The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-07-25
HALF THE VICTORY
Preparation In Peace as viii
as War.
INTERESTING CANAL FIGuRS
Latin Americans Not to be Caught Nap
ping for Uncle Sam viii Dig the
Big Ditch and Link the Pacific With
the Atlantic Ocean.

WASHINGTON, July 24.-Some in
teresting figures have been compiled
here based on the work being undertaken
by Southern American countries IN pre-
pairing their harbors and waterways
against the completion Of the Panama
Canal. Preparations is half the victory
in peace as well as in war, and the
Latin Americans are not TO be caught
mapping when the last shoveltul of dirt
is tossed out of the big ditch by Uncle
Same, and the waters of the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans are linked to advance
the commerce of the world
A notable instance OF foresight is
found in the action OF the Argentine
Republic in improving the harbor OF
Buenos Ayres. Thirty years ago no
large ships could come within 20 or 80
miles of that city and there were no
channels, wharves or docks. At an out
lay OF cool s5O,OO0,OOO the harbor now
is magnifcently equipped and on its
tide ride the ships OF every commerce
seeking nation of the world.
The Argentine Republic thus spent on
enc undertaking the amount the Ma
tional Rivers & Harbors Congress is
urging the rich United States to devote
annually and scatter over number OF
waterway improvement schemes. The
request will be brought prominently be-
fore the next Congress, and the Orga-
nization is working to increase its mem-
bership to include every solid shipping
and business interest in the country, 30
that its appeal may be representative
of every section and of all classes. Cap
tain ]. F. Ellison, it, SECRETARY and
treasurer, reports from Cincinnati taat
the membership is growing rapidly.
Another big city to the south OF the
United States is Rio Janeiro on the
harbor of which the government Of
Brazil is spending $3OOOO,OOO. A 1urther
expenditure of 2j.OOO,00O is to be made
for the improvement of the Amazon
River, and it. tributaries. This will
open up the interior of a rich country
and will mean more to Brazil than any
thing that the government ever has un-
dertaken.
Then there is Chile. Despite the re-
cent earthquake and the country's ur-
gent need for funds for the rehabilita-
ton of its cities, the government be-
Geyes the work of such vital import
ance to its prosperity that it has set
aside $l5O00,00O or Improvements to
the harbor of Valparaiso. Colombia, too
is preparing. A foreign loan is being
negotiated to improve the Magdalena
river. which flows nOrthward from
Ecuador 1t is proposed to make this
river nayigable for 100 mile, into the
interior.
There are number of other gigantic
Improvement schemes, all relating tt
waterways or harbOrs, under way ol
contemplated by other South American
republics. The figures on these last arr
not yet wholly available, but they ag
gregate many millions. For the mex
eight or ten years the South American
program of waterway development vii
be crowded.
This country also is awakening to tn
necessity for being ready to take ad
vantage Of the big trade that the open
ing of the Panama Canal will engendei
The work OF the National Rivers
Harbors Congress in arousing the Amer
lean people to this need is beginning t
bear fruit. 1t is highly probable tha
the Sixtieth Congress will pass river
and harbors appropriation bill at th
long session that will eclipse the recor'
one voted by the Fifty-ninth Congress
in its final days