El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-06-27

only about one-third as many. This is
so Notwithstanding COchabamba is To-
Gated in one Of the most fertile valleys
OF all South America Sucre has less
than 10000, and POtOsi, which has
added more than $1,000. 000. 600 in
precious metals TO the wealth OF the
world, is still smaller. OrurO, the
chief tin mining center. away down
in the desert, does a great deal Of
business. but il has very few people.
and altogether there are probably not
more than 2000 900 in all of Bolivia who
are living in towns Outside are large
tracts that are given over to the in
diens, and in eastern Bolivia are
pampas covered with grass that are
equal to the Argentine republic in
their wonderful fertility. Indeed, the
whole Of the republic Is full Of agri-
cultural and mineral possibilities. and it
awaits only the advent OF capital and
enterprise to make il become a live,
active force IN the work OF the world.
Beginning OF Railroad Era.
The beginning OF the railroad era
here was the sale to Brazil Of the Acre
territoryd near the headwaters Of the
Amazon For this the government was
paid over 100000 and it was de-
cided to use this sum for new railways.
The money was taken to New York.
and it was American enterprise and
American engineers who laid down the
first tracks Of the system. Other
moneys were borrowed and up to about
a
been spent. There are now several
lines under construction and the new
roads projected are now more than
1000 miles.
1 can see great changes in La Paz
The capital has sprung into new life,
and II seems to be more enterprising
than Lima, although the latter is al
most twice its size New buildings are
going up everywhere, and masons and
carpenters are working in every part
Of the high basin in which the capital
lies The streets are full Of traffic
AS you 90 along them you are Jostled
by donkey trains and llama trains, and,
I might also say, by trains OF indians
as well. for much OF the goods is car
ried through the streets on the backs
Of the natives. The city has now an
electric car line, but the streets are so
narrow that the cars have TO run at
one side, the trolley arms being
fastened 10 the walls OF the houses.
City Built in n Hole.
Within the past decade La Paz has
practically doubled in size It has ex-
tended out over the basin, and is be-
ginning to climb the sides Of the hills.
The street car line now runs about two
miles down the valley, through the
crack in the sides Of the hole where
the city is built There is one suburb
called Barracks and another Alirahores-
In the latter president Monies is said
TO own most Of the property, and there
Mrs. Monies is building an insane
YUM rs a CntlllLE lot lut capital
The buildings IN the heart Of la PaZ
have been greatly improved. Right in
the center of the city is a beautiful
plaza filled with grass, flowers and
trees, and on one sled of this has been
erected the new Bolivian capitol build
ing. in which congress meets. on an
other side is the presidents palace, or
the white house Of the Bolivian re-
public It was there that l was re-
ceived by president Monies The build
ing is being improved. and the masOns
are now working at it. I went up
staircase made Of the purest white ala
baster from the qUarries Of the Desag-
uaderO river. not far away, and the
magnificent parlor in which I was re-
ceived was decorated with statues and
paintings
Just next to this palace building Is
the La Pax cathedral It has been in
course Of construction for two genera
tons and more, and parts Of il have
been torn down again and again. The
walls are now about IS feet in height,