Evening star., 1955-02-06
Lotin Lifeline
New Rood-Roi Link Across South America
Will Open Continents Heart to the World
By William Columbus Davis

The Presidents Of Brazil and Bo-
Ivia went recently for short ride
on q train.
Nothing remarkable about their
trip-except that 1t marked the COM
pletion Of the final link in 2,30O-
mile railway highway chain from
Santos on the Brazilian Atlantic
coast to the Pacific port of africa
in Northern Chile.
Completion of this newest and
longest transcontinenta system in
South America marks the beginning
OF a new era for hitherto neglected
part Of the continent. Hailed as
an event Of great economic i'm
portance in land-locked Bolivia as
well as big Brazil, it should likewise
prove politically significant to both
Of them. Often overlooked is its po-
tential influence on the international
relations Of these two countries and
their neighbors, Argentina and Para
quay.
The little city Of Santa Cruz (pop-
ulation 10000. where the two Presi-
dents met, is the hub of Bolivia's
eastern lowlandS. 1t lies in region
of rich agricultural lands, adjacent
to what is believed to be one of the
worlds largest undeveloped deposits
OF oil. Santa Cruz until recently
led very isolated existence. For
practical purposes, the air was its
only link with the world. But
few years ago the little city became
the focal point toward which a
good highway and two rail lines
began creeping. Bolivians now pre-
dict a great boom for the entire
area and refer to Santa Cruz as
their. future industrial center.
Rood From Highlands
In 1943 construction was started
on an all-weather road leading down
from Cochabamba, Bolivia's second
city, located in the highlands over
300 miles away. After lengthy in
terruptions and several loans from
the Export Import Bank, this high
way was finished last June. Prior
to its completion. anywhere from
four days to four weeks were required
to negotiate the tortuous route be-
tween these two points. Trucks now
cover the distance in Is hours.
For several years, both Brazil and
Argentina have been pushing their
rails toward Santa Cruz. In this
race to tap the rich resources of
Eastern Bolivia, Brazil has gained
a temporary advantage. The rail-
road from Corumba was built under
pact whereby Brazil agreed to pay
construction costs and is to be
compensated in petroleum from
Bolivia. Completion of the line
has already led to an additional
agreement giving Brazil more oil in
exchange for cotton, hides and
other products. For a country
which spends over $40 million of
its limited foreign exchange each
month to import oil, this promises
to be a profitable arrangement.
Thus the railroad is bringing bene-
fcial economic ties to two countries
which in spite of their long common
boundry, have been isolated from
each other.
Pipelines now connect Argentina
with oil fields in the extreme South
of Bolivia, and others are being con-
structed. The railroad which is
approaching Santa Cruz from the
south is still a considerable distance
from its goal. Nevertheless, there
has already appeared an intense
rivalry between Brazil and Argentina
for concessions and influence in this
area.
A Borren lond
Most of Bolivia's 3.5 million people
live in the western third of the
country at attitudes ranging from
5000 to $4,000 feet. Although rich
in minerals. much of it is cold,
barren region unsuitable for agri-