The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1921-01-03
OIL IS THERE, BUT INDIANS
AND MOUNTAINS STAND GUARD

w United TretA
Washington, Dec 29.-The new
South American oil field is bringing
gray hairs to a group of U. 5. en-
glneers. Biologists believe they have
discovered oil in Bolivian district
which is flanked on one side by
mountains three miles high, and on
the other by an mexplored land,
inhabited by savage Indians. There
several million acres Of American
concession in this remote Bolivian
field. They are wasted unless the
engineers can outwit the Andes
mountains, or the Gan Chaco.
The Gran Chaco is wild region
to the east of the La Paz district Of
Bolivia, where the new oil field has
been found. A white man crossed
il once they say. But he died in
1850. He was one Of the Spanish
Conquistadores Other venturesome
gentlemen have attempted the jour
ney since. but the Indians got EN-.
The Andes bulk from $4,000 to IL
600 feet high, to the west of the
fieldcutting off access to the Pacific
ocean No railroads cross the range
in this region. Tunnels are impos-
sible. But the world needs oil,
and American "ol hounds are on
the Job, and that, it is said here
means that the Gran Chsco. which
has resisted the white man from
Pizzaro's day to this, must now be
forced to yield.
A 500mie pipe line across a neck
OF the Gran Chaco would carry oil
from the La Paz field to a point on
the Parana River, and from there
it could be tanked to the South Am
erican Atlantic seaboard. U. S..
government field men who have re-
Gently returned from this territory
say a small army would be needed to
fight the Indians while laying the pipe
line through their territory, and that
a constant guard would be neces-
sary along its entire length to pre-
vent its destruction.
Other parts of the new South Am
erican oil field offer fewer transpor-
tation difficulties, but none, it was
said here, have more promising in
dications of yield than the Bolivian
district.
u s. government trade represen-
tatives, after years survey of the
territory, expressed the belief that
an oil field great in area but as yet
OF unknown production, extends the
length of South America just east Of
the Andes. Explorers of a dozen
countries are scurrying the length
and breadth of this region, with AM
erican companies easily in the lead
both in the number of parties in the
ilciu anu III thc duiOuht VI dSiCaSO AOt
which concessions have been obtain.
ed.
Great reticence and secrecy have
been maintained by American oil
interests about their South American
prospects and accomplishments. Gov
eInment reports here indicate. how
ever, that American concessions are
so extensively scattered through ev-
cry possible field in South America
that wherever the "big rush" comes
oil men from this country will pro-
badly be in a position to control the
largest acreage of any foreign group.
All South American countries are
chary of permitting outright sale to
foreigners of oil land rights. ae-
cording to information here. Conces-
sions permit the holder under gov
ernmental regulations, including a
tax of percentage of production,
only to lease the land for prescrib-
ed number of years with rights of
lease-renewal.