BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-03-12
NICARAGUA
Mining And Agricultural
Conditions At Rama,

The following article on Nicaragua taken
from the Monthly Bulletin issued by the
Bureau of American Republics, should be OF
interest In the discussion of the relative
merits of the Panama and Nicaragua routes.
There seems to be any number OF parti'
sans on both sides. In conversation Win
men row residing in Porto Rico, but VINO
have spent many years on the lst6mns, IL IL
learned that the msj,rity OF miners, work
men and people familiar with the topogrs
phy and climate of both Colombia and Mica
ragua. favor the Nicaragua route, nnd
claim that it means the opening OF new
country TO build the canal there. At Panama
it means the canal and nothing more;
uMr J. p. Morgan, in Communication
TO the "Monthly Bulletinn, dated Rama,
December 90, 1901, states that, in this opin.
ion. the people of other countries do moi
aave proper conception of Nicaragua and
the resources of the country. In his exsen'
sive travels through Central and South
America he states that be has found few
countries that excel that Republic in natural
advantages, its climate being very salubrIous,
yellow fever is unknown on the Atlantic
coast, the soil is elceediugly fertile, while
the inhabitants are intelligent and prospe
rOus.
TIE mining and agricultural industries
are extensive and profitable. In the depart
ment of q slaya there are numbers OF rubber
plantations, on one of which it is claimed
there are 100000 growing plants. Banana
plantations are to be found IN all parts o.
The Department, and some rich [gold mines
are in the vicinity of Rama. A mine
known as GEL Mco", situated at distance
trayersable in six or seven hours OF ordinary
travel from Rama, is employing 2O staml
mill and a large number OF wOrkmen. Tat
ledge from which the ore is taken is " fee
in thickness, and there are IL claims OF 2O(
yaras (a vara is about 81 inches) II
length, with others of nearly as great al
area. Other mining companies are the ''Sal
Franc scoD, the "Star", and the '.Prospec"
all of which are seon to be equipped Will
stamp mills. In order to arrive at the min
ing center the traveller takes boat at Rama
and after Journey of about six hours du
ration lands at Ell Moco. A walk OF from
twenty to thirty minutes, through banan'
and plantain plantations, which belong t.
the El Moco Company brings him to tn
mills and the surrounding village of WORK
mems dwellings, Many of the buildings
including one 80 feet long, are constructed
of pine lumber imported from New Orleans
Others, including the assay Office, are bull
of native woods.
Messrs. O. A. Abbott and E. Fulks, VIII
have charge of the plant, report that the.
have found the native labor very satisfac
tory. Nearly all the invested capital on th,
Atlantc c coast is American, and the Englisl
language is spoken quite generally both a
r anna and Bluefelds. The mine owner
aad merchants find the laws of the countr.
as administered hy the Government vel
adapted to business needs. The only COM
plant made concerning economic condition
is that the importation of luIaries is prohib-
tied, which in some cases, is found to Wor
hardship to the upper classes.
A new line of fruit s'eamers was recent,
established By the Blue6elds Steamshil
Company, and Rama is one of its trading
ports. Rama also has triweekly mail ser
vice as we'll as cable communication soitl
the outside world