The Washington herald., 1906-11-10
COLOMBIA HIS THEME
Minister Barrett Addresses
Geographical Society.
VALUE OF MR.. ROOTS TRIP
south American Capitals, Speaker
Declares, Are Centers of Culture
Describes Physical Greatness Of
Colombia - Dealings should he
Marked by Wise Statesmanship.

A good word for South America was
spoken by John Barrett, Minister TO Co
Iombia. at the Rifles Armory Hall last
night. 1t was spoken cordially and APP
parently from great admiration for the
Latin-American nations The address
was made to the National Geographical
Society and its friends who filed the
hall to its capacity.
Minister Barrett preiacsd lis talk on
Colombia: \ Land OF Great P0ssibiii-
ties. by a general deserip.ka OF South
America aided by "a huge A.sap thrown
on screen He described briefly the
principal countries of South America. and
showed the audience particularly the
cities visited by Secretary Root on his
recent tour. spoke of the means Of COM
munication, and the general relation
which the States OF South America bear
10 one another.
Tells of welcome to Root.
The lecturer then referred 10 the trip
Of Mr. Root, and gave some facts about
the reception given him in the capit2.S
of Spanish America, which were rev To
his audience. Mr.. Barrett declared that no
crowned head was ever given such genu-
inely sincere welcome 10 the cities OF south
America as was Mr.. Root, the represent
ative Of the President and the American
people. Nr. Barrett said this was due
primarily to the tremendous respect
which Latin America has for this coun-
try, and that it was intended as spon-
taneoUs proof of the friendship felt there
for the United States
Then. he said, the welcome was IN part
u tribute to the man himself, who is
regarded In South America as a great
statesman, great lawyer, and a great
scholar. In these particulars, Minister
Barrett declared. the Latin Americans
excel He said that in one of the capitals
Of the Southern hemisphere there IS a
greater percentage OF educated and cui-
tured persons than can be found in q city
of similar size in the Northern hemis-
phere. lie said the young men and
women Of the well-to-do families there
are all well educated in the native
schools, and sometimes in the European
schools and universities. The result is
that the majority OF the persons met by
IN American official in South America
speak the native Spanish, or Portuguese,
and French. conversing fluently in both
tongues. Mr.. Barrett declared that the
capitals OF South America are all centers
of great learning, art. and literature,
comparing favorably with similar cities
IN North America and Europe.
AIr Barrett spoke Of the necessity OF
wise craftsmanship IN dealing with the
I.atln-AmeTican states within the next
few years He said they are now AT ii
point IL their DEVELOPMENT where they
feel their power. and the need of friend
snip with them and a thorough under
standing as to the future Of the Ameri-
can States Is one Of the great diplomatic
problems confronting this country. where
mistakes viii prove costly ia the future
relations with these countries.
Possibilities OF Colombia.
! large part OF Minister Barretts aG-
dress was devoted TO an explanation in
detail OF Colombia. its resources and pos
sibilities as an industrial and trading
State Mr. Barrett showed that though
the country is situated near the equator,
the arrangement of mountain systems is
such that the climate of 4; considerable
part Of the country is much like that Of
Massachusetts in October. The ranges OF
temperature on the plateau on which Bo-
ssota is situated are ~ and . degrees
Fahrenheit. The hot lands Of the coast
produce a great variety Of tropical fruits,
woods, and materials. The mountain re-
gions produce the grains and fruits OF tho
temperate zones, while the great plains Of
the southeastern part OF the State are.
like Brazil, the natural abode &C the rub
ber tree, and are fUl OF rich pastures. on
which herds TO feed the world could roam
at large.
The mineral resources Of the State We're
described, and il was shown that ColOm-
hia has vast sources of wealth stored
away IN its mountains and hills awaiting
development Minister Barrett ventured
the prediction that more sold would yet
be Unearthcd in Colombia than ever saw
The light in South Africa that it would
produce more coal than the whole Appa-
jachian system, and that its iron, plstl-
mum, quicksilver, and copper products
would within a few years astonish the
world By its richness and extent.
Minister Barrett closed his address by
showing a series of views uUon the screen
of scenes in Bogota, and along the noun
tain trails leading from the coast to the
capital