The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-03
PARAGUAY OFFERS
BIG OPPORTUNITIES
Great Midland Republic of
South America Needs Only
Capital.

Now that the war Is over and the de-
mands Of the American Government for
funds with which to finance operations
are lessening, investors are beginning to
seek new fields for their available funds
In view of this situation the banks OF
the country are constantly procuring in
formation from their foreign branches
with respect to opportunities for invest
ment for American capital As a re-
suit OF investigation along this line con-
siderable data as to the chances for in
vestment now open in Paraguay has
been obtained
paraguay" says the Buenos Ayres
branch in its report to the National City
Bank OF New York. rs one OF the small
est OF the South American republics. and
because o. its physical location. being
situated inland and in the centre OF
the continent. Is Off the beaten track OF
tourists Such visitors usually come
down one coast. cross the continent be-
tween Buenos Ayres and Valparaiso and
return up the other coast without visit
ing the interior and probably without a
thought of the little republic or its pos
siblities for employment Of capital or
energy.
with the exception OF the Bolivian
border on the northwest, which forms
less than one-sixth OF the Paraguayan
frontier the boundaries OF the country
are formed by the waters Of three big
rivers. the Alta Parana, the Paraguay
and the Pilcomayo. all of which drai in
into the Parana This. after joining
with the Uruguay River. becomes the
mighty Rio de la Plata, which. thirty
miles wide at it's source and ESQ miles
wide at its mouth. IL really n great delta
for the rivers mentioned. draining the
table lands Of Bolivia and Western Bra
I'll.
NaviRable for 1000 Miles.
This system Of rivers furnishes prac-
tically the only means OF reaching the
heart of South America and shallow
draught boats are able TO go from Buenos
Ayres 10 the western part OF the prov
ince OF Matto Crosse. Brazil. n distance
OF 1000 miles, during nearly the whole
year. Occasionally the water is too low
FOR even this navigation during the dry
months and communication is severed
for time
The Alta Paraguay leaves the west
ern boundary Of the republic just above
Asuncion. the capital city, and runs
due north. dividing Paraguay all the
way 10 the Brazilian line. The land to
the east Of this river and lying between
1t ard the Alta Parana is somewhat
developed and has been fairly we'll ex-
piored. but that lying west of The division
known az the Faraguayan Chaco forms
vast tract Of virgin territory. much
or which has not been explored and
which Ia held In very large lots mostly
by virtue OF grants by the Paraguayan
Government. This land is blocked out
In parcels one league wide on the river
front and ten leagues long to each zone
westward from the river To get some
idea OF the size Of the holdings one must
realize that a square league in Para
quay is equivalent to 1890 acres.
East OF the Paraguay River the land
is rolling and reaches into the table
lands Of Brazil with an altitude IN to
1000 feet. while the land on the west
Is low and we'll watered by numerous
rlachos or little rivers some OF them
fairly navgable for launches and light
draught boats for many miles All these
rivers abound In edible fish and ouan-
titles OF alligators. There is abundance
or good water. open pasturaRe for twelve
months of the year. no ticks and. no
serious cattle diseases. Therefore this
section is wonderful cattle country
In fact cattle raising is the prlncipal
Industry in this part OF Paraguay and
the second In Importance In the re-
public
The principal product Is the yerba
mate or Paraguayan tea, which is raised
mainly In the eastern half Of Paraguay
and Is shlpped In increasing quantities