The Washington herald., 1908-06-21

The following article upon the indus
trial and commercial progress Of Colon
bia and Panama was prepared under the
supervision OF John Barrett. director Of
the Bureau of American Republics. from
data in the library Of that institution.
The republic of Colombia should be
called great advlsedly. The merchants,
manufacturers. exporters and capitalists
Of the United States ought to turn their
eyes TO Colombia. and all students Of in
ternational affairs whose duty it is to
keep informed on achievement and possi-
bilities beyond our own confines should
watch the progress OF Colombia.
VIII Follow Mexico'S Lead.
Colombia is certain TO experience a ma
terial development Ike that Of Mexico.
which has astonished the world and at
tracted the investment of S6O0.0OO.C0O in
gold Of United States money Colombia.
# is asserted by one who knows Latin
America from the Rio Grande TO Magel-
Ian Straits, in proportion TO area and
population. is the richest Of all in variety
and extent Of undeveloped resources and
opportunities.
Europe is already aroused TO the poten-
tialities there. Although the republic is
at our very doors. nearer TO the principal
ports Of the United States than any 9th
er South American country. excepting
Venezuela. we idly watch Europe develop
= her resources and control her commerce.
The least distance between Colombia
and the United States in $50 miles From
Cartegena 20 Tampa, Fla, is less by sea
than from New York 10 St. Louis by Sand.
From Cartegena 10 New Orleans is only
1.iC0 miles. q four-days easy sail. Coom-
bia is nearer than Panama to the major
fly Of Atlantic and Gulf ports Of the
United States. Colombia IS the only South
American country bordering on both the
Atlantic and the Pacific, it has. therefore,
immediate access 10 the markets of the
world by all the highways Of the sea.
This position Will be strengthened by the
completion OF the Panama Canal, and
the 500 miles Of coast on each ocean will
be immensely benefited by this contiguity
Colombia Has Large Aren.
Colombias area entities her to rank
among the larger countries of the world
II Is larger than Germany. Holland. and
Belgium combined; larger than Illinois.
Indiana, Michigan. Wisconsin. Mime
nessee. This area is 504 900 square miles
"A veritable empire The population Is
not more than 100000. while the country
is capable Of supporting 100000. The
people are Industrious not rebeiiious by
nature. since the presidency Of President
Reyes, who is a modern. progressive
patriot, they have been led into the ways
of peace, and II IS the prayer Of all
friends Of Colombia that he may be spar
ed 10 make this peace permanent and
thereby 10 bring a well merited prosperity
10 this beautiful land.
Has Variety of Climate.
Perhaps the chief marvel OF Colombia
IS her variety Of climate. Although all
Of the republic lies within the tropics, it
has sections as large as New England
where the climate IS as cool and refresh
ing the year round as that of Vermont
in May, and where al the products Of the
temperate zone grow even better than
they do in Maine and Minnesota.
II is altitude above the sea that de-
termines temperature. These vast plat
eaUS in the Andes are at such 4 height
that they possess an ideal climate, but
close to them are valleys between the
mountain peaks. and in them all the
products of the trOpiC zone grow in Law
ish profusion. Thus the best foods OF
both zones can be had easily for the
asking
Within a pleasant journey OF Bogota,
the capital Of the republic-a city of 12O,-
900 inEabitants-are TO be found coffee
cocoa. sugar. tobacco. indigo. bananas
vanilla, corn. rice. beans. yucca, oranges
lemons. pineapples, and alligator pears
in the forests are cedar. mahogany. veg
etable ivory. Peruvian bark, rubber trees
sarsaparilla. ipecaCuanha. and dye woods
Cotton Will grow readily IN the open
but so far il has been but little cult
waited. and wheat barley, and potatoes
can be cultivated in the plantations Of
moderate height. Fine beef on the hoo
can be raised in both hot and cold sec
tlons OF the country. and Colombia may
some day supply the New York market
with meat.
Rich I'm Agriculture.
Colombia is rich. not only in agricul
tural resources. but independently ais,
in minerals. There are inestimable area!
OF coal lands; gold is mined in many
states Of the republic; silver, copper. an,
platinum are abundant: petroleum ha
been found. and the baser metals, a
wen as many Of the building stones, ar
found in large deposits in many parts o
the country.
Iron and coal have been discovered an,
are now worked side by side. not far from
Bogota, so that the country will fnall.
be independent of imports OF such neces
stiles from abroad.
COlombia's foreign commerce in tn
last recorded year amounted TO abou
go. 6.0O0,O 600. Of which Sl4.OOOOOO were i'm
ports and Sl2O0O.0O0 were exports Tn
United States took "a per cent OF the ex
ports and supplied 3l.15 per cent Of TIL
imports.
Banana Company Formed.
At Santa Marta a banana company. al
together American. has been in success
ful operation for some time "a hurrican
recently played havoc with this region
and authentic reports have not yet beer
given as to the damage done or the step
taken 10 restore the loss).
Colombia has about 400 miles OF rail
way in operation. with about 300 mile
10 be contracted under concessions. TIL
city of Bogota is preparing to expen,
money on municipal improvements, an,
the national government is carefully plan
ming to facilitate commercial intercours
throughout the country by putting tn
highways in first-class condition.
1t is erroneous to suppose that a
American is not welcomed in Colombia
No III feeling toward the United State
exists. and any person conducting him
self as becomes a citizen Of our repuh
lie. is sure TO be cordially and hos
pitably received.
Panama the Size of Maine.
The Republic OF Panama. the younges
Of the international family. is about tn
size of the State of Maine-33OOO squar
miles. It has coast line on the Pa
otec - So miles and on fha Afiouti