Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-12

the Andes. Since coming here he has
esta blished excellent connections with the
Bolivians. and | find him popular. He
lives in the house that was occupied by
the former minister. Horace c. Knowles.
1t faces the Prado, or chief public park
and promenade Of the capital and Is In
the official and social heart of the CITY.
Mr. Rear tells me that American ex-
porters should establish permanent
agencies in La Paz and send their own
men down here to push their goods.
Mr. Knowles the former minister. In
SO confident of the future Of the country
that he has abolished company for
the mineral development of Bolivia. This
is chartered in Portland. Me-. and its
authorized capital is $2Jo0o.oOo II has
its engineers and prospectors. who are
travelling over the Andes looking for good
propositions. lands and mines. which.
when found. to he developed by Bo-
liVian and American capital. Mr.. Knowles
is the president of the lncaoro Mining
Compan,. which. he tells me is doing
wonders l have already spoken OF the
gold hricks-real gold. not imitation
that he showed me from this mine and
his story is that il grows better and
better Mr.. Knowles does not hesitate
10 urge the Investment OF American cap
ital in Bolivian mines He thinks this
the next generation: and il is a part OF
his business just now to induce Ameri-
cans to come to it. Personally l believe
every man ought to investigate such
PROPOSITIONS carefully before putting any
OF his hard-earned American dollars into
them.
find that the Americans are doing
much IN Bolivia. along the lines of edu-
cation | have already written OF their
Indian school on the banks of Lake Tit
caca This is thriving and II promises
to work a revolution in race that sore
~ needs il. Here AT La Paz ia the
American Institute This is college for
the higher education of Bolivian youth
that is making big impression upon
the country. II is supported by the
Methodist Episcopal Church Of the
United States. but the Bolivian govern
ment esteems il so highly that IL makes
an appropriation every year for il and
encourages ii in every possible way
This school was founded in 1876 al the
request of the Bolivian government by
the missionaries and il is under their
control. 1t is not sectarian in its teach
ing. When it was first opened IL had an
attendance Of lao pupils. and since then
the number has grown to 800 and more
The students come from all parts of
Bolivia and even from over the borders
in Brazil and Peru. Not a few of the
bows have to travel a month by mule
stage coach and train TO get 10 La Paz
During my stay here | have visited this
institute and had talks with its teach
ers They are all Americans and the
school is run on the American plan. The
head is Prof. Mcbride and among the
teachers are the graduates of the best Of
our colleges
The American Institute is situated near
the Prado and not far from our legation
1t still occupies rented grounds and
y inv
ment for some one who wishes to lay up
treasures in heaven to give from $4,000
to $4,000 TO the buying of land and
the erection of buildings for the insti-
tute. When Secretary Bryan was here
six or seven wears ago, he started
movement toward the raising Of this
money; but so far as / know he was not
altogether successful l know OF no
place where money could be better spent
AS it is now all of the buildings are
crowded and there are more applications
from students than can be filled. The
Methodist Church has established a Sec
c-dary school at Cochabamba, city OF
10000. in the heart of Bolivia. about
three days journey from La PaZ. TINS
school will have a like approprianon
from the government as that of La Paz
The American Institute is organized
after the model boys boarding schools
of the United States. 1t has all the fea.
lures that make school life pleasant, and
II mas taken TO SOne eAltHt tHc pdit vi O
Young Mems Christian Association In
the announcement of games and the de-
velopment of athletics. II has its liter
airy society and its school publications IT
has a Boy Scout movement and athletic
tournaments. with running. jumping and
foot ball matches. / have before me the
program of the tournament Of last year
The language is Spanish, but il can be
easily translated by those understanding
the sports The tournament was divided
into three classes. the first of which
was composed of the alumni and others
above fifteen years of age. The second
class was of all those between eleven
and fifteen years. and a third class was
for boys under eleven. The prizes were
gold silver and bronze medals, and
they were presented by the American
minister at the end of the games.
FRANK G. CARPENTER.