Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-02-25
Needed to Panama


A CURRENT survey of Latin American trade by Mr..
y R c. Hurlbut of the San Francisco Chamber of Com
mere dscloses the emphasis the has put upon the
need for rail and highway communications between the
. United States and the Panama Canal Zone.
Enemy operations both the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans have already driven Central American commerce
10 the land routes much as this is possible
But the unfortunate fact is that the available land
routes are only inadequate far as they 60 but do
not all in important segments of the vital region
As Mr. Hurlbut points out, traffic now moves across
Mexico BY rail At the Guatemalan border it must be
trucked across bridge transferred to rails again and
thence to Savadorean port where lighters or coastwise
vessels must be utilized to reach Honduras.
Not before 1915 says Mr.. Hurlbut, is there any
prospect that American goods may be delivered by rail
in every country between the United States and Panama
The quicker get all-raI connection to the
Panama Canal" he saws 1.-The better of will all he in
every meaning of the word The republic of Mexico alone
produce the steel for this without taking any
thing from the present war effort
WYE HAVE marvcled at the supposed backwardness of
w the Chinese in relying upon the vulnerable Burma
road as a military and economic lifeline
But the Chinese at least BUILT the Burma road.
We enlightened Americans have neither highway
rail line OUR vital line of life which the Panama
Canal most certainly represents
AS war measure these essential land routes trav-
ersing Central America should certainly be developed
1t has surely been demonstrated that they are mill
tsry necessities.
But they have an Importance which will outlast the
fact Will increase when peace is restored.
Mr. Hurbut stresses this fact as follows:
"Our rail connections to Panama be continued In
the fulness of time south. with the possibility Of
BuenOs Aires or Nadivia, Chile. southern terminal.
THE motorized highway will parallel the rail effort
without doubt and will prove that the motorized highway
Is today the necessary complement of the railroad
THE residents Of the tropical countries between the
United States and Panama going to great expan-
sion in many fields of endeavor notably In rubber produc-
tion hemp growing and the general field of mining of
essential minerals.
Every Central American country is very rich in
natural resources and with all due respect to
borne transportation. the fact remains that rail- motor
and air transportation will be deciding factor in the
forward movement definitely under way
THE American government would be in far
favorable position to conduct the present if these
advantageous and useful highway and rail installations
available
But since they not available now, they should
be completed possble-not simply TO nipple
ment the effort which is important; but to make
the ultimate peace prosperous and profitable for all the
American nations.
The untapped resources and wealth Of the Americas
almost unmaginabe and past neglect of them has
been unconscionable.
We have the golden opportunity here to conduct
vital operation, and at the time put firm
economic foundation under the ensuing peace.