Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-13

40 miles from Guatemala and seventy-five
miles from San Geronimo. the junction with
the Tehuantepec line. and contract 10
complete the track to the boundary before
the end OF the year 1907 has recently been
let to 3. T. Davis a well-known railway
builder OF the City of Mexico. Mr.. Davis Is
now working at both ends making grade,
and win lay rails af Santa Benito a port on
the Pacific near the Guatemala boundary.
as soon as q cargo can reach that place
The ship Is now on the way santa benfto
II only an open roadstead, and cargoes have
to be landed lightered to the beach. but X
Is likely to become place of Importance on
account OF the railroad and because II -
the seuthernmost seaport OF Mexico.
Extension Of the Road.
Mr.. Neeland is now on his way to Guate-
mala city. where he has been onsred a con-
cession with a subsidy Of $4,000 gold per
mile to extend the Pan-American railroad
through that republic to the boundary OF
Salvador A survey has been made and
connection Is planned with the Huntington
system of railroads at the town OF Es-
quintla Mr.. Neeland has arranged for
funds and will commence work at once.
He also has offers OF subsidies from both
Salvador and Honduras on similar basis,
and hopes to close the contracts this trip.
The situation In Honduras Is quite com
plicatei because the government OF that
country is absolutely bankrupt and the
owners Of its bonds in England will not
permit II to make concessions to ANYBODY
for any purpose that involves the public
funds, but Mr.. Neland Is confident that an
ARRANGEMENT may be negotiated with the
bondholders' association so as to prevent
its intervention. He proposes TO continue
the Pan-American railroad through Nlcar-
aqua and Costa Rica to the lsthmus OF
Panama, and hopes to utilize several snort
pieces Of existing road as parts OF ths
system. He has been onered plenty oI
backing to carry the scheme through ooth
In the United States and In Holland
May Become Government Road.
The Mexican government regards the
pan-Amertcan road of supreme Importance
from a military standpoint as well as an
aid to the development Of Chiapas. one OF
It's richest states, which Is now practicahy
inaccessible And 1t is the prevailing opih-
lon among railroad men at the City OF
Mexico that the government will ultimately
acquire the property as 1t has acquired
through line from the Rio Grande to the
Isthmus of Tehuantepec. 1t Is not conslu-
cred likely that President Diaz Will ieaVe
the last link In the system under the con-
troll of foreigners, particularly in view OF
its influence in the politics and the com
merce Of Guatemala. The government now
owns the national and international raj All
roads, the shortest lines from the Rio
Grande to the City of Mexico; the Inter
oceanic from the capital to Vera Cruz: the
Vera Cruz and Pacific and the Tehuante-
nee railroads which form continuous
line through the entire length OF the re-
public with the exception OF the ran
American.
President Diaz has offered Mr.. Neeland
a concession with a subsidy of $4,000 a
kilometer to extend the Pan-American road
northward from Tonala to the port OF
Campeoh in Yucatan, q distance OF about
600 miles. which will open up very pro-
ductiye coffee and fiber country and also
serve an important military purpose.
Sir William Van Horn has recently &C
uuired control of the Guatemala Northern
railroad, which extends from the capital
of that republic to Puerta Barrios on the
Gulf of Mexico. There is a gap of forty
five miles to be built, which will be COM
pleted during the present year
Already Paying Expenses.
It is quite remarkable that the Pan-Amer-
lean railroad should already be paying ex-
penses Last year after meeting So1, f5O In
terest and all the operating expenses there
was a surplus of 81, 710.47-not large, but a
great deal better than nothing. Trains are
now running every other day. but daily
schedule will be fnaugurated soon. The
passenger traffic has been large ever since
the trains began to run. The poems are fas-
cinated with travel, and make trip as
often as they can raise the money to buy
a ticket They enjoy il as much as a bull
! fight, and the excursion trains which are