The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-02

granted three railroad concessions.
The first Is to an English syndicate In
which Americans are interested. IL Is for
400 miles Of railroad from Puerto Witches
on the Magdalena River, which can be
reached in forty-eight hours by steamboat
from the ocean, TO Bogota. The second
Is TO Americans, and is for 400 miles Of rail-
road from Bogota to the Pacific.
"The third concession is also to Americans.
II is for the completion Of the railroad from
the Pacific port Of Buenaventura into the
Cauca valley, where it will open up very
large beds Of first class steam coal which
can be delivered at tidewater at a low price
per ton. Coal on the Pacific coast Of
South America is now worth about t25 a
ton.
THE Government il also contracting 70
build a short road from point on the upper
Magdalena 20 Bogota. This contract also
will probably be awarded TO Americans,
Finally, Reyes has called a constitutional
convention, which met In Bogota Wednes-
day, March IS, and will be in session for
thirty days. For the first time In Colombia's
history both parties will be represented.
The Liberals have about one-third Of
the convention, and 1t is composed Of the
foremost men Of the country. 1t is ex-
oected TO revise the Constitution in a sens-
le and thorough way. It Is greatly to be
ped that one Of the amendments will per-
the reelection Of the President. His
/ Mt term Of six years will expire on Aug.
T. o. II be can be reelected he will GER
10 y do for Colombia what PorfTio DiaH
l,aa done for Mexico.
The natural resources Of the country
are very much greater than those OF Mex
leo in agriculture, cattle and mining. While
no accurate statistics are available, good
judges believe that 1900 900 In gold is
being exported annually. The oonstruo-
ton Of the railroads already chartered
will open up large districts very rich In ore
to which il at present impossible to trans
port machinery. The mining laws Of Co
lombia, like those Of Mexico, are simple
and superior 10 those Of the United States.
life and property are as safe through
out the central parts Of Colombia as they
are in the Eastern United States. There
are still a number OF Indian tribes In the
Far Southeast, and among them are two
tribes Of cannibals."
Mr. Mason expressed warm admiration
Of President Reyes. He said:
1T Is fair TO say that the history Of all
/ Latin-America shows no ruler who can
| be compared with Reyes except Porfirio
| Diaz, and IL IL more than doubtful whether
| Dias did as much for Mexico In the first
/ eight months OF his administration as
Reyes has done for Colombia in the FIRST
eight months Of his.
HE is a man Of the world, literally
educated, who has spent much time in both
| Europe and the United States, He speaks
several languages including English.
| His family Of three daughters and three
sons Il a delightful one, and his home
life IL perfect
The president lives in the palace Of San
Carlos, which IL a one story house, with a
high basement II is simple in archi-
lecture and Ia whitewashed outside. In
side there ere two patios, and Il is furnlshed
In French style.
Mr.. Mason attended dance at the police
headquarters. The ballroom was drsped
in yellow satin, with crystal chandeliers.
The floor was well adapted for dancing
and the music was excellent.
Gen. Reyes has abolished the guard, az
he u very popular with the masses. The
luxury at Bogota IL surprising consider
ing that everything has 10 be carried there
on mems backs for four days and -four
nights on a mule trail. That heavy pier
glasses are fashionable may not be 20 re-
markable. but Il IL surprising 10 find num-
hers Of pianos in the Colombian capital