The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-03-15


although the soil is said to be admir-
ably adapted to agriculture. There Is
an absence, however, of the great
ranchOS 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 sub
ordinate capacities because the
ranchero is better fitted for handling
business. The Swiss colonsts, 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 n third Of the cOuntry's 1,5OO,-
600 people. However, many Of the
! factories in the busy seaport capital
would do credit to any tlOuriShing
American or European city. 1t is in
| the workshops and manufacturing
plants of MOntevidPO 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-
/ tion. Montevideo is one Of the lead
ing cities in South America, both in
natural advantages and the beauty OF
its architecture.
Keeps Its Currency Value Up.
Uruguay Is financially one of the
most substantial countries in the
world. 1t has Il paper currency, but
its peso can be exchanged for slight
ly more than par value Of the gold
coin of any country, Its exports have,
for number of years, kept well ahead
of its imports. In q recent year they
stood: Exports, $65, 900; imports,
$50 G66,OO0.
The combined acreage Of the coun-
try is about 1O,0O0,00O, of which about
40,0O0O00 acres is devoted to grazing
and pasture land. A serious effort is
being made by the state to reforest
n part of the land and rewards are
offered to private persons who plant
and care for trees on their land. The
government also appropriateS large
sum annually for agricultural shows
in each of the 10 departments or
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
crty 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. II. Koebel, one of the widest-known
authorities on South America, says
In the matter of Sobriety Uruguay
can easily allow points to almost any
other nation. Only Il small proportion
of crime is caused in Uruguay by
either dishonesty or drink" Uruguay
IN laws dealing with corporations and
investments have been lenient in the
past. but Il 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 sc
freely or rashly given as in this cOun
try. The would-be voter must pass
Ilrracy test before he is permitted
to register.