The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-26


rise to-day. 1t was very inter-
sting to think that the coast line now
uuks Just the same as when Columbus
allied along these shores 425 years ago.
y fact. my Venezuelan friends say that
Is he reached the harbor Of La Guayra,
, here we now are, Columbus gave
hanks to God who delivered him from
to many troubles, still showing him
l,w countries fun of peaceful people
md great wealth." Whether or not
'o,umbus put the great wealth" in
ialics ! do not know. but in the quota
iou, from his diary, which the Venezue-
an people use. the last two words
ways appear in italics.
Hence from the earliest days Of dis
overy this land abounded in great
la,ural wealth, and 1t appears truly
charitable that the riches should have
emained practically untouched during
hesc four centuries. This fact can be
only when we remember that
hcse Spanish explorers sought the easy
Dad to wealth. Hence where time and
nbor figured In an enterprise it was
EFT for future generations to work out.
borrower, the richness Of the soil really
,roves hindrance to development, for
he forest growths were so thick that
hey were almost impossible to pene-
rate.
Mrs. Babson, who Las lived more or
ess in southern climates, insists that
10 country in the tropics can ever be-
ONE a factor in world development.
the insists that a warm climate makes
ny extended industry and commercial
rowth impossible. The very nature Of
he climate tends to laziness and causes
men to seek living without working.
Ience with all due respect to our own
this causes men to seek en-
'loyment in political life rather than
enterprises. This is the fun
explanation why revolutions
lave been the principal industry Of
as well as the Central Ameri-
an republics further north. Moreover,
n conjunction with the agrarian ques-
ion. this same psychological or
fact is at the bottom Of
he present revolution in Mexico.
Personally I cannot bring myself to
gree wholly with Mrs. Babson's views
u think that Venezuela with 394, 900
Quare miles, as large as the whole Of
lew England, New York. Pennsylvania.
Few Jersey, Delaware. Maryland and a
aw more States thrown in. will not be-
ONE a source Of great wealth to some
ne. With the broad and fertile plains,
he tremendous forests and the various
Their advantages the climatic conditions
must give way to advancing commerce
nd industry.
In fact find that capital is already
Working its way to Venezuela and Is
ush!ng several small railroads slowly
rom the coast into the remote sections,
while roads are being built so that the
tumble native is able to bring his prod
'cts to market and buy goods with the
roh,s therefrom. Travel in Venezuela
as greatly increased. am told. during
he past few years, and every traveller
eturns home impressed with the COM
nercial possibilities as well as the
atural beauty Of the country.
l1,r 10 to-
stcd to know the origin OF the name
'enczuela. This was brought TO my
itrntion as We passed the island of
iaracaiho and saw the picturesque In
ianS living In their piled houses con-
tructed over the water. 1t was the an
estors of these same Indians living in
he same way whom Amerigo Vespucci
irst saw when he reached the coast OF
south America four centuries ago. The
rht II these houses built over the
water with the Indians going about in
oats reminded him so much Of Venice
% Italy that he called this new country
''nrzuela, which simply means Little
Venice"
Speaking Of Amerigo Nespucci reminds
Do" that last winter my little girl and
s!tcd his grave In Italy. Consider
'hc fact that ne named America or
'hcr that America Is named for him
was very much surprised that no
more notice has been taken OF his
ir.al Place. only round medallion
% b, floor Of an old church over which
o many persons have walked that his
'uc is almost indlstinguishable marks
.' resting place Of this man. 1t seems
me that all Of the nations of Amer
including both North and South
.'d each make a little contribution
N1rd providing some monument for
man who gave our great continent
'nu,.
l, point let M say a word rela-
900 lhc ease and comfort with which
rip can be tax n. ! am at this
t M # writing but few miles from
'uuator sailing on "A White star
uship. From every indication !
d think ] were sailing off the coast
n NJ on "A beautiful summer day.
think that this trip Is hot and
.rroahc and Of course sometimes
'.Iy hc; but certainly We have had