Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-09-26
NATIONS PREPARE
FOR CANAL TRADE
i've South American Republics
Are Using '$225, 100000 for
Harbors and Railways.

Washington, Sept 2O.-Revised estimates
made public by the Panama canal COM
mission give October Is, 1918, as the date
on which the first vessel will pass from
sea to sea through the new waterway. BY
December l. 1914, the canal will be ready
Tor unrestricted use by commercial ves-
sells.
The formal opening, to be celebrated by
a naval pageant in which the war vessels
Of the world will join, will be January !,
1915
With the near approach Of the compile
lion of the great work, 1t has developed
that more money is being spent by for
eign nations in getting ready for the new
impetus to trade than Is being used In the
construction Of the canal itself.
Five republics alone in South America
ire expending s225. ooc 900 in the develop
nent of their railways. harbors and wat
erways Every important port Of Europe
Is being improved to the highest degree or
efficiency for ocean traffic.
MILLIONS FOR NEW HARBOR.
The Pacific coast Of South America
extending 5000 miles south from Pana'
ma, is awakening to the opportunities
Mat will come with the opening of the
.anal. Chile Peru and Bolivia are
spending s5O.ooO.0O0 in opening their
Interior country with railways Chile
Is building at Valparaiso a fine new
harbor
Guayaquil the principal port OF
Ecuador and one of the great harbors
of the Pacific ocean, Is to be made SAM
tary at large expense. Inspired by
the successful sanitation Of the canal
zone. all the South American ports where
fever has been prevalent will be put
under sanitary regulations which Will
prevent epidemics such as have been
frequent in the past.
on the Atlantic coast. activity is even
| greater. Argentina is spending $3o,0Oo 900
In harbor improvements at Buenos Ayres
and Uruguay is laying out the same
amount at the port of Montevideo.
NEW RAILWAYS IN BRAZIL
Brazil, in addition to putting into first
class condition every port on her 5000
mile coast line. is spending 800, 100000 in
new railways to the rich interior.
Venezuela and Colombia, Central Amer
lea, Mexico. Cuba. and the other Central
American countries are alert to the trade
openings to follow the completion of the
canal, and are sending agents and COM
missions to study the trade possibilities.
European governments are instructing
their diplomatic and consular agents to
make special reports on every trade
opportunity expected to result from the
canal. Foreign chambers are working
along the same lines, and business schools
are training men for the South American
field. European banking and investment
houses are also extending their foreign
facilities
NEW STEAMSHIPS IN PACIFIC.
On the Asiatic side, three Japanese
steamship companies are building YES
sells for the canal, and Japanese bank
ers are considering the establishment
| of branches in Latin.America. A steam
ship company owned in China is planning
line from Shanghai. and Hong Kong
to Central and South America
Australia's commercial organizations
are sending men to South America ia
develop trade. while Australia and New
Zealand are planning to establish a canal
steamship line Of their own.
The foregoing data has been compiled
by the Pan-American union which urges
renewed efforts in the United States ia
meet the great preparations in other coun-
tries.
Although the canal was not planned
as revenue producer for the United
States, it may finally turn out to be a
good financial investment. Originally II
was planned to issue 1915 100000 in bonds
for the canal. but owing to the good
condition of the National Treasury only
$4,000 900 have been put out.
SURPLUS SEEMS ASSURED.
With an $50, 600 surplus at the presen,
time, it is practically certain that no fur
ther issue will be required.
Exclusive Of military maintenance. thu
operating expenses of the canal will come
well under 100000 year and may no
be $4,0Oo,OOo. The receipts in the openint
years from tolls are estimated at abou
81, 100000. leaving surplus which woult
not only meet the interest on the out
standing bond. but leave a tidy sum t,
The capacity OF the canal will be 5000
tons day. Running at full capacity will
tolls at $l.25 a ton, revenue would be 500,
OO0 a day. $4,000 Of which would be profit
The total annual profit would be 1872. $50. OO(
This amount would be reduced by tn
coastwise traffic, passing through fire.
of tolls, which Is estimated will be com
paratlvely small In comparison with tn
fnrepp tonnage