White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1931-09-10

Chile long held.
First opened up in 1880 when the
region was under Peruvian and Bo-
lfvian ownership, the mining opera
lions did not reach a great magnitude
until after Chile annexed the territory
in 1880. After that the worlds de-
mand for nitrates grew so great that
by 1918 Chile was exporting between
two and three million tons. The
World war increased the demand, for
nitrate is the chief raw material for
explosives as well as for wheat and
cotton growing; and Chiles desert de-
posfts kept the guns of the allies
booming.
If one would get a quick conception
OF the Importance, the lovely surround
ings, and the climate of Santiago,
Chile's capital, he should set San Fran
cisco or Los Angeles down In the most
beautiful inland portion of the Valley
Of California, give the Sierra Nevadas
4,VS feet more height apd pile on
them more generous caps of snow.
Santiago, with it's nearly three-quar-
tiers Of million population, is fairly
comparable in size to Pittsburgh and
Boston. Among the Spanish cities of
the world only Madrid and Barcelona
in the Old world, and Buenos Aires
and Mexico City in the new, exceed it.
But it is not on size that admirers
of Santiago base their eulogies. The
city, like our own capital, has sub
tie charm all it's own. Much Of this
is due to it's location. Many travellers
agree that it has the most beautiful
and inspiring setting of all the great
inland cities Of the world. 1t is stu
ated near the upper end of a noun
tain-rimmed valley, 40 miles long by
20 wide. Ten miles to the east the
Andes rise to heights greater than
$4,000 feet, presenting towering wall
always snow-capped. On the west is
lower coast range; and to the south
stretches level expanse of fertile
farming land divided into large es.
tates.
Park of Santa Lucia.
Santiago is built on the plain, but
within 1t rises a 400-foot hill, covering
several hundred aches which has been
made into one of the worlds unique
parks. Once nearly bare, the hill of
Santa Lucia has been transformed into
an enchanting modern hanging garden
of groves and flower beds, winding
roads and trails, cascades, terraces,
sylvan theaters and observation kiosks.
From it's slopes one may obtain numer-
Gus charming vistas, and from it's top
Santiago lies spread out in all its
lovely details.
1t is city predominately Of low,
f1at-roofed buildings for the hand of
Spain lies heavy upon it in all mat
tiers of habit and custom. But for all
that the old Spanish life has taken on
briskness that must be bred Of the
West. There is movement and bus
tie that modifies much of the influ-
ence of Old Spain, and which at the
same time stamps Santiago unmistak-
ably metropolis.
The axis of life In Santiago is the
beautiful Alameda de las Delicias-
THE tree-lined avenue of the delights"
which cleaves the city In two. It's
great breadth of $50 feet is divided by
four rows of stately trees. Down the
center is the Paseo, broad prom
enade. lined by many flower beds and
statue-studded little parks, along
which innumerable nursemaids herd
their romping charges. On either side.
nf hn orr hn tv.oo Iyc ~ fI,a o1n
trio street railway, and farther outside
are broad driveways. The Alameda is
lined with many of the finest resi-
dences and public buildings Of the
capital.
The lover of fresh air comes into
his own in Santiago's delightful cli-
mate. Great crowds promenade on
the Paseo and in the plazas each eve
ming Most of the dwellings are Of the
Spanish type with open courts in the
center in which much of the family's
time is spent. The street cars are
double-deckers, with the upper seats
open. Those who wish to climb the
steps and enjoy the air and view pay
smaller fee than the passengers who
ride on the lower level.
Few great cities are so fortunate
as Santiago in regard to their water
supplies. Sparkingly pure cold wa
ter from the high Andes is available
in abundance within few miles. The
city could grow to a community of
many millions without being faced
with any great difficulty about this
necessity for which some municipali-
ties have had to reach out hundreds
of miles. Through the city runs the
Mapocho river whose floods were once
a source of danger. Chilean engineers
have tanned the river, however. con-
fining 1t within concrete channel, and