The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-21
THE 0RINOgo AND BEYOND.
Comments on tn, suggested waterway
Route for south american Commerce.

To THE EDIroR ~ THR SUN Sir: The
communication Of Nr. Marion Wilcox IN
to-day's SUN in reged 10 the development
of American commerns in South America, oy
means of an inland r'ute from the mouth
of the Orinoco throun to the River Plate
and Buenos Ayres, is WY interesting me
electric launch for his preliminary eNplora-
tions is a delightful fanhsy. and the history
of its misadventures and abandonment would
be entertaining reading should survivor
be left to write II.
But a careful reading o the contribution
fails to show that Mr.. Wick has more than
most superficial knowledgeof school geog-
raphy. trade conditions ortropcal eNplora-
ton. He recognizes, and tightly that there
is great field for our commercial develop
ment in South America AZ yet We hardly
appreciate its possibilities. We are Keeping
our ewes foolishly bent on The East while
Continental countries are gRuering inc com-
mcrcial rewards that would b. ours with the
alightest intelligent exploitation IN the re-
pubics Of South America t.Fn a. " ~ 70
day We act the standard for Mining machinery,
sewing machines. cutlery. ,typtwriters. hre-
arms and ammunition. and European manu-
facturers initiate our pa ferns Nhd iaoel1 az W.
order to get the trade in thos' lines: but
even the Indians know ana relst me linia-
ton whenever they have the prize to pay Tor
Tho orr ginal and better.
These tens are perhaps an hconsdera-
bic part Of trade but what has ben done IN
these lines may be done in others !lhey nave
opment Of inland waterways 70 utolh tnls
-esIilt The great interior of South. America,
with its -ich stores of rubber. gum hioes'
woods ana drugs. that as Mr.. WihoN con,
tends Is the chief market. Is alreadysnpphed
with the most wonderful system OF waterway
access IN the world. Ocean steamets to sSa,
can and do steam UP among the eastrn 1901
hills OF the Andes IN Peru one tr9sshlp-
iuent at Manaos or Para TO yer boa opens
UP all Of the tributaries OF the AmHon IN
Brazil except the great upper teaohesot the
Rio Madeira above the falls OF the MADEIRA
The Argentine Republic Is comparatively
limited in its " lterways mn glance AT
railroad map OF that republic will smw a
network of railroads and their spurs 10 the
distribution OF commerce Inc yasI tIlp
of country west OF the Andes could not los-
sibly benefit By MIR. WilcoXs scheme: Slile,
Bolivia. Peru and Ecuador are on the run
less belt and must Of necessity depend or ne
railroads His argument that the heightOt
the Trans AndeHn railroad, 10, 500 rect. - IN
impossible bar TO It's practical utiily y AZ
Carrtl del Sur del Peru. both in Peru. AMI
both running at a height Of over 1900 rect
As the suggestion for inland nayigaton
made seriously. the practical details ana dii'
hculties that are 40 lightly touched upon
mi ght be interesting. The Cassiquare ~ the
small river that IL the eonneeting llns between
filled with long. shallow rapids ana Is uarmy
considered navigablc even Tor canoes AZ
rapids in the Rio Negro ] do not know bu'
Inc falls OF the Madeira over which have
been and which would of necessity be par
Of his scheme are a fair criterion. these iall'
.
nineteen in some two hundred miles. ana WIZ
scarcely an exception II is necessary to portag'
at any season OF the year. They roar throngI
rocky gorRes that they have worn for them
selves In the ages. and the difference IN th'
depth between the rainy and dry season p
from thirty to sixty feet wondeTinlll
ingenious problem for canal engineer bu
If IL could be met II would open up country
nearly as large as the states cast OF the Mlssis
sippi that to-day is to all intents unknown
and uueXplored
Commercial development Of south America u
not coming hv any schemes of sucn iransportH
ton and aggression As Nj Wilcox outlines
The republics Of South America have Tough
a. hard for their liberty as We have tough
for ours. they are patriotic As We are patriotic
and they have many bic men who desire the
welfare Of their country as We desire M
welfare OF ours and who are more keenl,
alive than we are 10 the natural geographical
advantages aud commercial opportunities
bet Neen MS But they also keenly resent th'
attitude OF patrOni2ing contempt that rs :,
well illustrated in Mr. NlcoN's paragraph
on VeneZueans as miScreants.
We are binding ourselves with the glitter
OF trade in the Orient whose scant oppor
tunities are obtained by force and held b'
giin-made treaties. In the southern Continen
we have our natural commercial allies WHIT
are ours for but III" ehori,
CHARLES JOHNSON Posi-.
NEW YORK Feb n.