Evening star., 1917-09-23
BY CHARLES NJ. PEPPER.

~ ARAGUAY is the latest South
III American republic to line up
against Germany. An exhor
q tation from Minister Baez not
long ago was the first evidence that
this inland country was. concerned in
the world war.
In the sense of belligerency Para
guay's action is not of much conse-
Quence to Germany. The general stan
at Berlin and the naval commanders at
Kiel are not apt to stop to take notice
Of it. since Paraguay is far removed
from any possible participation There
Is no German minister in Asuncion to
be given a hint that his presence is
undesirable, nor is there any Para
guayan minister in Berlin.
Paraguay has no navy and no mer-
chant marine. Its commerce Is small
and has not suffered inconvenience
from Germany's submarine warfare.
Arhe intercourse between the two coun-
tries is very slight. although there are
Aome German commercial houses estab-
3ished in Paraguay. But to observers
bf South American affairs Paraguay's
action has an unmistakable significance.
1t Is evidence of South American solf-
Rarity against Germany. Bolivia was
the first South American country to
take a stand against Germany even be-
fore the United States declaration that
a state of war existed. Since Bolivia
was a midcontinent country with no
navy and no merchant ships to be In
ferfered with. at the time her action
was taken not much consideration was
given il. Yet il was the first step to-
ward South American solidarity, while
the other midland country of Paraguay
takes the last step.
1t is perhaps not to the credit OF
American readers that few OF them. on
reading Minister Baez's pronunciamen-
to. knew where Paraguay is. South
American geography is not a strong
point with most people in the United
States. Yet. those who read that Para
quay wanted to array herself with the
United States and make known her at
titude as anti-German had vague no
tion that the country was not so Tar
away.
It Is not much farther away than
Uruguay and Argentina. 1t is en-
braced in the basin of La Plate
river. with its great branches. the Pa
rama and the Paraguay By the river
course it is about a thousand miles
from Buenos Aires to Asuncion. As
the crow flies. il is perhaps seven hun
dred miles very good line of steam
ers makes the voyage and the trip is
interesting. although a little monoto-
nous. Those who are in a hurry. how
ever. can make the journey by rail
The railway systems were joined UP
four years ago. and now there is
comfortable railway journey from Bue-
nos Aires to Asuncion. From this it
will be seen that this interior coun-
try of South America is quite accessi-
BILE. and is in touch with world events.
Paraguay is principally an agricul-
tural country. 1t boasts of a splendid
climate. Its leading resources are cat
tie and hides. oranges and other trop-
ical fruits. tobacco. tanning extract and
the plant known as yerba mate. or
Paraguayan tea. Sugar cane Is culti
waited in some sections. In the vast
region known as the Chaco there is
splendid grazing land. and in the high
or sections wheat and the cereals are
raised.
Paraguay in normal years has a for
eign commerce that appro1imates $S,-
100000. 're exports exceeding the I'M
ports. Some of the exports 60 oversee.
by way Of Argentina. and are credited
TO that country.
Yerba mate, or tea, is the most val
liable export. Most of this is con-
sumed by neighboring South American
countries. since . market has not been
AotAbiishsd for It in Europe or the