Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-10
BY MINISTER BARRETT
LECTURE ON SOUTH AMERICA,
ESPECIALLY COLOMBIA
Material Development is Under Way
Reception Of Secretary Root
Abundance Of Coal.

South American countries, especially Co
lombia, were lauded by John Barrett,
United States minister to Colombia. during
an address at National Rifles Hall last
evening His theme was Colombia: A
Land Of Possibilities" and he had as an
audience members of the National Geo.
graphic Society and their friends. Nearly
one thousand persons were present
Mr.. Barrett stated that material develops
ment is under way in the various South
American countries. He predicted that
the industry now being displayed will soon
be felt and recognized by all the world, and
that the present attitude of the United
States toward the South American people,
which is of a patronizing nature, will
change to one of friendlier and Coop
eratfve type.
The lecture embraced a general descrip-
ton Of South America, large map, upon a
screen. being used. The principal cities and
seaports were mentioned and the route
taken by Secretary Root on his recent visit
made clear.
Owing to Mr.. Roots modesty the people
OF the United States have not received half
an idea of the really royal honors which
were accorded him. the lecturer said.
Homage for Secretary Root.
Mr.. Barrett declared that had Mr.. Root
been the President of the United States or
prince or noted foreign potentate greater
homage could not have been paid him. 1t
was added that in one city where Mr. Root
and his family were staying additional
street lights were erected in front of his
temporary home, and the line of the trolley
road was extended in front of his house in
order that he would not have to walk three
or four blocks In case he wanted to ride on
the cars.
Regarding the inhabitants of the South
oi<f
greater percentage are well educated and
refined, large number of them having
attended European universities, ana that
the larger cities are the centers of great
learning. literature and art, equal to any
American or European city
Although not the largest South Amer
lean country Mr.. Barrett explained, Co
lombia is one of the most important and
richest One of it's peculiarities is that its
shores border on both the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans, and that it is the nearest
country In South America to the United
States according to its topography. This
country is naturally resourceful, and the
inhabitants are energetic and Industrious
1t is field which should appeal directly
to the United States: The agricultural dis
tricts are wonderfully fertile and produc-
tive. Timber Is plentiful: there is no end
of copper, from which the government is
at the present time receiving more than a
and silver mines equal to any in the
world, South A Ca included, and one of
the richest emerald mines is located in the
center Of Colombia.
Abundance Of Coal.
Goal Is particularly abundant" Mr. Bar
rett continued. eff all the coal mines in
the United States should shut down tomor-
row there would be enough coal in this
country to supply the demand. Corn, wheat,
coffee, oranges and sugar are grown to
large extent. and it will produce an amount
OF iron, platinum, quicksilver and copper
within a few years which will astonish the
world"
To illustrate the size of Colombia. Mr..
Barrett said. that 1t is larger than Ger
many, Belgium and Holland combined. and
that it comprises more territory than all Of
the states of the United States east of the
Ohio river. with Indiana athrown in. He
pointed out that Colombia has more than
1900 miles Of seacoast, upon which are at.
presented located several creditable ports.
However. he is Of the opinion that the land
the coast land
There is a plateau in the center Of Co.
1ombia," Mr.. Barrett remarked, (which, to
my mind, is the most beautiful and agree
to know"
The lecturer concluded by saving the
United States will be benefited by bringing
its relations closer with the Latin Amer
exports
from South America to the United States
last year amounted to $1,000 600 and the
imports amounted to 100000. The i'm
ports to South America from Europe, he
stated, amounted to more than $13 900. 600
In and Around Bogota.
After his lecture Mr.. Barrett had about
fifty pictures of the South American cities
and countries thrown upon the screen, many
of the scenes being in and around Bogota.
the capitol of Colombia.
Prof. Willis L. Moore, chief of the United
States weather bureau and president of the
Geographic Society, introduced Mr. Bar
rett. speaking of him as brilliant dipIo-
mat. keen observer and an incisive
thinker.
The next lecture of the series planned
will be delivered Friday, November 16. by
DIR. Willis Fletcher Johnson, editor of the
New York Tribune. His subject will be
Digging the Ditch" a description Of the
republic of Panama, and an account Of the
cutting of the Panama canal.
In connection with the lecture course the
National Geographic Society has arranged
a series Of scientific meetings, the first of
which will be held this evening at 8 O. clock
in. Hubbard Memorial Hall, 18th and M
streets The subject will be "Prosperous
Porto Rico and the speaker, William r
Willoughby, treasurer of Porto Rico.