The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-06-09
IN URUGUAY.
"A WONDERFUL PART OF THE
 WORLD.
The Country and its People as They Impress the Foreigner TO-day-The Mining Industry.
Special Correspondence of the Journal
 and Courier.

Especial Correspondence of the Journal
 and Courier.
 Montevideo, Uruguay, May 1, 1904.
 Travellers fresh from the western side of South America view the Atlantic coast with disappointment, for bound less plains and majestic rivers appear tame and unattractive by contrast with Andean scenery. One is also struck by a marked difference in the general look of the towns; because while people un- der the shadows of the great Cordillera live in constant fear of earthquakes, and therefore build none but low, thick walls, those on the eastern side having no such dread, rear houses as high as their means will allow. But there are compensations, even for lack of pietur- sequences. The archaeologist, the nat uralist, the lover of nature, may find solace in the thought that, though the antiquities of Peru, the solemn gran deur of Bolivian scenery and the diver sified beauties of Chili are wanting, in- dustrial developments has made much more rapid progress on the eastern shores. Numerous railway lines tra- verse the great plains, and ships of all nations ply on the rivers; so that one may accomplish in few weeks time and at trifing cost expeditions which formerly required months of laborious travelling and the expenditure of for tune.
 One misses the rambling old casas of Lima, Santiago, Guayaquil and Arequi- lpa-with their MoorIsh patios, their blank walls turned street ward, hiding fountains, flowers and loveliness In the linner courtyard. The more ambitious houses of Montevideo and Buenos Ayres | have flat roofs commanding wide sea view, and are the favorite resort of the inmates in fine weather. Most of them have a sort of watch-tower, called a mirador roofed and widowed on all lsides wherein-however rains may beat or winds may blow-idle people can still take note of their neighbours affairs and enjoy the varied prospects of busy streets and boundless ocean. Closer acquaintance with this remote republic continually develops new lcause for wonder and admiration. Though comparatively unknown to the world. Uruguay is not only the most fla Ivored section of South America as re- gards climate, soil and geographical po- lsition, but it is already the most pros porous, and by reason of its natural ad |vantages. is destined to become the most important in point of commerce. Con- sulting a map, you will find the little, cone-shaped piece of earth named Uru- quay cut out apparently from the big Argentine Republic the dividing line being the La Plata and Parama rivers, while Brazil bounds it on the northeast land the Atlantic ocean washes it's southwest Though containing only about fifty-t three thousand geographical miles, 1t has sea and river coast of six hundred and twenty-six miles, with many natural harbors. No section of |the globe is more abundantly watered, there being thirty navigable rivers, 4 which receive as many as fifteen hun dred tributaries, forming a network of streams in all directions; not to men, tion numerous small lakes and creeks that swell to considerable size during the rainy season. Yet there is not a swampy spot in all Uruguay, nor an acre of soil where agriculture is retard- ed by excessive moisture.
 Within the last decade the population of Uruguay has doubled, as much from natural causes as from immigration, the birth rate averaging forty-five to the thousand and the death rate twen- ty-seven. It is enthusiastically claimed by resident foreigners that Uruguay is not only the healthiest place on the face of the earth, but that good living is cheaper here than anywhere else. For example: The best of beef, mutt ton and pork can be bought for four cents the pound; fish are three to five cents each in the markets; ducks, chickens and cartridges from ten to fif- teen cents per bird, and vegetables of all kinds correspondingly cheap. With a population approximating five hun- dred thousand every year, or an aver age of ten bushels to each man, woman and child in the country. The largest export is wool. valued at something over six million dollars year. Beef comes next on the list in quantity, val ued at about the same figure; and hides third, not less than $3,500,00O being shipped every year. Then comes wheat about three million dollars, corn one million dollars; and other agricultural products foot up to nearly two million dollars more All these have more than doubled during the last ten years, and continue to increase like compound interest The old placer washings, from which the Jesuits and the Viceroys of pain used to get such fabulous quanti- ties of gold and silver, were all long since exhausted, or their localities have been obliterated and forgotten.
 During hundred years of almost continuous warfare, including the long struggle for independence and eighty subsequent revolutions the people were mercilessly robbed of their wealth, and many poor wretches who were suspect ed of knowing where gold and silver might be obtained, were persecuted un- til they reveaed the secret, or died to conceal 1t: and so such pains were taken to hide all traces of natures store-houses that in many cases, after the lapse of few years, the descend ants of the original owners could not find them. However, within the last quarter-century new mineral deposits of extraordinary richness have been discovered. and the report of a recent 1 geological commission, appointed by, l the government to examine these re-