Evening star., 1919-05-04
BOLIVIA LOOKS TO u. S.
FOR TRADE IN FUTURE,
Third of South American Republics, Rich
in Resources, Assured of
Great Prosperity

tin, copper. silver and bismuth mines
are credited with being among the
richest in the world. There was a
time " hen Bolivia ranked third among
the silver-producing countries. This
white metal is found in almost every
part of the republic. However. 1t is
from it's vast tin mines that Bolivia
is today receiving its greatest profit
and prominence.
Await American Capital.
Notwithstanding that it's most re-
cent export figures showed that its
tin exports amounted to approXi-
mately one-half of its total exports
the mines have scarcely been scratch
ed, it is said. Numerous tin mines are
simply waiting for American capital
to develop them and to make them
yield their stored treasures. Most of
the tin mines now developed are being
operated with British capital. AS !,
result of the wealth that has been
made in this industry Bolivia is the
home of many tin kings" Quite
few of these Tin kings" live in Erg-1
land and operate their Bolivian mines
at a distance.
Inasmuch as the United States con-
sumes nearly Al PEI cent of the tin
production of the world it seems hard
to believe that it should have ignored
the advantages and possibilities
awaiting it throughout this Andean
republic For economic reasons alone
it seems only natural that the United
States would have produced its own
tin ore in Bolivia. 1t could be easily
smelted in the United States. all of
which would make this nation lnde-
pendent of the British monopoly. For
tunately opportunity for this accom-
plishment is today waiting upon the
ca pitalists of the United States and
most liberal and attractive induce
ments are being made for the invest
ment of American capital In Bolivian
tin mines.
Copper Next to Tin.
A prominent place is held by Bo-
livia also in the production OF bis
muth. However, next to tin, copper is
the principal metal produced. Accord
ing to the most recent figures, cop
per represented more than one
fourth Of the republics exports. The
annual gold production is estimated
at about S350.000: silver totals trifie
more than s2.0o0.000; lead. s325.000;
s1.100.000, and zinc, about $4,000.
Rubber Is abundant in Bolivia and it
ranks next to tin in the country's
exports. Its total value in a recent
year was more than S6,000.000 The
rich rubber lands lie principally in
der. Two varieties are extensively
found, especially in the Acre terri
tory. One is known as the caucho.
which has to be cut down in order to
extract the sap, and the hevea. which
is merely tapped In some instances
the trees are tapped for a period of
two years, and are then rested for a
similar period Other rubber trees
are tapped for six years a a time and
are then left untouched tor a like
hn
thirty to forty years old when Sc
lected for tapping in the Acre section
and are expected to yield for at least
twenty years.
Among the other valuable vegetable
products of Bolivia are cacao and
conee. Bolivia cocoa commands a
high price in foreign market because
OF its superior quality. Upland rice is
grown to some extent, but not in suf-
ncient quantity to entirely satisfy
the local demand
To Grow More Wheat.
Bolivia expects to increase greatly
us wheat production. To satisfy this
ambition additional capital only is
needed. as vast areas of the republic
are we'll suited to the cultivation of
wheat and at present only small
portion is being utilized In this re-
spect the government is actively en-
gagged IN casting about for the fur
ther development of its agricultural
possibilities 1t is thoroughly i'm
pressed with the rich, fertile lands
within it's borders and realizes the i'm
portance of stimulating agriculture
among its rural population. Also it is
endeavoring to induce emigrants from
other countries TO como to Bolivia. In
carrying out it's program for agri-
cultural development Bolivia has
within the past year imported wheat
of d superior quality from the United
States for the purpose of supplying
high grade seed to home growers.
Sheep. cattle and lamas are numer-
Gus, and to stimulate live stock indus
try national veterinary inst!tute'a nd
agricultural school have been recent
ly established. Several breweries ana
shoe factory, besides many minor
industrial establishments, are being
operated in Bolivia.
According TO the most recent report
of the director general of customs the
total foreign trade of Bolivia amount
ed to S45.936, lis. OF this amount the
imports represented sSS04os1 and ex-
ports s27.132.031. The total exports
trade, according to these figures shows
an increase of more than 10 per cent
over the preceding year.
In Bolivia there are in operation a
trife over eleven hundred miles of
railways. three hundred and seventy
six miles in course of construction,
and about two thousand miles pro-
jected. A large percentage of the
equipment and rolling stock used in
this industry were purchase in the
United States and 1t is more than a
probability that this country will get
the bulk of the business planned. The
principal trunk line operates from La
PaZ to Antofa gasta, on the Pacific.
There is newer and shorter line to
the Pacific which runs from La Paz