Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-04-15

How South American Continent VIII
Be Developed In Future Through
Great Waterway-Distances Almost
Annihilated-Ths Riches Of Bolivia
Dsseribed-Has Monopoly Of Tin.
1.-The dream Of centuries will be re
allied and physical distances will be
almost annihilated by the opening in
the near future of the Panama canal"
writes Ignacio Calderon, minister OF
Bolivia to the United States, In the
March issue Of Export American In
dustries. THE slow development of
commercial relations between this
country and the republics Of South
America In the past has been largely
due to the difficulties Of crossing the
isthmus. The transportation charges
via Panama have been to large ex.
tent prohibitive. The freightage by
steamer from our ports to New York
via Magellan and from our ports to
Europe is on an average from % to
30 per cent cheaper than our com
merce with New York via Panama.
this despite the fact that the most dis
tant ports of our respective republics
are but $500 miles from New York
via Panama and 1000 miles from
New York via Magellan.
1.-The completion of the Panama ca
nal will remove these and other OBJ
stacles. Equally important will be the
better understanding Of the markets
of South America By the exporters
and manufacturers of this country.
who will have more opportunity to
study and consult the tastes and ne
cessities Of the South American people
and also will have greater facilities to
visit the various countries in order to
get acquainted with the business men.
Personal and direct contact is a pow
erful element Of union and powerful
agency for the promotion of advan
tageous relations.
South America's Riches.
1.-THE continent of South America Is
capable of unlimited development by
reason Of its size. the variety and rich
ness Of its products The total popula
ton Of the ten republics does not ex
coed 6O.OOOOOO people. but their inter
national commerce amounts to about
$2.6OO.OOO.O0O annually and grows
steadily every year
MY country. Bolivia. situated in the
center Of the continent and crossed by
double chains of the Andes watered
by great rivers flowing to the Amazon
and the Plata. rich In virgin forests,
abundance Of rubber and all tropical
products, offers In its eastern plains
wonderful opportunities for stock rails
muth. zinc and tin are the principal
sources Of wealth ever since the domi
nation Of Spain. The silver mines Of
Potosi produced billions during the 300
years Of the colonial period. and II 1t
had not been for the great depreciation
in the value Of THIS metal and the lack
Of cheap transportation the numerous
mines abandoned would today be In
active operation.
BOLIVIA Haa Tin Monopoly.
ION the other hand. the exploitation
Of tin has increased considerably. Bo.
Mvia. being the only American country
where this metal Is found In paying
quantities. has. ! will say. the natural
monopoly in its production. Last year
more than $4,000 tons Of pure tin were
exported. and. with better transporta-
ton facilities and greater working pop
ulation. Bolivia. that now produces
about one.fourth part Of the tin used.
could easily supply enough for the
worlds consumption.
The opening Of the Panama canal
viii make yet more important the de-
velopment Of the free commercial rela-
lions between both Americas. The
completion of that stupendous work.
called to revolutionize the political and
trade relations Of the world. will show
how near neighbors. we are and how
close together are the countries Of this
hemisphere. May their relations In.
crease and. With the development OF
trade and friendly intercourse. all the
nations Of America become the homes
Of happy and free peoples and Of per
manent peace and good will among
them"