The Washington herald., 1913-10-25
KEEN Interest in
ROOSEVELT TRIP
Scientists Hope Colonel VIII
Make Discoveries IN
South America.
IS LAND OF CONTRASTS
Many Distinctive and Rare Animals
Exist in the Unexplorsd Regions
of the Interior.

Scientists connected with the Smith
sonian Institution. are greatly interested
In Theodore RooseveIt's South American
trip. They hope the former President
will plunge into the unexplored central
portion OF South America and bring
forth specimens OF animal life unknown
to civilized man. At any rate. several
OF them feel sure that Mr.. Roosevelt
will make important discoveries.
According to the scientists, South
America will be a revelation to the
former President II Is a continent of
striking contrasts. There1.the extremes
meet Great world cities OF the highest
type are fanked by villages of hut
dwellers OF the lowest order. Thousand
acre farms, modern In every detail, are
fringed by primitive forests. The cii-
mate varies from extreme heat to ex-
treme cold. Some Of the people are lazy
to the limit, while others are just the
reverse
To Visit BiR Cities.
While Col Roosevelt's route is sub
ject to change, Il Is understood that he
will visit the great capitals. Rio de
Janeiro, Buenos Ayres, and Santiago.
These are twentieth century cities
Founded in the early spanish days. they
lived a sleepy existence for hundreds OF
years. Fifty years ago they were aroused
by the call of commerce, and today are
splendid examples Of municipal develop
ment.
No more magnificent public buildings.
finer parks, or private residences exist
than can be found in these busy capitals.
They are all business centers
After Mr.. Roosevelt has visited the
several centers OF population he no doubt
VIII be entertained at some Of the great
ranches of South America. At these
'estancias," as they are known, he will
have the opportunity to contrast life on
the pampas OF South America with life
on the prairies Of North America.
These South American prairies present
the same problem which has arisen in
the Western section Of the United States
Already wheat-growing farmers have
usurped the land over which cattle for
merly roamed at will. So far there have
been no clashes between the conflicting
interests. The great acreage is owned by
individuals, and they are seeking to COM
bine cattle raising with wheat growing
Some Rare Animals.
While no big game. such as the ele-
plant, the lion, or the wart-hog Of Africa
Is to be found In South America, yet
there are so many distinctive and rare
NAdl
ist will be delighted with the specimens
that fall to his gun. Ant-eaters. arma-
dllloes, alligators. and adjutant birds
make uncommon trophies, while hunting
pumas and jaguars is much more dan
gerous than the chase of wildcats and
lions.
Col. Roosevelt, II 10 believed win make
4 determined effort to get a specimen of
the hoatzin, that extraordinary bird which
in its youth is a reptile, and. some ZOO
logists believe, the connecting link be-
tween snakes and the feathered families
More varieties Of reptiles are to be found
In the interior OF South America than in
any other section OF the globe.
Explorers who have had some expert
ence in the interior Of the Southern con-
tinent agree that IL Is the most difiicuit
section to penetrate of any quarter OF
the globe. Much OF the jungle land Is as
unknown 10 the white man today as It
was at the time the country was dis
covered.