the |
place for the first time, is apt to con-
clude that it must be indeed the
earthly paradise it is sometimes rep
resented .. 1t is not quite |
so attractive on further acquaintance.
You discover that the atmosphere is
sometimes damp and malarious, and
that mountain fevers, catarrh, liver
complaints and infiammatory rheu- |
matism are common ailments. Il
The city is regularly laid out in blocks |
or squares of uniform size, extending |
from the banks of the Guira, on the
south, to the height of several hundred
feet up the slope of the mountain, on
the north. The streets are generally
narrow. though somewhat wider than
those of the average Spanish-Ameri-I
can city. and are generally well paved
with stone, macadam or asphaltum
Caracas, unlike most Span
cities, abounds with
public parks and flower gardens. There
are some IL or IA altogether, and
some of them are well kept and ex-
quisftely beautiful In the center of
nearly every one of them is a costly |
statute in bronze or marble, erected in |
honor of some popular hero or states |
man of the country. The I
new capitol, erected during Guzman's !
reign, occupies 4 whole square near
the center of the city. The building !
is large and snowy edifce. though |
somewhat cheaply built of rather in
ferior materials"
Porto Cabello, one Of the important
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