Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1908-02-14
Entered at the ElKo postonce for ransmissio
through the mails as sccond-clnss matter.
STRAITS OF MAGELLAN.

LII view Of the popular interest III the
progress ~ the American batileship
flee, around South America and Its
presence nj Punta Az mus IN the Straits
Of Magellan, about which very little If
generally known in the United Stntes,
the Director nf The 1nternational Bureau
ni American Republics, John Barrett,
who has visited I. Ia portion OF Sonth
America while United States minis
ter to Argentina, has prepared the fol
lowing statement:
1Punta Arenas, where the American
battleship feet il now making lis third
stop in its cruise around South America,
Is both a unique anu important port. 1t
is the eouthermost city in tie world.
Although located in a section which up
on old maps appeared to De Il part Of
Patagonia and close to Terra lei Fuegn,
the supposed home Of Wild men and
cannibals. 1t ID II growing, progressive
and u~p-to-datc town with a population
Of IL, 900. II has wide streets, some Of
which are well paved, several imposing
public buildings, a number Of fine resi-
dences, IN opera house, clubs, n good
system Of electric Lighting and other
modern characteristics.
~Punta ,rcnaB hrs the distinction OF
being the capital OF the Chilean territory
OF Magellianes. 1t Ii IL free port Of entry
for all vessels and 1t is moi All uncommon
sight to see u score or more ~ merchant
steamers and chips at anchor in its
harbor II is IN important coalmg port
Tor all boats passing from the y iantic
to the Pacific. 1t has nm increasing ca
port trade in wool, hides and tallOw.
10 1905 these products to the value OF
$4,000 900 we're exported. In the same
year over 1900 carcasses, OF frozen meat
were shipped to England. The country
OF chill and Argentina III the vicinity of
Pnnta Areuas, its commercial entrrpori,
has had a development in sheep and
cattle raising not unlike that OF the
western section OF the United States.
Where a few years ago the maps repre-
sented the territory AZ being wild and
UNEMPLOYED, there arc now great sheep
and cattle ranges owned by B~rtisbers
Ii Germans. Tho pasturnge to the
northeast Of Punta Arenas is remark
ably fine, and, because Of the cool eli
mate, the neighborhood seems best
adapted 10 the production OF heavy wool.
Great companies have been started to
develop the grazing facilities and some
are yielding II yearly profit OF $40 per
cent. Others bave been purely speculn-
tive and have brought disaster to those
investing in them. In the 100 miles
reach OF country from Punia Arenas to
the Argentine frontier there are prob
ably about 10000 00 sheep and 10000
bend OF cattle.
"The Straits Of Magellan reach
practically 3l5 miles from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, divided into two pnrts
with the eastern somewhat longer than
the western. At Cape For ward the
dividing point, u turn Mt almost right
angles 10 made. The widest portion is
nearly thirty miles, while the narruwest
ID barely II mile. Since the BOUNDARY
settlement between Chile and Argentina
OF 1881 the Straits Of Magellan have be-
longed to the former country, but the
waterway is o be fortified and is nj
ways to be open to international naviga
ton.
"The climate ia cool and bsgrtnp and
1t If The only place in South America
where skat'ng aud sleighiug can be GU
gagged III for u considerable portion of
the Winter. Our iiact, however, will
be there nj the END Of The summer inns.
much M the seasons sou h Of the enua
tor are jnst he rcvcrse II those to the
north. In othsr words Autumn il lust
starting in PdniA Arenps: While stop
ping the q American Gail - will Inv, 4
chance 10 breathe btac M mir fun of
ozone, and not only reclperato iron,
the long trip down through the lrOpic.
but prepare themselves for the cuu,II,
long journey north across the clu ltur
before they reach California;