The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-08-10
PARAGUAY PLANS USING GREAT
FORCES IN GRAN CHACO REGION
By GIDEON SEYMOUR
(By Associated ssresaI

BUEN0S AIRES, Aug. 10.-A
plan by Paraguay to place 100,-
600 Mennonites and Dakhobors
from Canada and Mexico in the
war-toFn Gran Chaeo region has
been revealed by advices from
Aseuncion, capital of that coun-
| try.
President Eusebio Ayala, the
adviees state, already has obtained
promises of cooperation from
Chaco landhelders, to whom he
indicated that an understanding
had been reached with spokesman
for the prospective colonists.
Depends Upon Wars End
The project depends upon con-
clusion of the Paraguayan-Boli-
Wan war, recently referred for
settlement to the combined good
offices of Argentina, Brazil, Chile
and Peru.
It also would require Para
guayan retention of the central
Chaco region as far westward as
the sixty-first parallel. Present
battle lines are about SO miles in
side that parallel, but Paraguyan
authorities are counting upon re-
gaining the territory essential to
their colonization program.
If the present fighting should
end inconclusively, simmering
down to such status as followed
the hostiIities of 1928, Paraguay
might press the scheme without
waiting for treaty fixing a
definite boundary. 1t regards
colonization as more conducive
than warfare to a final settlement
of the old quarrel.
Government Pays Fares
The financing of the mass
migration from another continent
and the placing of the farmers up
on thickly productive land offer
problems to which Paraguay also
is giving attention. The govern
ment intends to transport the i'm
migrants, and land owners have
agreed to sell to Paraguay, agri-
cultural holdings near the rs, 900
acre colony where 10000 Men
nonites have been settled since
1927.
To bring 100000 new colonists
into the Chaco would take ten
years, it issestimated, but it would
treble the white population. Para
quay already obtains from the
Chaco about half of the govern
ment revenues.
Mineral Riches Lacking
The new settlers would be ex-
empt. as are the present Men,
MONTE colonists, from compulsory
military service, to which they OBJ
ject on religious grounds. They
would govern and police their own
communities.
Paraguay regards the future of
the Chaco as lying essentially in
agriculture and livestock, despite
the impression that the region is
potentially rich in ore and oil.
Biologists have reported there
IS no more reason to expect
petroleum or minerals under the
rich red loan of the Chaco than
beneath the soil of southernmost
Brazil. of which geologically it is
a continuation.
Dislike War Notes
Dissatisfaction among some
Chaco Mennonites. which came to
ia head seven months ago in a
threat to migrate to Uruguay or
southern Brazil. has died down.
Those who favored removal.
because of the war and the in
adaptability of the land to wheat
and cotton. were reminded that
the average colonist had done
well. The weaithiest OF those who
came in 1927 is reputed to shave
banked $4,000. -"
Lately there has been some
TFnmbiing Mt the Paraguyan
army's eonfiscation Of livestock
and produce from Chaco farm
steads upon promissorv notes
which have no negotiable value.
but this is not confined to the
Mennonites. President Ayala has
promised that the satisfaction of
these debts win be the first con-
Germ of the government when hos