Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-06
south AMERICA LAND OF
MARVELLOUS RESOURCES
Chic Country OF Tomorrow When
Her Youth Learns OF Yam
kec Ingenuity.
HgGE BEDS OF COPPER ORE
Resident Of Richmond Writes Enter
tanning Letters Describing Views
While Passing Through Panama
Canal and Along West Const.
BY LUCY SINGLETON COLEMAN.

BIZ LUCY SINGLETON COLEMAN.
CHUQUICAMATA. CHILE, SOUTH
AMERICA, December 4-As a rcSiden;
OF Richmond having a temporary abode
In South America, it has occurred TO
me that q letter descriptive OF this
little known hemisphere would DC of
interest and, at the same time. serve 10
communicate my observations and i'm
prcssions TO many friends and acquaint-
anccs at home.
This is !, land or the strongest con-
trasts. from that of reversed seasons,
with Christmas in the summertime and
Easter In tho fail, 10 tcscrt ~ust and a
sweep OF landscape that Is as beautiful
as any in the world.
Passing through tropical seas. the
color OF which is comparable TO tho
heavenly blue OF the Mediterranean.
the first great experience in the voyage
to Chile is the stop in the Canal Zone.
This is usually a stay of from one to
five days. according to connections
made with Pacific steamers WAS
lucky enough 10 be delayed the maxi
mum time. with sufficient opportunity
and energy 10 explore the cuvirons OF
Colon and Criatobal (acccnt on second
sy!lable).
Tho first sign in tho latter place
which caught my curious eye WAS This
side for sold er,ployees-This side for
silver employees" Hero was my first.
Introduction TO tho much vexcd Qucs-
ton OF American currency. Given
cut scant talent for figures think OF
tho problem OF keeping ones accounts
In land whero money values change
nearly every day. This works a hard
chip upon English and American en-
ployces who arc paid in United States
currency and the value of the peso Is
not only different in every ono OF these
hng 49,, -
value In tho last three years here In
Cnile- Tho term gold" applies to
An Iican and English money. silver"
to- native coinage.
There arc two great facts every
where evident at Panama: the canal
ana sanitation. When ono has driven
.pr miles around the country and seen
the immense swamps. all drained or
oiieo, the hundreds OF houses. wire
Enclosed. and the entire absence al,
Hitler or refuse or any kind, It becomes
apparent that the transformation OF the
pest hole of tho two Americas into a
ueaith resort Is as great an achieve
HIent as the building of the canal
The thrill OF the first entrance into tho
Giant locks OF Gatun, when tho great
gates swing slowly open and then as
maocstically close. Is almost like cntcr-
NE new world with widc-c-ei as
eonlshment. Passengers on the ship
mo up on deck TO gaze in silence on
mis- world wondcr.--th.s product OF
American idcalism and pcrscvcraocc-
Tor, in tho presence OF such human
achievement. ono can scarcely sneak
III was disappointed that no boa con
ftFictor from The nearby Jungle pccpca
over the eHlbankinent, or other circus
animal roared "a our approach, there
was no dcarth Of hrillian Mt -hued .-op,-
cal butterflies or wrir-lia5 water
SNAKES gliding By, and unon every dad
trcctop IN Gatun Lakc or othc- poin,
OF vantage further along there 7crchsa
on one leg enormous rcIicany n sIil.n
dignity.