The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-01
ND WONDERFUL POSSIBILITIES OF THE WEST COAST
his dictionary to the table to order his

his dictionary to the table to order his
meals.
The Huallaga has just about 5000
tons. 1t Is a new boat made in France
about two years ago. 1t burns oil az
fuel, and 1t can mako sixteen knots an
hour. 1t is very steady and Is ex-
ceedingly comfortable.
Just now we are moving rapidly
down the west coast OF Colombia, but
so far out that the land cannot be seen.
1t is only tho small steamers like the
Manavi that call at tho ports on that
coast, and this will be the case until
the Panama Canal Is opened.
There arc a half dozen Colombian
ports on the Pacific. the largest OF
which are Buenaventura and Temuco
Neither of these has over $500 popu-
lation. Most OF the other ports have
no good landing places. and at some
you have TO be carried on shore on tho
backs of negroes. Nevertheless. I am
| told that tho harbors arc good. and
that they will be improved as soon as
| the canal is in use
| Buenavcntura will probably he tho
| chief port on the west coast or Colon
bia. The town is built on an island.
| which lies at the head of the bay
about eight miles from the sea. and at
| the mouth of tho Dagua River. BY
dredging. the harbor can easily be
made an excellent one: and the frm of
| S. Pearson & Son, of London. has just
made n contract with the Colombian
| government for surveys with view
to its Improvement. IN this contract
they are to get $4,000 for the plans
and estimates of tho cost OF construc-
ton. Tho proposed improvements in
cludc n clearing and anchorage ground
OF more than mile long and about
half a milo wide. and also new city.
Including it's water works and "A system
of sanitation and paving. All OF tho
plans are based upon a city OF $4,000
Inhabitants and by the contract they
have To be ready on or before August
10. 1914.
The Buenavcntura OF the present has
only 1000 people. that this VIII give
you some idea of what Is expected in
the way OF growth from the opening
Of the canal.
Buenavcntura has already railroad
which is being built over the noun
tains into the great valley of the Cauca
River. This road is owned by Ameri-
cans. IT begins at the harbor. and will
go over a pass about 5000 feet high.
from where there Is an easy grade
down into the valley. The valley of
tho Cauca is one OF the paradise spots
of the South American continent 1t
is several hundred miles long and
twenty or more miles in width. 1t
begins near Ecuador and runs north
through great part OF Colombia. AL
together II is almost large Calf
fornia, and equally rich. The land Is
high and healthful. and the soil !s
fitted for coffee, cacao and all sorts
OF semitropical fruits. There arc some
Americans who have already lands
there. Labor is plentiful. and tho
chances for development good.
Parts OF the valley are underlaid with
coal. some OF which is OF good
steaming variety. and one of the OBJ
jects OF the railroad VIII be 10 carry
this coal down to the Pacific Ocean.
where IL will command a high price.
The road will eventually connect with
the other railroads OF the country and
Will probably some DAY be SO extended
as 10 reach Bogota.
You people OF North America have
no idea OF the possibilities right under
your noses Colombia is your next door
South American neighbor and It will
pay you to cultivate IT. Its people now
have strained relations with tho
CONTINUED on Last Page.)