The Washington times., 1903-03-12
Minister From Costa Rica
Discusses Difficulties TO
Be Overcome and the Ad-
vantages TO Be Gained
South and Central America
in Accord in Desiring the
Construction of the Road
Extended Communication

CalVo, addressed TO the readers OF The
Times. Signor Calvo discusses the ad-
vsntages 10 be gained and the obstacles
TO be overcome in the construction OF
the proposed railway.
Tho communication is as follows:
When we consider the great influence
which the means Of communication e1-
ercise. not only in the development Of
the natural resources ard other foun-
tains Of national production. but also
in the moral and intellectual advance
ment which the widening OF the sphere
Of action affords to man. the great ben
elts that woulo result to the American
republics from the construction of
continental railroad become evident.
The enterprise is certainly a colossal
one, though IT does not in reality pre-
sent any insurmountable obstacles. and
in order TO become an accomplished fact
1t only requires that the project should
be taken up with a resolute purpose and
properly started.
Traffic Would Pay
II is evident that the development of
local trafic alone would pay. in the i'm
mediate future the cost Of the road. and
that the increase OF the commercial re-
lations between the neighboring coun-
tries would be very rapid, promoting in
this manner the general political. and
social welfare OF all nations OF this con-
tinent, as we'll as securing a closer
union among them. all of which would
tend to daily increase the value of capi-
tai and the profits thereof.
Tho raroCrass xuhfcH Ma~Fcc
in the last few years has naturally at
tracted the attention of the whole
world. and the great impulse given to
all industries demands. for that pros
porous republic. easy means of commu-
nieation with the contiguous States
where excellent markets are to be found
for many of her varied products which
competition on the North carries to
said States in the South, as is the case
at present. particularly with regard to
cotton fabrics and all kinds Of leather
goods.
II is a fact that the Central American
states are constantly progressing; and
while their moral advancement is evil
depced. the development of their mani
fold anc rich sources OF production in
grasses daily thus encouraging new en-
terprises. the Improvement of the exist
ing means of communication, and the
construction OF other new and important
ones
In the far south the Argentine Re
public rises up as an agricultural rival
of the United States OF America, while
Chile initiates a competition on the Pa
ciac coast with the steamship companies
of the great American nation.
These practical examples OF the ad-
vancement OF the Latin American coun-
tries indicate the activity and progress
which they have already reached. and
show clearly the great Importance of
the field which they afford TO business
and enterprise.
Brazil, with her extensive territory.
Uruguay. with her favored geographical
position; Peru, Bolivia. Ecuador. vene
zuela and Colombia, by the exuberant
richness of their soil. all enjoy. in an
equal degree. the benefits Of progress
and civilization.
Abundant Support
Therefore the construction Of a rail-
way through all these countries will
find abundant elements OF support al
n will OF itself create. either owing
TO the influence Of the facilities for
local trafic or as a consequence Of rapid
communication between the different
states.
At the first international conference
held in Washington in 1SSs-sO resoIu-
tions were passed for the purpose of
carrying out this great enterprise and
as a practical result OF the preliminary
steps then taken the proper studies Of
the matter were made by several corps
of engineers. who presented an ex
haustive report. which is printed with
maps and illustrations In seven large
volumes
From these studies IL appears that
the length OF a railroad from New York
TO Buenos Ayres would be All miles
and that half Of this enormous distance
is already covered by existing railroad
lines.
Referring especially 10 the FIRST part
OF this great continental enterprise. n
would be an easy task 10 show that i,
only requires a slight impulse. for it's
realization in all that portion OF .he
hemisphere lying north OF Panama. In
fact, the distance OF 2,1s7 miles from
New York 10 Laredo on the Mexican
frontier. that of $50 miles from Laredo
20 the City OF Mexico. and that OF 343
miles from the latter city to Oaxaca is
covered by railroad lines now in actual
operation.
There are AT the present time two
Mexican railways that approach the
Guatemala frontier. one of which runs
from Puebla TO Oaxaca on the Pacific
slope, and which would require an ex-
tension of 400 miles in order 10 reach
said frontier. and the other which ex-
tends from Cordoba. town situated on
the line of the Vera Cruz Railway on
the mountain range that slopes toward
the Gulf OF Mexico. In addition to the
lines mentioned there are other rsiI-
roads in course OF construction that will
connect with the Interoceanic Railroad
OF the Isthmus OF Tehuantepec, and
-