The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-07
ONE or OUR LITTLE NEIGBBORs

wv OF VI q LII TN y EAuh hOHo
WASHINGTON, April 6.-If Guatemala
really had a revolution every time that news
dispatches report such an occurrence as
pending she would lead the procession Of
turbulent LAtir-AmeriCan republics She
has had fair share Of such experiences
and rather more than her share Of earth
quakes. but she emerges from such Dis
asters turning hopeful face TO the future.
Perhaps more than any other Of our little
neighbors this bunch Of IS, 900 square miles
OF Central American territory, occupied by
little more than 1 600 900 people, is now
looking to the United States for closer COM
mercial ties. Speaking for his chief the
Guatemalan Minister in Washington eX-
presses the hope that the American people
will turn their attention TO his country and
take under consideration the abundant
opportunities there offered for merchants,
manufacturers and capitalists. He hopes
that, without loss Of time, there may come
an expansion OF commercial intercourse,
in anticipation Of European Ell orts, 30 that
when the Northern Railroad OF Guatemala
opens its connection between the Gulf coast
and Guatemala city the United States will
secure the benefit OF the commercial eI-
pansion which il sure 10 follow that event"
In any consideration Of a Latin-Amerioan
republic the first question which presents
itself to the man OF to-day relates 10 fiscal
conditions With peace and an oppor-
tunity to trade Guate mala's condition is
excellent. Her total funded and floating
debt in 1908 is given as a little more than
N2 900 900. The revenues and expenditures
Of the country are not susceptible Of exact
statement because Of her fuctuatlng and
deprecated paper currency, issued by local
banks. In July, 1908. the relation Of peso
in currency to an American gold dollar was
"a 10 /. In December, 1901, II was II 10 !.
The Bureau Of Statistics in Washington
gives the revenues for 1907 as q, O4e. 900, In
gold Hazelrs Annual for 1905 gives the
revenues Of 1908 rs 81 ,1oO,O 600 Probably
neither is correct.
Interest on the funded external debt OF
approximately 8. 5OO, 900 Is in default On
Dec /, 1904, the European holders Of this
debt passed a vigorous resolution Of con-
domination Of the GustemalAn Government
for its failure to meet It's obligations In
view Of the anticipation Of large increase in
commerce as a result Of extended trans
portahon facilities, President Cabrera, who
has now held his Office for seven years, can
best show his wisdom and best serve his
country by setting his financial house in
order This might be done by following the
example recently set by his northern neigh
Dor, Mexico Until It Is done both trade
and capital for investment will be hesitant
70 turn In the direction Of Guatemala.
In his message TO the National Assembly
on March /, 1905, President Cabrera reported
an encouraging condition In Guatemalan
commerce. He gave the exports for 1904
as $751;. s6S. in gold, and imports as SIS
OIl ,l42. The gross exports from 1895 to 1904
he gave a. ISL ,ls7, Ss7, in gold, and gross inn
ports SIS ,O24, o0s. This lie certainly favor
able commercial showing. American trade
with Guatemala for the last three fiscal
years stands thus:
Import EIpOHs
1907 ....,'',.',,',.,''...... RAeS HSo t'NWSSv
1895. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 2NooOS llFa'O49
1904. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 7,0es6b l.2tlSe1
Trade Is carried on chiefly through COM
mission houses, on long credit given by
Germany and short credit by Americans.
Interest at Q per cent is usually added to
these accounts.
Guatemala now has about 400 miles Of
railway. The completion in about another
year Of the Northern Railway Of Guate-
mala, an American enterprise, will open a
line from Puerto BarTios, on the Caribbean,
10 San jose on the Pacific, and should do
much to stimulate American trade with the
country Regarding this line Consul-Gen-
eral Winslow says in a report dated Jan. IS:
When this road Is ready for business the United
states should have the bulk OF the trade with this
republic. We win then be within six days OF Chicago
and seven days OF New York. and the freight rates
should be about one half what they are now. The
manufacturers and exporters OF the United Statet
should AoquAint themselves with the needs OF this
market 90 to thoroughly cover II when the open
ing comes,
The industrial resources Of the country
are measurclees. Its forests contain valu-
able woods and its mining possibilities are
great Agriculture and cattle raising are
now its chief industries. Its coffee IL Of a
superior quality, and sugar, bananas, to-
baoco, corn and cocoa are among Its lead
ing products. onsul-3enerA Winslow
reports the mineral deposits a. very rich
and covering a wide range Of territory
Little work is now done on any Of the prop
orties, from lack Of capital and scarcity Of
labor. But Guatemala points to q time in
her history when 40 rich mines were the
source Of gold, silver lead and copper
Mica beds are extensive and ACCESSIBLE.
Guatemala is a land Of commercial and
industrial opportunities, and Its eastern
doorway, Puerto Barrios, is within three
DAYS sail from New Orleans. Between It and
the capital city lie 400 miles OF rich country
The special need 10 make this region
properly available for American enter
prise is a sound basis for the national
finances. That matter is to play q prpmi-
nent part in the proceedings Of the present
session OF the National Assembly
President Cabrera has rare opportunity
within his grasp. The British ConSul-Gen-
eral at Guatemala, under date Of March
10, says OF him:
HIS administration has been Characterized by
his ability and enerGy In keeping perfect peace In
the country and BY his lAbors 10 the propagation Of
public instructlon, more than 1.5Oo primary schools
having been established during his slE yeaS Of
once.
II during his present term be establishes
his country on a sound financial basis
President Cabrera can make his country
and himself notable in the history OF Latin