The Washington herald., 1908-06-07


The following article on the indus
tries OF Ecuador and Venezuela was pre-
pared under the supervision OF John Bar
rett, director of the Bureau OF American
Republics. from data in the library OF
that institution:
Ecuador must be given great credit for
an interesting and truly remarkable
achievement This is the completion of
the Guayaqur and Quito Railroad, which,
on January 1, 1905, was within twenty
two and one-half miles OF the capital city
OF the republic, Quito. and on that date
was carrying passengers go miles into
the mountains. Quito lies 175 miles In
straight line (2S9 by the railway from
the Pacific Ocean. but is $3.50 feet from
sea level. The slight gap stin remaining
will be closed before the end OF this year,
and thus one more OF the ties to draw a
spanish-American population closer TO
ourselves viii be completed.
Neither Quito nor Guayaquil is laggard
in the progress OF the twentieth century
The former city is well lighted by cleo
tricity has -four mills, wooden mills,
sugar rehneries. and many other factors
Of industrial life. There are $1,000 in
habitants.
Chief Port on the Pacific.
Guayaquil. the chief port on the Pacific.
has about the same number OF inhab-
itants. This city lies only $50 miles from
Panama. an easy three days sail from
the Isthmus. The evil reputation Of
Guayaquil as a tropical nest for febrile
diseases is rapidly being destroyed The
national government and the municipality
together have planned an extensive sys-
tenn or sanitary improvements so that
within few months the process Of clean
ing up Will be well on the way A system
OF scientific sewerage and water supply
Is 20 be installed, and bids for the work
are asked from all sanitary engineers.
which includes. Of course. those in the
United States
GuayaQuil has electric lights in the
main streets. the wharves. docks and
principal buildings and suburbs. and an
electric tramway is being pushed with
vigor. II is proposed to generate power
from the streams at the foot OF the
CordillerRF, only nifty 10 sixty miles away
from which an inexhaustible supply can
be obtained.
What Ecuador Produces.
Ecuador produces. among other crops.
cocoa. and IS one OF the greatest OF the
worlds sources Of supply. The United
States imports over 100000 worth each
year. and would take more IL Ecuador
had it to sell. but the fertile cocoa area
must wait until more abundant labor can
bring greater crops into bearing.
Vegetable ivory is the second article in
volume and value, about Sl,5OO.OOO worth
being exported chiefly to Europe, how
ever, where II is used in the manufacture
OF buttons. What we know most about
in this country as coming from Ecuador
is the straw hat the Panama hat Of
commerce. although II lost its real name
years ago. All our genuine Panamas
come from Ecuador, Just as our good
Java coffee comes from Brazil. Ecuador
has also immense rubber forests. mines
OF precious minerals and valleys between
the mountain peaks. where all the prod
ucts of the temperate zone can be as
comfortably grown as in Virginia. The
republic is twice as big as Illinois. and.
when called upon to do so. can support
as many people.
To commemorate the rising for indie
pendence in South America. Ecuador VIII
open an exposition in Quito on August 10.
1909. The date is by many considered the
first open expression OF revolt against
Spain. which was followed so soon after
ward by the widespread rebellion OF
Bolivar. The Ecuadoran people are just-
ly proud OF their early participation in
this struggle, and intend to make this
exposition a suitable celebration. Its OBJ
Ject Is 10 provide an exhibition Of the
products. commerce. industry. arts. and
finance Of Ecuador. Forests and forestry
vii be specially illustrated; the silk, cat
tie and mining sections will be OF great
interest.
Exhibitors from many foreign countries
are eagerly looking ahead 20 this oppor-
tunity, both 20 study the country's ma
tive riches and 70 learn what markets
are open to them.
Venezuela Home of Bolivar.
Venezuela was the home of Bolivar. the
liberatOr Of South America. We should
never forget that. or cease TO admire his
beautiful statue in the city OF Caracas;
nor should we let our gratitude grow dim
for the love and generation they show 20
our national hero in their own Washing
ton Park
Venezuela does a relatively large for
eign trade. Daring 1866 II amounted
10 $25,OOO,OO0. The greatest portion of ex-
ports were coffee, cocoa, cattle, hides and
skins. and gold. OF her $4,000 OF I'M
ports, the United States furnished only
1922 per cent. while Of her exports, over
an amount above S15,OOO,OOO. the United
States took 31.2 per cent Thus II is seen
that the United States Is not fortunate or
energetic in exporting to the markets of
Venezuela. The chief articles were ce-
reals and kerosene; OF the immense de-
mand for cotton. Germany contributed
$4,000 England $4,000. and the United
States ranked only with Italy and the
Netherlands. The Dutch seem 10 have
found an encouraging market here. for
the Dutch flag predominated in the har-
Dor Of La Gualra during 1906. 20 vessels
Of that nation having touched there.
Venezuela Is rich in natural resources.
and the soil is very fertile and productive.
Besides the coffee. which is famous. and
cocoa, gold and pearls are exported.
Asphalt, coal. and petroleum are album
dant, and the advent OF permanent peace
will make the country one OF the richest
north OF the equator
Wright Place brings GIO.S04