Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-22
st- I.nnis Glohe nemocrat


The immediate cause of Venezueas dlem-
ma has it's origin in concessions and guar
antees made by previous administrations. and
in the of both Germany and England
the controversies arise from railroad grants
and guarantees in that country The railway
which is the cause of Gerrhafy's demands is
known as the Grand Ferrocarril de Venezuela,
running from Caracas to Valencia, distance
of 40 miles. The concession was obtained in
1887 by Herr Krupp Of Essen, Germany, and
the road built under guarantee from
Venezuela that the bonds would realize per
cent The company formed became known as
the Crosse Venezuela Elsenbahn Gesselschaft.
and the road was completed February. 1894,
some time before the term hxed by the gov
eminent for completion
In many respects il is one of the most re-
markable railroads on the continent In the
short journey it makes through mountains it
was necessary 10 construct 212 viaducts and
bridges and eighty six tunnels Its declivities,
struction has justly exited the admiration Of
the engineering profession. The road is sup
piled with Is locomotives. IS passenger coaches.
s baggage cars and 1855 freight and cattle cars.
The equipment is practically perfect.
The road traverses most romantic section,
making tortuous journey through intermin-
able mountain ranges, over deep gorges and
perilous ravines. At certain places the lire
approaches near yawnfng abysses upon one
side, while on the other great jutting bowl
ders swing out menacngly above. On both
sides OF the road for fifty miles after leaving
Caracas is one continuous garden " coffee
estates, shielded by large shade trees. Now
waving cane. .-
on the line of this road is the historic city
of San Mateo. celebrated in the annals OF
the country for heroic deeds of early pioneers
who sacrificed life to ignite a powder maya
zine to prevent it falling into the hands Of
the Spanards. The city is also noted for
miracle-working image of the Virgin, which
is said TO perform many, marvellous things.
San Mateo was also the home Of the great
nberator. Simon Bolivar and here occurred
the death OF his young wife.
The Lake of Valencia. around which the
road curves 70 rmany miles. is like the Cas-
plan sea, having no visible outlet The shore
line near the railroad is bleak and DESERT
like, having once been part Of the basin.
The city Of Valencia, originally built on the
lake shore, is now five miles distant at low
water
on this line is also located Antimine. an
interesting resort valley of the Guaire, where
wealthy families of Caracas have built many
large and elegant homes, and where they
spend the hottest months of the summer. Sur
valley are III coffee estates and eight large
sugar plantations.
The contention of England is not so clear
but concerns the railroad, the little narrow
gauge line, running from Port La Guayra 10
Caracas, a distance of twenty-five miles. The
two places are only seven miles apart in
straight line. This road is also an interest
ing piece of engineering, crawling among the
clouds above La Guayra, 1000 feet in the
first ten miles of it's course toward Caracas.
It was on account of this road that the famous
and bridges over the mountain to be destroyed
that traffic might be detected to the rail-
way. II would seem, however, that his sue