The sun., 1919-03-10
COLOMBIA OPENS
VAST NEW FIELDS
South American Republic Has
Many Fine Opportunities
undevcloped.
MINERAL WEALTH GREAT
Soil So Rich That Cultivation
Is Easy without Fer
tilizers.
MINERAL WEALTH GREAT
ny AURELIo RUEDA ACosTA,

~ AURELIO RUEDA ACosTA,
CoHsui-GsncraI Of Colombia in Neln FORK.
specially uritter for the South Amerfcgr
Department Of THE Sun.
The Republic OF Colombia is the hrst
ana nearest country of South America
America, since it is bounded on the
northwest by Costa Rica, which is in
Central America.
It was discovered by Admiral Christie
pher Columbus on one OF his conquering
and colonizing voyages. This country.
as we'll as all others OF South America
except Brazil. was discovered by the
spaniards who gave II the impress OF
their legislation, language, customs and
religion. which explains the predomi-
nance OF idealism In the aspirations and
character OF the over six million inhab-
itants OF to-day.
Colombia has extensive coasts on both
oceans. with the deepest and most shell
tered bays in the world, in which the
largest steamships can easily anchor.
Among them may be enumerated the
ports Riohacha. Santa Marta. Barran-
quilla and Cartasena on the part of the
Atlantic Ocean called Sea OF Antilles,
from which commerce is carried on with
the United States. Canada and Europe,
and on the Pacific Ocean Buenaventura
and Tumaca, with commerce carried on
with all South American republics on
this sea coast and Japan.
climate Varies with Elevation.
Situated in the torrid zone It has,
properly speaking, no seasons but alter
nate rainy and dry seasons. One finds in
Colombia all degrees Of temperature
from the great heat of over 100 degrees
Fahrenheit, on its coasts and great river
valleys to the freezing cold OF the
glaciers on the peaks Of its cordilleras.
sill OF which causes the products OF all
climates to flourish here, principal among
which are in the tropical lowlandsI cacao,
sugar cane, maize, rice and cocanuts; IN
the temperate climatic region, fruits OF
all kinds, coffee, maize, yucca, vans, and
IN the cold Vplands, potatoes, wheat and
beans.
The exuberance OF tropical growth.
especially in Colombia, is exceptional
and the fertility of the terrain Is so great
that there are localities where the soil
has been worked for four centuries with
out the necessity OF fertilizing It and
vet produces fine harvests of cereals
rubers, &c.
From the mines is obtained an almost
insxhaustible supply OF emeralds alone
in the world for their purity and color.
These mines constitute a Government
monopoly. Platinum, in which Colombia
- to-day the country Of first production
in the world; gold. which is obtained in
great quantities. iron, silver, copper and
petroleum, which has been discovered in
deposits OF great extent, are also mined.
Variety. of Exports.
The principal articles OF export are
coffee, hides. bananas. tagua. or vege
table ivory. live stock and valuable hard
woods. Wool and cotton are produced
in quantities sufficient to satisfy a con-
siderable part Of the home consumption
IN exchange manufactured articles of
steel and iron, electrical apparatus, ma
thinery for exploitation Of mines and for
agriculture, woollen cloth, drugs, &c,
are imported.
The total OF the imports and exports
reached In the year 1918 close to 10000
coo pesos. Colombia's exterior and in
terror commerce utiliZes the grand water
ways which traverse a considerable part
OF her territory. The principal rivers
are the Magdalena, the Cauca, the Atrato
and the Meta a branch OF the mighty
Orinoco, which gives communication be-
veen the eastern plains. a region OF
great live stock production, and the
Atlantic.
Moreover. Colombia possesses as a
stimulus to her interior and exterior
commerce various railroads. OF which
the principal are the Pacific Railroad.
connecting the eastern coastal region
with the interior OF the country. leaving
the port of Buenaventura for Bogots /;
the Northern Railroad, connecting Be-
gotta, the capital OF the republic, with the
north OF the country: the Cucuta Rail.
road. which connects Colombia with
. Venezuela. and the AntioQuia Railroad,
which permits the exit of the mineral
and commercial products Of the region
OF the same name. perhaps the most i'm
portant in Colombia
The conditions Of the republic make It
especially we'll suited for immigration
three-fourths Of its territory Is as yet
unpeopled, without any colonization
whatever. Special official protection IS
AFFORDED immigrants by a Government
which is honorable in its dealings and
careful In carrying out all laws and pre-
venting any revolutionary agitations.
To-day Colombia carries on the ma
torfty OF its commerce with the United
states. due to the eXigencies OF the war,
but this commerce. favored by nearness
and the fellowship which analogous in
stitutons awaken. can become perma-
Cent II the impression produced by the
separation of Panama is eradicated nv
the approval OF the treaty of 1914, which
Is now awaiting the approval Of the
American Senate.