The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1917-03-15


although the soil is said TO be admir-
ably adapted to agriculture. There is
an absence, however, of the great
ranches that distinguish Argentina
the Uruguayan lands are more broken
up into small holdings. Frequently
the guachos or cowboys are part own
ers of the herds, serving only in SUBJ
ordinate capacities because the
ranchero is better fitted for handling
business. The Swiss colonists, be-
sides taking with them the customs Of
their own land, have established the
dairying and cheesemaking industries
with which they were familiar in Eu-
rope. They also took with them a
knowledge of vineyards that has re-
suited In the Introduction of new
source of wealth to Uruguay.
Manufacturing has made little prog
ress outside Montevideo. where live
nearly third of the country's 1,500,-
900 people. However, many of the
factories in the busy seaport capital
would do credit to any tiourishing
American or European city. 1t is in
the workshops and manufacturing
plants of Montevideo that The govern
ment has imposed the eight-hour day.
not alone because of the greater eff
cheney brought by the short day, but
because of the feeling that the work
ers must have ample time for recrea-
ton Montevideo is one Of the lead
ing cities in South America. both in
~ Of
its architecture.
Keeps Its Currency Value UP.
Uruguay is financially one of the
most substantial countries in the
world 1t has paper currency, hut
its peso can be exchanged for slight
iy more than par value Of the gold
coin of any country. Its exports have,
for number of years. kept we'll ahead
of its imports. In recent year they
stood: Exports, $65, 142 900; imports,
$50666, 900.
The combined acreage of the eoun-
100000 acres Is devoted to grazing
and pasture land. A serious effort Is
being made by the state to reforest
a part of the land and rewards are
offered to private persons who plant
and care for trees on their land. The
government also appropriates a large
sum annually for agricultural shows
states. The government has given
100000 for buildings for the Rural
association of Uruguay, which holds
an annual gathering at Montevideo.
Europeans enjoy equal rights with
natives under the Uruguayan laws,
but these laws are strictly enforced.
Owing to the low percentage of pow
erty and the prevailing temperance of
the people, the percentage of serious
crime is said to be below that of vir-
tually all other American countries.
w. III. KOebel, one of the wideSt-known
authorities on South America, says:
''In the matter of sobrietyI Uruguay
can easily allow points to ahnost any
other nation. Only small proportion
of crime is caused In Uruguay by
either dishonesty or drink" Uruguay
an laws dealing with corporations and
investments have been lenient In the
past, but movement has been under
way for same time to give private
capital fewer advantages at the same
time extending state ownership and
control.
Education is compulsory and the
schools are under state supervision,
even to the normals and universities.
The voting age begins at twenty years.
only men being permitted to vote.
But the right Of franchise is not SO
freely or rashly given as in this coun-
try. The would-be voter must pass
literacy test before he is permitted
to register.