The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-26

operation; the existing condition Of their
commerce and the prospects OF business
for an intercontinental railway line Mr.
pepper made his first report in March OF
last year and Is about to make second
report
The plan has for its object the encoura ge-
ment of railway building in the several
reptblcs Of Central and South America,
the construction to be carried on with due
regard T. the intercoutinental scheme. IL
is hoped that the building Of one line wall
encourage at least one other line, 50 that
In tho course of time the several railways,
being constructed 40 far as possible with
reference 10 the general plan. will form
means Of travelling or shipping freight
continuously from ono continent TO the
other. =,
Railway building has undergone rapid
development in some Of the Central and
South American countries within the last
two or three years, and especially within
the last year In a memorandum SUB
uitted recently by Commissioner Pepper
IN Chairman DAVIS Of the Permanent Pan
American Railway Committee a COCO
report Of progress is made.
Regarding actual work OF railway con-
str1lction in filing in links OF the inter-
continental location said M Pepper
sthe news received is most gratifying
This statement is justified by the follow
Ing facts: The Pan-American line from the
T-ihmus Of Tehuantepeo to the border 81
Guatemala is going on in accordance with
the terms Of a concession granted by the
Mexican Government. 4 time limit was
set. and the prospect is that the Work VIII
be carried through according to schedule
From san Geronimo 1875 miles OF road
has been built TO Puerto Arista. and the
whole link TO Tonala is about completed
Tho surveys have been made for the sec
ton from Tonala toward the Guatemala
frontier. and work on IT is progressing.
The countries directly Interested in the
pan-American railway project, besides the
United States. are Mexico. Guatemala,
Nicaragua. Costa Rca Panama, Bolivia,
Peru. Ecuador Colombia Argentina, Brazil
md Chile. In several OF these countries
railway construction is being carried on by
American and European capitalists. under
concessions granted by the Governments
concerned. and the latest official reports
ara that capitalists in Europe are more
confident than over "a to the success OF
railway projects in the Central and South
American countries.
In his report 10 Mr. Davis Mr.. Pepper
remarks that Government bonds, deben-
lures and other forms Of obligations for the
guarantee Of railway construction have
fcen advancing steadily and the feeling
seems 10 be that this field Of investment IS
one which should be cultivated.
The following il a summary Of the current
work Of railway construction in the several
Countries south Of Mexico: In Guatemala
tie links in what are known as the inter
oceanic line from San jose on the Pacific
- Puerto Barrios on the Atlantic will he
finished within the next year and bali.
r. is probable that as soon as the Mexican
Railway reaches the frontier of Guatemala
the thirty miles necessary to I'll in the gap
will have been completed.
Government surveys for railways have
cen going on in Nicaragua and the report
g. that sufficient capital has been guaranteed
for tho work OF construction. The roads
which il ia proposed to extend are on the
q irect line Of the proposed great inter-
continental railway and this is especially
gratifying to the projecto Of the main
echeme.
h : az present uncertain just what route
some talked Of railway construction will
trayerss In Costa Rica. but it is hoped that
since American capitalists have recently
taken over the enterprises from English
men, the work will be done in practical
sympathy and cooperation with the Pan
American plan.
In South America good deal Of railway
building is being carried on by the Argen-
tine Republic The main north and south
line has been extended northward about
fifty miles within the last year or two. and
II ia expected that this will encourage the
Bolivians 20 extend their line southwark 10
meet \. In fact it is stated in Bolivia that
tho 100000 received by that country
from Brazil as indemnity for the Acre
territory ia to be devoted solely TO railway
construction.
Engineers employed by American bankers
interested in railway building in South