The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1911-12-01

sized barkentine purchased by the Pan Amer
can Transcontinenta1 Railway company to help
out in carrying railroad ties and lumber. From
New Orleans, on June z, the Wimbledon steamed
away, carrying the largest consignment of lumber
which ever went out of that port. Over $4,000
ties and over $4,000 feet of yellow pine timber
made up her cargo.
All of these things are to help build the first
American railway in the River Plata region. In
quiry has developed that the enterprise is one
which is backed by business more than by bank
ing interests in the United States. The work
has been carried on quietly and steadily. The
surveys were completed and submitted to the
government July Is, 1910. The winter and early
spring were occupied in arranging for purchase
of material and equipment. Grading was begun
at Durazno on March g..
The first section of 80 miles was formally
opened to public service in September, 1911, and
the entire line will be completed within four
years
1t seems thus to be destined that Uruguay, of
all the South American republics. shall be first
intimately known to United States capital. And
est, 1t seems not unlikely that Uruguay in its
development may feel strongly the influence of
American ideas and customs and perhaps be
drawn into still closer national sympathy with
the people of the United States.
In the physical characteristics of the country
Uruguay bears a striking resemblance to parts
of the United States. The rolling prairies and
many streams of Illinois are there, as, too. Is the
r1cn. Qeep, DlaCk SOIL.
The peaches, grapes and pears of northern Ohio
find a natural home in the %southerly portions of
the country. and the sands OF Colonia remind one
of the sands Of Lake Erie.
If the history of the development of the middle
west be repeated south of the equator one can
see Uruguay we'll peopled and we'll plowed, a
prosperous country to live in and a fair one to
look upon.
In the plans of the railway company the de-
velopment of the port of Colonia plays an i'm
portant part. It is understood that here will be
established a center of distribution for imports
to the River Plata region. Storage warehouses
will make it possible for manufacturers to carry
at trifling expense large stocks upon which they
can call as needed for disAr.hntion in the Argen.
tine or Uruguay or to up-river districts.
The natural depth Of the water is such at
Colonia as to make this one of the finest OF har-
hove The largest ocean steamers will be able to
discharge their cargoes quickly and cheapiy.
Natural conditions, in fact, seem to have destined
this noint for one of the great shipping centers
Of the River Plata region.
This Pan American railway has large signif-
canoe for Uruguay, but it may mean even more
for the United States. II it serves. as now seems
unite possible, as the Introduction OF United
States capital to this great South American
region and familiarizes Unied States investors
with the sound and stable character OF railway
anternrise. as 1t has been and will be developed
on this port of the new world, 1t will have ac-
comDlished quite as much for the republic or the
north as for Uruguay. and more perhaps for the
General advancement of Pan Americanism than
for either.