Venezuela, an economic report
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Title: Venezuela, an economic report
Author: Georgetown University. School of Foreign Service
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Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VENEZUELA, AN ECONOMIC REPORT ***
[Illustration: VENEZUELAN AND GEORGETOWN STUDENTS FRATERNIZING AT THE
FOOT OF STATUE OF SIMÓN BOLÍVAR
_Frontispiece_]
SERIES II
BULLETIN NO. 1
Georgetown University
SCHOOL OF
FOREIGN SERVICE
[Illustration]
VENEZUELA
AN ECONOMIC REPORT PRESENTED BY STUDENTS
OF THE SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE
AS AN AID TO THE FOREIGN TRADE
OF THE UNITED STATES
PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, D. C.
APRIL, 1921
THIS REPORT
THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS OF THE COMMERCIAL
AREAS OF THE WORLD TO BE CONDUCTED AS AIDS TO
AMERICAN OVERSEAS COMMERCE
BY
STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE
~Is Dedicated~
TO
~Señor Doctor Esteban Gíl Borges~
MINISTER OF FOREIGN RELATIONS OF
VENEZUELA
UPON WHOM AS REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE
OF
THE LAND OF BOLÍVAR
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY WILL CONFER
WITH FELICITATIONS
THE HONORARY DEGREE OF
~Doctor of Laws~
ON APRIL TWENTY-SIXTH
NINETEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONE
Digitized for Microsoft Corporation
by the Internet Archive in 2007.
From University of California Libraries.
May be used for non-commercial, personal, research,
or educational purposes, or any fair use.
May not be indexed in a commercial service.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PAGE
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL OF REGENT OF SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE TO
PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY 11
REPORT OF DR. SHERWELL, HEAD OF GEORGETOWN MISSION TO VENEZUELA 13
Personnel of Group 13
Program of Studies 14
Departure from New York 14
Reception by University of Caracas 14
Message of Georgetown University 15
Reply of University of Caracas 19
Reception at Military Academy 21
Tour of Northern Venezuela 23
Recitation and Research Work 26
Final Lecture 26
Departure for the United States 28
Acknowledgment of Courtesies 29
PART II
STUDENT REPORTS
ECONOMIC HISTORY OF VENEZUELA 31
Geographical 31
Political 32
Banks and Currency 33
Aids to Economic Development 34
Government 35
Prospective 36
POPULATION, IMMIGRATION, EDUCATION 37
Census Reports 37
Most Thickly Populated Districts 38
Need of Immigrants 39
Inducements to Immigrants 40
Educational Facilities 41
PORTS OF VENEZUELA 46
Coast Line 46
Major Ports 47
Minor Ports 48
Special Port Activities 49
Port of La Guaira 50
Pilotage and Towage 52
Lighterage and Cartage 52
Stevedoring 52
Port Charges 53
Wharves and Warehouses 53
Documents 54
OCEAN, CABLE AND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS 55
Shipping Communication 55
Number of Ships Entering each Port 57
Nationalities of Ships Entering same Ports 58
Steamship Lines 60
Red "D" Line 62
Cable Communication 63
Wireless Communication 64
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES 65
New National Highways 66
Equipment and Care of Highways 67
Automobiles in Venezuela 67
Venezuelan Railroads 68
Waterways of Venezuela 71
AGRICULTURE IN VENEZUELA 73
Agricultural Zone 73
Products 73
Coffee 74
Cacao 74
Tobacco 75
India Rubber 77
Sugar Cane 78
Wheat 80
Cotton 80
Tonka Beans 81
Vanilla 82
Cocoanuts 82
Indian Corn 83
Beans 83
Indigo 83
Capital Invested in Agriculture 84
Forest Zone 85
CATTLE INDUSTRY OF VENEZUELA 87
Number of Cattle 88
Other Live Stock 88
Exports of Pastoral Zone 89
Facilities for Cattle Raising 90
Obstacles to Cattle Raising 92
Recent Developments 93
Centers of Animal Industry 93
Dairy and Canning Plants 93
Price of Land 95
Desirable Regions 95
British Investments 96
MINERAL RESOURCES OF VENEZUELA 97
Land Surface of Venezuela 97
Rocks 97
Gold 98
Copper 99
Iron 99
Coal 100
Salt 100
Summary of Ores Mined in Recent Years 102
PETROLEUM AND ASPHALT IN VENEZUELA 102
History of Petroleum 103
Mining Law of 1905 103
New Code of 1909 104
First Development of Petroleum Fields 104
Mining Law of 1918 104
Contracts Awarded 105
Opportunities for Development of Petroleum Industry 107
Petroleum Exported 108
Description of Asphalt 108
Occurrence of Asphalt 109
Asphalt Industry 110
CHECKS, DRAFTS, BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND TRADE ACCEPTANCES IN
VENEZUELA 110
Function of Credit 110
Extent of Check System in Venezuela 111
Clearing of Checks 112
Laws regarding Commercial Paper 112
Drafts and Bills of Exchange 113
Long and Short Time Credit 113
Foreign Drafts 114
Definition of Trade Acceptance 115
Extension of Usage of Trade Acceptances 116
COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS IN VENEZUELA 117
Importance 117
Climatic Conditions in Venezuela 117
Customs Duties on Samples 118
Catalogues 118
Knowledge of Language and Customs of Venezuela 119
Climate of Various Cities 120
Market for Various Products 120
Complaints Against American Methods of Packing 120
Roads and Highways in Venezuela 121
Tables of Distances Between Principal Cities 121
Freight Charges 126
Financial Conditions 126
Currency 127
Venezuela's Tariff 127
Opportunity for American Travelers 128
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS AND AMERICAN CAPITAL IN VENEZUELA 129
Venezuela's Public Debt 129
Foreign Banks 130
Public Utilities 131
Other Investments 131
Investment Opportunities 132
Proposed Railroads 133
FOREIGN TRADE AND AMERICAN GOODS 137
Foreign Trade in Venezuela 137
Effects of the World War 138
Imports and Exports 139
Summary of Venezuelan Foreign Trade--1917-1919 140
Market for American Goods 141
Complaints Regarding Packing 141
American Selling Methods 142
German Competition 142
Customs Collections 143
American Personnel in Venezuela 144
APPENDIX
CLOSING LECTURE IN SCHOOL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE BY DR. PEDRO ITRIAGO
CHACÍN 145
EDITORIAL COMMENT BY AMERICAN AND VENEZUELAN JOURNALS 156
Good Trade Ambassadors, _N. Y. Post Express, August 11, 1920_ 156
Student Fraternization, _El Nuevo Diario, Caracas,
June 20, 1920_ 156
Llegada de los Estudiantes Americanos, _El Nuevo Diario,
June 27, 1920_ 158
El Profesor Sherwell, _El Universal, June 27, 1920_ 159
Dr. Sherwell Arrives, etc., _La Prensa, New York,
August 26, 1920_ 161
Georgetown Students Welcomed in Venezuela, _Sunday Star,
Washington, July, 1920_ 163
El Match de Base-ball, _El Imparcial, July 18, 1920_ 164
ILLUSTRATIONS
At the foot of Bolívar's Statue _Frontispiece_
FACING PAGE
Salutation--Georgetown to University of Caracas 16
Reply of University of Caracas to Georgetown 20
Map of Venezuela 24
Dr. Sherwell and Georgetown Students 31
Rancho Grande and Ocumare de la Costa 49
Bolívar's Home in the Mountains. On the Road from Maracay to
Caracas 65
At Central Tacarigua. At foot of Statue of Ribas 97
Ceremonies in honor of Bolívar and Washington 133
Trophy presented to Georgetown Students by Minister of Public
Instruction 165
REPORT OF THE REGENT OF THE SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE TO THE
PRESIDENT OF GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, WITH RESPECT TO THE VISIT
OF CERTAIN STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY TO VENEZUELA.
* * * * *
OFFICE OF THE REGENT
SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, D. C.
March 1, 1921.
_To the President of Georgetown University._
_Sir:_
I hand you herewith papers relating to the visit to Venezuela made by a
group of eighteen students in the summer of 1920. These papers comprise
a brief report of the trip, by Dr. G. A. Sherwell, who was in charge of
the mission, some of the essays on the economic resources of Venezuela,
prepared by the students, and, in the appendix, a translation of a
notable address delivered by Dr. Itriago Chacín at the close of the
Georgetown students' sojourn in Caracas, together with editorial
comments from certain journals of this country and Venezuela. I venture
to refer briefly to each of these documents.
Dr. Sherwell's report makes clear how great was the courtesy shown and
how extensive were the facilities afforded to the Georgetown students
by the official and academic authorities of Venezuela. I believe the
University, and for that matter academic circles outside our own
University in this country, must be grateful for the many attentions
and unfailing interest manifested by the Venezuelan officials and
teachers in the work of these students.
Dr. Sherwell's report likewise makes clear that the contact was a
valuable one for the particular students who made the trip, and that
they bore themselves well and creditably. All the more satisfaction may
be derived from this fact inasmuch as the students selected might be
fairly taken as a cross section of the student body in the School of
Foreign Service,--and you are already aware how widely representative
of the youth of our country that student body is. That these young
men should have made a favorable impression in a rather long trip of
this character when they were under the observation of a great number
of persons, and often in situations calling for a demonstration of
no inconsiderable poise and sense of the fitness of things, can not
but enhance our satisfaction and our confidence not merely in the
resourcefulness but in the trustworthiness of the men upon whom this
country must depend in the future for the promotion of her trade and
the dignified and active representation of her policies.
The address of Dr. Itriago Chacín has been reproduced in full,--in
so far as a translation can ever render the full effect of an
original,--and it is, quite apart from its intrinsic merit, a document
of much interest, for it shows how profitable and enlightening must be
the studies in the field of political science carried on by students
sent out in groups under conditions described in this report. Studies
in the field of Political Science are not, to be sure, the primary
object of students going abroad to survey the economic resources,
the commercial usages, and the facilities for transportation and
distribution of commodities in the countries which they visit. None the
less, sustained contact with trained masters of political studies may
at times be possible, and should in all cases be availed of in order to
gain the valuable experience of hearing points of view on matters of
international policy developed in other countries and under conditions
quite different from those obtaining at home.
Space forbids that more than thirteen of the reports prepared by
the students be published. Those selected are believed to have the
more general interest and to contain material not easily found in
other sources. All of them were based upon personal investigation
and consultation with Venezuelan authorities. Obviously, there are
evidences of hasty preparation and the papers leave something to be
desired in the arrangement and presentation of material, the collation
of figures, and the critical discussion of printed sources. In places,
too, there are statements which might require modification if a more
mature person were to assume responsibility for the given report. They
are submitted solely as the work of students in process of formation.
It is of interest to call attention to the fact that this visit to
Venezuela was the source of much favorable comment in the press of
the two countries, several papers in the United States dwelling upon
its significance as the first formal effort to place our own students
directly in contact with the life of the other Republics. Specimens are
included in the Appendix.
Dr. Sherwell has referred to the bestowal of a decoration on him by the
Venezuelan Government, and has minimized its personal significance.
This reservation of his I transmit with amendments, for I can not but
share the views of the Venezuelan authorities in granting him first,
the Medal of Public Instruction and later the Order of the Liberator,
that he had rendered Venezuela a lasting service, no less than his
own country, by his dignified, gracious, and enthusiastic interest in
the promotion of the intellectual and commercial relations of the two
republics.
The immense practical value of laboratory work in the physical sciences
is among the cardinal tenets of sound pedagogy. In like manner, the
application of economic principles and theories of political science
to actual conditions as they exist in the world to-day is the ideal
feature of a liberal education for foreign service such as this
department undertakes to provide. Perhaps in no other educational
program should more pains be taken to cultivate the faculty of accurate
observation, exact expression and bold initiative, based on logical
reasoning aided by fertile imagination.
Proficiency in the technique of foreign trade or consular practice or
diplomatic procedure is but a fractional part of the full equipment
of American youths aspiring to serve their country's interests
abroad either in public or private capacity. Technical knowledge
will be futile unless humanized by a broad sympathy with the men and
institutions of other climes. Therefore, the policy of sending such
groups of students abroad deserves encouragement, and I earnestly
recommend that the Regent of the School of Foreign Service be
authorized, on the basis of the substantial success of this first
experimental visit, to send such students as it is possible to select
and send under competent direction, to other countries in the summer of
the present year and hereafter.
Respectfully, EDMUND A. WALSH, S. J.,
_Regent_.
To
JOHN B. CREEDEN, S. J., PH. D.,
_President of Georgetown University_,
_Washington, D. C._
PART I
REPORT OF DR. GUILLERMO A. SHERWELL
_Professor of Spanish_
TO THE REGENT OF THE SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE
_Sir:_
In order to afford the students of the School of Foreign Service an
opportunity to practise Spanish and to study at first hand economic
conditions in one of the South American countries, it was decided in
May, 1920, to send a group of not more than twenty to Venezuela under
the direction of the Professor of Spanish. The Knights of Columbus
agreed to pay for the expenses of twelve of the students, who were
holders of scholarships awarded by that organization to ex-service
men, and six other candidates offered to pay their own expenses.
Consequently, a group of eighteen was selected in accordance with the
following conditions laid down by the University authorities: (1)
That the student's mark in Spanish had not been less than 70% and (2)
That he had not failed in any other subject of the Foreign Service
curriculum. The students chosen were:
PAUL BABBITT, Arizona
J. HOMER BUTLER, Massachusetts
FRANK CHIRIELEISON, District of Columbia
JAMES F. COSTELLO, Wisconsin
WALTER J. DONNELLY, Connecticut
EDWARD FANNING, New York
WILLARD C. FRAZEE, Ohio
MATTHEW HEILER, Massachusetts
NELSON HOPKINS, New Jersey
WILLIAM JOHNSON, District of Columbia
GEORGE E. MCKENNA, Massachusetts
THOMAS MORRIS, New York
EDWARD L. MURPHY, Pennsylvania
JAMES J. O'NEIL, Massachusetts
JOSEPH P. QUINLAN, Massachusetts
DAVID SCHLESINGER, Iowa
PHILIP D. SULLIVAN, Massachusetts
GEORGE A. TOWNSEND, Maryland
It was provided that the students should have, each day, an academic
hour of formal Spanish instruction while in South America, that they
should be distributed among private families where they might have
frequent opportunity to practise Spanish and that they should devote
a second academic hour each day to recitation and discussion of the
economic and financial conditions of Venezuela. Individual research
work on economic topics was likewise required. The results of each
student's investigations were to be discussed in class so that each
student might profit by his fellow-students' labors, each man having
one topic on which to report. This program was carried out as it had
been planned. The topics, distributed by lot during the sea voyage,
were as follows:
Economic history of Venezuela.
Agricultural and forestal resources of Venezuela.
Cattle industry in Venezuela.
Coffee industry in Venezuela.
Sugar industry in Venezuela.
Mineral oil industry in Venezuela.
Mineral resources of Venezuela.
Ports of Venezuela.
Commercial travelers in Venezuela.
Venezuela as a field for the investment of foreign capital. Present
foreign investments.
Banking and currency in Venezuela. History and present status.
Venezuelan foreign trade. American goods in Venezuela.
Bills of exchange, checks, and trade acceptances in Venezuela.
Steamer and cable communications with Venezuela.
Taxation and budget in Venezuela.
Venezuelan public debt.
Population, immigration, and public education in Venezuela.
On June 16, 1920, the group sailed from New York on the Red "D" Line
Steamship _Caracas_. Several representatives of the press came on board
together with friends and alumni of Georgetown to bid Godspeed to the
first missionaries of friendship sent by an American university to
South America.
On June 26th the group arrived at La Guaira, the port nearest the
capital of the country, and was received by personal representatives
of the Secretaries of Foreign Relations, of the Treasury and of Public
Instruction, as well as by a very distinguished group of students
of the different schools of Caracas, headed by their President, Mr.
Atilano Carnevali. After lunching at a beach called Macuto, the group
was taken in automobiles to Caracas and escorted to their lodgings
where two students were placed in each house.
On Monday, June 28th, the message, in Latin, from the University of
Georgetown, engraved on parchment and addressed to the Universidad
Central de Caracas, was delivered to the Venezuelan authorities in the
beautiful auditorium of that University.
The President of the Council, a body which exercises supervision of
the University studies and is the supreme examining tribunal for the
conferring of diplomas, announced in brief words the object of the
meeting and invited us in the following words, to present the message
of the University of Georgetown:
"Gentlemen of the National Council of Instruction and Members
of the National Commissions; President and Members of the
Schools of Physical, Medical, Mathematical and Political
Sciences of the City of Caracas; Representatives of the
Academies and other Institutions of University Extension;
Students, Ladies and Gentlemen:
"We have assembled to receive the visit of illustrious guests
who bring a noble and generous message from the University
of Georgetown; they come at a time propitious for American
patriotism and they are going to spend here the month in which
we celebrate the date of the independence of our countries. It
will be a pleasure for the Venezuelans to do as much as lies
in their power to the end that such distinguished guests carry
back to their country the most agreeable impressions. You are
about to hear the message from the University of Georgetown.
Prof. Sherwell will now address you."
The message follows.
_The
President and Faculties of the
University of Georgetown
to
The President and Faculties of
the
Central University of Caracas,_
_Greetings:_
"_We avail ourselves of a mission made with an educational
object by one of our professors and a group of our students to
send to you and to the students of your University fraternal
expressions of affection and comradeship from the University of
Georgetown._
"_The University of Georgetown has developed at the same time
that this nation has advanced into its proper life. She has
witnessed its struggles for liberty, its efforts to acquire
constitutional life, the bloody conflict which was necessary
to preserve the union and the last tremendous war into which
it entered in order to preserve inviolate the sacred heritage
of liberty which our ancestors have handed down to us._
_"To each one of these conflicts the University of Georgetown
has given liberally of its blood, and she preserves sacred the
names of those who carried the banner of the Blue and Gray
whithersoever the banner of the Stars and Stripes led them._
_"Identified with the country of Washington since the days of
Washington, this University believes itself worthy to regard
itself as a sister of the University of the country of Bolívar,
and in extending its hand to clasp the hand of its sister, the
University of Georgetown presents to the University of Caracas
her sincere wishes that the friendship of the two institutions
may endure and be as profound as was the friendship of the two
liberators for the whole American continent, and as sincere as
is the friendship which exists between the United States of
North America and the United States of Venezuela. Assuredly
there is no stronger bond among men than the pure love of
liberty and truth. In this common devotion, racial differences
are forgotten and party strife ceases. When Truth and Liberty
speak, all else is silent._
_Farewell._
JOHN B. CREEDEN, S. J., PH. D.,
_Rector of the University_.
WILLIAM COLEMAN NEVILS, S. J., PH. D.,
_Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences_.
THOMAS I. GASSON, S. J., PH. D.,
_Dean, Graduate School_.
BRUCE L. TAYLOR, D. D. S.,
_Dean, Faculty of Dentistry_.
GEORGE MARTIN KOBER, M. D., LL. D.,
_Dean, Faculty of Medicine_.
GEORGE E. HAMILTON, LL. D.,
_Dean, Faculty of Law_.
EDMUND A. WALSH, S. J., PH. D.,
_Regent, School of Foreign Service_.
[Illustration]
Given at Washington, on the Ides of June, in the year of our
Salvation One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty."
[Illustration: SALUTATION--GEORGETOWN TO UNIVERSITY OF CARACAS]
After delivering in Spanish the formal message from the University of
Georgetown to the Universidad Central de Caracas your representative
added the following words:
"The students of the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown
University are very sensible of the honor conferred upon
them by this reception in the Assembly Hall of the Central
University of Caracas, and especially appreciative of the
courtesy shown by this distinguished assembly of selected
social and educational elements of this capital.
"The students of the School of Foreign Service have been sent
to this wonderful country of yours to practise the beautiful
Spanish language, to study the economic and financial life of
Venezuela, and to live among you your own life and observe your
own customs. They come to you with minds set to their work and
with hearts open to all impressions which may come from the
outside world. Most of them have passed through the harrowing
experiences of the World War. They crossed the seas to the
European battle fields to defend the cause of liberty for which
America stands, and now, upon returning to the activities of
civil life, they are preparing themselves for a better service
to their country by improving their minds, with the ultimate
purpose of promoting the foreign trade of the United States.
They have much to learn, and you have much to teach them.
They are in your hands, and I am sure that the University of
Georgetown could never hope to provide better instructors for
students of Latin American affairs.
"We have journied hither with only the general knowledge of
this country acquired in our schools, but since our arrival at
La Guaira, we have passed through experiences which have left
our spirits fatigued, if this expression may be permitted,
with the constant spectacle of grandeur and majesty never
dreamed of before. As we climbed your lofty mountains, which
form a great barrier between the heart of your country and
the outside world, we were continually passing from one deep
impression to another, and at the same time were arriving at
a clearer understanding of the character of your people. We
saw the humble laborers of the field stand erect as we passed
and show that noble type of manhood which has been observable
in all the men we have met in this country. And when we gazed
upon the mountains and the huge abysses which abound in this
part of the American continent, we ceased to wonder at the
marvelous deeds of your famous warriors in your struggle for
independence. Backed by men accustomed to fight and conquer a
land of mountains and valleys like your mountains and valleys,
a chieftain might well dare to range over a continent fighting
for the freedom of his own country and offering freedom to
neighboring peoples. Bolívar and the Venezuelans seem in some
respects identical with this territory. Their characters
suggest mountains.
"We shall learn more and more of you during our stay, and I
hope you will know us well enough to consider us your sincere
and permanent friends.
"To the young men who study in this University I must say a
few words, yielding to the old tendency of men accustomed to
speak from the chair or the platform of the classroom. It would
seem that every teacher should have a message to deliver to
the youth of his country, or to those of any other country
of the world. My message to you is this: We must use every
endeavor in scientific research to extract from nature all that
nature has for the benefit of mankind, in order to destroy
such evil forces as still molest human beings, to improve our
standards of life, to advance upwards to higher levels in
thinking and in acting. To accomplish this, we need clear,
practical and investigating minds. But beware of the fallacies
entertained by those who contend that the mind of man can
encompass and explain all truths, and that whatever can not be
fully explained by the mind or demonstrated according to the
limited means that science may offer is not truth. There are
some things above human reason, and to understand them and to
explain them we must invoke more than our minds. We must bring
to them the best of our hearts. Those great truths that are
beyond actual scientific demonstration are not lesser truths,
but greater truths. It is not permissible to live indifferent
to good and bad as some so-called philosophers pretend, but it
is permissible, and it is our solemn duty in many instances, to
look beyond science, because there are summits which science
does not reach, and to attain which we must fly with the wings
of our hearts. The supreme spiritual conceptions of God, of
Home, of Country do not fall within the range of the physical
sciences, but are, nevertheless, the great, fundamental truths
upon which everything noble and everything lofty must rest.
"We thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for opening your doors to
us in such a frank and cordial manner, and we hope to prove
during our stay in this country that we are not unworthy of
such friendship."
The Minister of Public Instruction, Dr. González Rincones, then
read the reply of the University of Caracas and later forwarded the
engrossed manuscript to Washington:
_The President of the Council of Instruction
and the
Faculties of the University of Caracas
to the
President and Faculties
of the
University of Georgetown,
Washington, D. C._,
_Greetings:_
_"We appreciate profoundly your message of friendship, and we
see with pleasure under the roof of the University of Caracas
your distinguished professor and this chosen group of your
students._
_"The fraternal expressions of affection and comradeship which
the President and Faculties of the University of Georgetown
send us have entered into the hearts of our professors and
students, and have found there a most cordial welcome. Your
travelers will be able to tell you how great has been the
enthusiasm which your visit has awakened, a visit which does
not come from a house unknown to us, since besides holding
in our memory the scientific renown which the University of
Georgetown deservedly enjoys, and the marks of glory of which
she boasts, we remember with that fondness which we owe to
all that proceeds from the Father of our Country, the special
recommendation which he made that Fernando Bolívar be educated
in the celebrated and ancient College of Georgetown, which we
see to-day converted into a great University._
_"Venezuelan students have distinguished themselves always by
love of liberty, and have sacrificed themselves with Ribas in
the holy struggle for our independence. With equal love they
venerate Science and Liberty. It is not strange, then, that
they are full of joy in receiving envoys of a University which,
on the banks of the Potomac and near the tomb of Washington,
holds always aloft the ideals which the liberators of the North
and of the South loved with passionate devotion._
_"The professors and students of the country of Bolívar clasp
cordially the hand which the University of Georgetown extends
to them, and will deem it a signal honor to cultivate the
friendship which tradition has originated and which the visit
of your professor and your students will contribute powerfully
to cement."_
_Given in the City of Caracas, the fourth day before the
Kalends of July in the year of our Salvation, One Thousand,
Nine Hundred and Twenty._
_Farewell._
_President of the Council of National Instruction_,
R. GONZÁLEZ RINCONES.
_The President of the Commission of Theology_,
NICOLÁS E. NAVARRO.
_The President of the Commission of Political Sciences_,
CARLOS F. GRISANTI.
_The President of the Commission of Medicine_,
LUIS RAZETTI.
_The President of the Commission of Physics, Mathematics,
and Natural Sciences_,
GERMÁN JIMÉNEZ.
_The President of the Commission of Philosophy and Letters_,
R. VILLAVICENCIO.
_The President of the Commission of Political Sciences_,
JOSÉ SANTIAGO RODRÍGUEZ.
_The President of the Faculty of Medicine_,
LUIS FELIPE BLANCO.
_The President of the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and
Natural Sciences_,
LUIS UGUETO.
_Secretary of the Council of Instruction_,
EDUARDO CALCAÑO SZ.
[Illustration]
* * * * *
Beginning Tuesday, June 29th, regular lectures in Spanish and economics
were held in a splendid room in the National Library of Venezuela
placed at the disposal of our group. The Director of the Library, Dr.
Manuel Segundo Sánchez, very graciously and with considerable pains
furnished the students with all books, documents, and information they
required, and during our entire stay in Caracas did all in his power
to make us comfortable and render our work successful. Dr. Sánchez
deserves the gratitude of the University.
The Minister of Public Instruction, Dr. Rafael González Rincones,
kindly gave the students letters of introduction to the persons in
charge of the different government offices who were in a position to
furnish them the most accurate information on the assigned topics.
Furthermore, all offices were thrown open to the Georgetown students,
and all the public officials placed themselves at their disposal
whenever they went to them in search of information or help.
[Illustration: REPLY OF UNIVERSITY OF CARACAS TO GEORGETOWN]
The work of the students was supplemented by several entertainments,
such as a luncheon given by the students of the Venezuela in the
Normal School; a reception tendered by the Seminary of Caracas, with
the attendance of the Archbishop and the Nuncio; a theatrical function
in the National Theatre; a picnic in a grove called Los Chorros; a
visit to an industrial exhibition where they learned of the remarkable
progress made by that country in recent years; and finally a concert
and theatrical performance by the College of San Francisco de Sales,
at which the "Star Spangled Banner" was sung by the students and the
United States flag and the Georgetown colors were displayed together
with the Venezuelan flag.
On one occasion the Federation of Students held a reception at the
School of Political Sciences in honor of the Georgetown students.
Addresses were delivered by the president of the Federation and
by your representative, who took occasion to describe some of the
characteristics of student life in the United States, which could not
but be of interest to students in other countries, terminating his
remarks with the expression of a sincere wish for closer relations
between the students of the University of Caracas and those of
Georgetown.
The College of San Francisco de Sales from the first day opened its
doors to the students of Georgetown, who found there a real home,
and they certainly used it to their best advantage, playing tennis,
baseball, and mingling freely with the students and the persons in
charge of that institution. The Reverend Jerónimo Gordini, Director
of the College, Dom Pardo and other professors of the establishment
deserve the gratitude of our University.
The authorities of the Military Academy of Venezuela, realizing that
most of the Georgetown students who were visiting that country had
seen service in the United States Army, tendered them a reception on
the Fourth of July, at which many distinguished ladies and gentlemen
of Caracas were present. The cadets gave an exhibition drill, after
which tea was served in the large hall of the Academy, which had been
beautifully decorated with flowers in combinations representing the
colors of the United States and Venezuela. The Director of the Academy
addressed the Georgetown men, welcoming them cordially; and your
representative answered in the following terms:
"Mr. Director, Officers and Students of The Military Academy,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
"The idea of country finds expression in certain symbols which,
powerfully impressed in the hearts of men, lead them to great
deeds, even to the sacrifice of their lives, for principles
radicated in their hearts and minds from childhood. Those
symbols are the flag, the national anthem and the army.
"The army is a country itself, converted into a weapon of
protection and defense, and is constituted not only of men
who form the ranks of the present, but also of the glorious
traditions of the men who have formed the ranks of days gone by.
"Armies are heirs to a rich legacy of honor, and in increasing
that legacy and leaving it to their successors, they bequeath
the noblest ideals of unsurpassed patriotism.
"Were we to institute a comparative study of the achievements
of the armies of the various countries of the world, we should
find that no one of them surpasses the Venezuelan army in
the glory of its traditions. You are the descendants and the
followers of those men who, under the guidance of Bolívar's
mighty genius, traversed this continent holding aloft the
flag of liberty, creating countries wherever they went, and
writing with their own blood the supreme epic of South American
independence. You students of this Academy are the hope of
your country. She trusts you as a fond mother trusts in the
love and protection of her vigorous growing sons. You have an
inheritance of which you may well be proud. This inheritance
imposes upon you a great responsibility. You are to increase
it, never to imperil it. You will never, I am confident,
tarnish the purity of Venezuela's glory by not exemplifying the
highest ideals of life or by not striving in every way for the
promotion of Venezuela's welfare.
"These young Americans who are here among you have been
soldiers, and with the fellowship of comrades they are here
in intimate communication with you, feeling a deep sense of
respect for the sons of a sister republic which their fathers
have long appreciated and loved. They extend the hand of
brotherhood and ask you to believe that their purposes are also
yours--the best service to their country and the preserving of
the sacred inheritance of honor handed down to them by their
forefathers.
"Wherever patriotism is alive, wherever there exist the same
inspiration and the same lofty purposes, comradeship is not a
mere formula, but a union of souls. We feel that we have seen
the very soul of Venezuela, and when we leave your hospitable
Academy we shall carry away with us a deep respect and
admiration for your country, for your institutions and for your
army."
On the Fourth of July wreaths were deposited on the tomb of Bolívar and
statue of Washington. Addresses were delivered on the latter occasion
by the president of the Students' Federation, Mr. Atilano Carnevali,
and at the former ceremony by your representative.
A most pleasant interruption in our work was a four-day automobile trip
which lasted from Sunday, July 11th, to Wednesday, July 14th, and which
was provided by the Minister of Public Instruction.
On Sunday morning all arose at about three o'clock, and after taking
coffee, we boarded automobiles in the Plaza Bolívar, from which point a
start was made at five o'clock. I shall not undertake to describe the
wonderful Venezuelan mountains and valleys. They must be seen to have
their grandeur appreciated. The automobile roads passing through the
valleys and over the mountains are as good as can be found anywhere in
this country, and it is a matter of great surprise that so few tourists
visit Venezuela, where the scenery has no superior in beauty, where
the climate is unsurpassed in mildness and healthfulness, the safety
of travelers is as secure as in the best streets of a well-policed
city, and where the comforts of traveling--at least by automobile--are
as great as could be found in the United States, not to mention the
extreme courtesy of the Venezuelans, a quality which is not shallow,
but comes from the heart and makes all foreigners feel very much at
home.
At 6:15 A. M. the group reached the little town of Los Teques enveloped
in a morning mist, the stillness broken by the ringing of the bells
of a little chapel, calling the faithful to worship. We left the
automobiles and entered the church, and had one of the most charming
experiences of our lives by attending the service in that quiet country
shrine.
About 8:30 A. M. we arrived at a place called Guayas, where we had
an excellent breakfast. From there we continued our trip through the
valley of Aragua, which lies to the west of the valley of Caracas.
The entire valley of Aragua is rich with memories of Bolívar and the
struggle for independence. There stands his old farm, San Mateo, made
sacred by the memories of Captain Ricaurte, who blew himself and an
hostile army to pieces rather than allow the ammunition of the patriots
to fall into the hands of their foes. There lies the town of La
Victoria, where the brave general Ribas defeated the royalists with the
aid of the students of the city of Caracas. Every plain, hill, brook
and forest seems to speak of Venezuela's epic fight for independence.
At 12:30 we stopped at a place called San Juan de Los Morros, where we
enjoyed a bath in the sulphur springs, had luncheon as the guests of
the Minister of Public Instruction, and had the pleasure of meeting
the president-elect, the provisional president, and several other high
officials of the Republic. From San Juan de Los Morros we continued to
Maracay, a city of about 15,000 inhabitants, where the president-elect,
who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, generally resides.
Leaving Maracay early Monday morning and crossing the mountain range
which divides the valley of Aragua from the seashore, we journied
to the port of Ocumare de la Costa. The road is a constant marvel.
Carved in the live rock of the mountain, it climbs from the lowland
surrounding Lake Valencia up to the clouds, and actually pierces the
clouds until a spot called Rancho Grande is attained. From there it
begins to descend towards the Caribbean Sea. On the south side of
the mountains the beautiful lake of Valencia can be seen, visible at
times in its complete extension, surrounded by forests, sugarcane
plantations and cattle farms. The hills to the south are covered with
coffee plantations. There several small rivers finish their courses.
Stretching down to the seashore may be seen numerous cocoa and rubber
plantations.
Ocumare de la Costa is a very fine natural port. There Miranda and
Bolívar landed with their troops to fight for independence, and at
it, too, ten young Americans landed to join the Independent Army of
Venezuela. All these youths were made prisoners by the Spaniards and
executed. We saw the two beautiful monuments erected to their memory,
one in Maracay and another in Puerto Cabello. Colonel Romero, Commander
of the Port, entertained us at luncheon.
[Illustration]
In the afternoon we drove back by the same road and had still time to
visit Las Delicias, where there is a good zoological museum containing,
among other animals, beautiful specimens of herons, which produce
the famous aigrettes. It is to be noted that there is in Venezuela
a very stringent law against the killing of herons or even against
the plucking of their feathers. The aigrettes are to be obtained
only in the places where the herons assemble and drop their feathers
naturally, at certain periods of the year. In view of these facts it
seems reasonable to suggest that our law prohibiting the importation of
aigrettes should make an exception of feathers coming from Venezuela.
After spending a second night in Maracay, we left on Tuesday for a trip
around Lake Valencia. We visited a cream and cheese factory where the
most modern machinery is used in multiplying the products of the dairy
industry. On our way we visited the town of Güigüe, where we were the
object of the most courteous attention from General Romero Galván, who
accompanied us to the great coffee plantation of El Trompillo, owned by
the Pimentel family, two members of which, Don Antonio and Don Manuel,
made our brief stay as pleasant as it was instructive.
From El Trompillo we proceeded to inspect a sugar plantation called
Tacarigua, where the overseer in charge of the machinery explained to
the students all the processes in the preparation of cane sugar. From
Tacarigua we continued to Valencia, where we arrived in the afternoon,
having had luncheon in a small town called Bucarito. Valencia has been
called the most beautiful of tropical cities and, indeed, it deserves
the distinction. From Valencia we continued around the lake until we
arrived again in Maracay, after having once more admired the beauty and
splendid condition of the Venezuelan automobile roads.
Our last night we spent in Maracay, and on Wednesday started back to
Caracas. The return trip was made more slowly to enable us to stop at
several historical places and hear the interesting explanations very
kindly given by Dr. Manuel Segundo Sánchez, Director of the National
Library, who was our kind and learned guide and friend throughout the
trip. At San Mateo, we stopped and took several pictures of the house
where Captain Ricaurte made the supreme sacrifice of his life for the
independence of Venezuela. In La Victoria we visited several places of
historic interest and had a picture taken of the statue of the heroic
general Ribas. In Guayas we remained for over an hour resting. Late in
the afternoon we arrived in Caracas delighted with our trip and warmly
grateful both to the Minister of Public Instruction, to whose kindness
we owed the valuable experience, and to Dr. Manuel Segundo Sánchez,
to whom we owed most of the profit and pleasure derived from the
expedition.
Recitations and research work continued as before until Thursday,
July 29th, when we had the last formal class. It would be of interest
to recount some of the minor activities of the members of the class
if time and space would permit. For instance, several students were
charged to keep a detailed and accurate thermometric and barometric
record in order to demonstrate the fact that Caracas has a clearer and
less oppressive climate in summer than any of the great cities of the
north Atlantic seaboard of the United States. On Friday, the 30th, a
written examination in Spanish was held from 9 to 11, and at 11 o'clock
the students proceeded to the School of Social Sciences where our
course was to terminate with a lecture delivered by Dr. Pedro Itriago
Chacín, head of the diplomatic service of the government, professor
of international law, and a well known internationalist of Venezuela.
In the appendix of this report appears a translation of Dr. Itriago's
address. At the close of the inspiring address of Dr. Itriago Chacín,
a student in his course, Don Pedro La-Riva Vale, briefly expressed
the sentiment of fraternal feelings of Venezuelan students for the
Georgetown students. Some sentences from his remarks are not unworthy
of quotation.
"Our satisfaction is greater when we turn our eyes to the pages
of our diplomatic history, for we can not forget, if we are
grateful, that North America, ever ready to foster noble ideas
of Freedom, has always encouraged those who aspire to Liberty,
with the same ardor which she inspired in the heart of her
legionaries in the crusade for her freedom.
"At the time of our emancipation, following her own indications
that Congress would duly receive the representatives of those
who fought constantly to give us a free country, the United
States on June 26, 1810, sent to the Supreme Council of
Caracas Mr. Lowry, in the capacity of financial agent, who
had the duties proper to a consular position although he was
not received in this capacity because it was not allowed by
the form of government existing at that time. In 1811, the
two Houses manifested their sympathy and interest for the
newly-born sovereignties; it was Democracy sanctioning the
conquests of Liberty. Later, Scott was made Agent of Supplies,
and Lowry, Consul in fact; and Congress voted credits to
establish legations, thus sanctioning our introduction into
the community of free countries. In 1824, commercial ties
were established which, strengthened day by day, are the
vital arteries giving force to the economic organism of our
nationalities.
"Monroe, when he defined in his celebrated doctrine our rights
to independence and formulated the prohibition to Europeans
against colonizing in the new world, sanctioned in the most
emphatic manner the highest achievement of American rights.
"America for Americans,"--without any spurious interpretation
such as some have given to it,--is the condensation of the
efforts of the champions of the freedom of America, of this,
our America, which has known how to defend its right amid
the vibrations of its tempestuous seas! Bolívar, breaking
the chains of slavery with an invincible sword, and Monroe,
establishing a new concept of right, understand each other.
Subsequently the Monroe doctrine was our shield in many
transcendental events of our international life. It was the
formidable weapon opposing the predatory ambition of England
in 1895, when Grover Cleveland valiantly forced her to submit
to arbitration her pretensions to the Venezuelan territory
near the border of British Guiana. It was also our support in
the incident brought about by Count Magliano, when he sought
to obtain pressure from his own government, as well as from
Germany, France and Belgium, on Venezuela. As for the coalition
between Italy, England and Germany, those sorrowful days are
not far distant, when our territory saw itself so seriously
threatened, until finally the opposing parties agreed to submit
their contention to the Supreme Tribunal of the Hague."
In answer to the stirring words of Dr. Itriago Chacín and Mr. La-Riva
Vale, your representative expressed genuine hope in the recovery and
substantial progress of the principles of international law based,
more than ever, squarely upon a thoroughly enlightened and responsive
public opinion. Democracy would, in the course of time, and perhaps
in a surprisingly reasonable brief time, come to contain a genuine
and significant meaning and guarantee of world peace. Perhaps at
present we are passing through reactions natural and inevitable after
the stupendous conflict from which we have just emerged, but those
who are able to measure the progress of culture on a larger scale
than the months and years, are not without great hope and substantial
confidence. He closed his remarks with the expression of sincere thanks
for the generous cooperation and sincere cordiality of the authorities
and students alike of the professional and academic world of Caracas.
On August 7th a reception was given at the School of Political Sciences
at which Dr. José Santiago Rodríguez, Director of the School, who
possesses a wide acquaintance with commercial and economic conditions
in the United States by reason of a careful survey of them made in the
interest of his Government, eloquently expressed the hope of closer
relations between the two countries, not merely with reference to
commerce and investment, but between the youth of both lands and on as
profoundly spiritual plan as possible.
Enthusiastic assurances of the sentiments of cordial solidarity towards
North America animating the sentiments of Venezuela was voiced by
a student of the School of Political Science, Don Aníbal Villasmil
Gabaldón. Again it was the pleasant duty of your representative to
express the appreciation of the students for all the courtesies and
sincere manifestations of friendship showered upon them, and to renew
the expression of confidence that the work of the University of Caracas
would go far in the firm and enduring upbuilding of an enlightened
public opinion, which would be regarded by the students of North
America as of the greatest service to mankind.
On Saturday, July 31st, two of our students left Caracas for the United
States. On Tuesday, August 3rd, six more students left, and on Monday,
August 9th, the rest of the students and your representative embarked
for New York. The steamer stopped for thirty-six hours at Puerto
Cabello, for some hours at Curazao, and for twenty-four hours at San
Juan de Puerto Rico. On Friday, August 20th, we landed in New York,
and thus came to an end the first university field work in economics
directed towards the expansion of American foreign trade.
During our stay in Caracas, the physical welfare of the students was
not neglected and consequently there were no serious cases of illness.
The change of food occasioned some minor ailments but no alarming
results occurred. All the members of the party were comfortably lodged,
and in all respects well taken care of by orders of the Minister
of Public Instruction. They had occasion also to engage in sports,
notably in baseball. Three public games were played, the first with
the students of the School of San Francisco de Sales, the second with
the American commercial employees of Caracas, and the third with the
students of the College of San Francisco de Sales, in which we won a
loving cup offered by the Minister of Public Instruction. Tennis was
frequently enjoyed and excursions to the beautiful mountain, Ávila,
were also organized.
Every opportunity was offered our students to mingle socially with the
best families of Caracas. Thus, they had not only the means to practise
Spanish, but also a rare opportunity to enjoy intimate contact with the
character of the Venezuelan people, whose constant kindness and genuine
courtesy made a deep and lasting impression on the Georgetown boys.
Among the persons entitled to our gratitude, besides those already
mentioned, are Dr. Vicente Lecuna, a senator of the country and the
President of the Banco de Venezuela, a man universally respected by
reason of his high moral character, who was instrumental in obtaining
for us valuable information and who showed himself tireless in his
efforts to help our students at every turn and on any subject; Dr.
Víctor V. Maldonado, the Director of the Industrial Exhibition; Mr.
Atilano Carnevali, President of the Federation of Students, and all
the members of the Federation; the Reverend Evaristo Ipiñázar, S.
J., Rector of the Seminary; Monsignor Nicolás E. Navarro, Apostolic
Prothonotary, and all the dignitaries of the Church, among whom
special mention is respectfully made of Monsignor Rincón González,
the Archbishop of Venezuela, and His Excellency, Monsignor Marchetti,
the Papal Nuncio. Dr. Manuel C. Correa of the Department of Public
Instruction, the Director of the Normal School and the faculties of the
University and of the different institutions of learning in Caracas
also deserve our grateful remembrances.
The Venezuelan press was extremely kind to us in its remarks. An
expression of sincere thanks is due to _El Nuevo Diario_, _El
Impartial_, _El Universal_, _Religión_, _Actualidades_, _Billiken_ and
other publications.
As a last honor, your representative was decorated with the medal of
"Public Instruction" by the Executive of Venezuela, according to a
decree of July 27, 1920, published in the _Official Gazette_ of the
country on Friday, August 13, of the same year, No. 14,138. In his
answer to the communication of the Minister of Public Instruction
notifying him of this honor, your representative made it clear that
this recognition is very superior to his personal attainments and is
to be considered an honor conferred on the School of Foreign Service
rather than on himself.[1]
Respectfully submitted,
G. A. SHERWELL.
_To_
EDMUND A. WALSH, S. J.,
_Regent of the School of Foreign Service_,
_Georgetown University_,
_Washington, D. C._
[1] The Medal of Public Instruction has since been conferred by
the President of Venezuela on John B. Creeden, S. J., President of
Georgetown University and Edmund A. Walsh, S. J., Regent of the School
of Foreign Service.
Dr. Sherwell was further honored by the Venezuelan Government with the
high distinction of membership in the "Order of the Liberator."
[Illustration: EDWARD FANNING WILLIAM JOHNSON JOSEPH P. QUINLAN GEORGE
A. TOWNSEND PAUL BABBITT FRANK CHIRIELEISON NELSON HOPKINS PHILIP D.
SULLIVAN THOMAS MORRIS JAMES F. COSTELLO DAVID SCHLESINGER MATTHEW
HEILER WILLARD C. FRAZEE EDWARD I. MURPHY J. HOMER BUTLER DR. SHERWELL
WALTER J. DONNELLY JAMES J. O'NEIL GEORGE E. MCKENNA]
PART II
STUDENT REPORTS
THE ECONOMIC HISTORY OF VENEZUELA
REFERENCES USED.--History of South America, W. H. Koebel; With the
Trade Winds, Ira Nelson Morris; The Land of Bolívar, Statesman's
Yearbook, 1918-1919; Reports of International High Commission; Reports
of Minister of Finance (Venezuela); Official Gazette of Venezuela.
GEOGRAPHICAL
The United States of Venezuela occupies the northernmost part of South
America bounded on the ocean side by the Atlantic and the Caribbean
and on the land side by British Guiana, Colombia and Brazil. It has an
area of 393,976 square miles (1,020,396 kilometers) with a population,
however, of only 2,848,121 or approximately 7 to the square mile. This
is in striking contrast with the figures obtained from the United
States Census of 1920 which shows an average population of 35.5 to the
square mile.
Venezuela is divided geographically into four zones, the _llanos_ or
large plains and river valleys which afford excellent opportunities for
the raising of cattle, the _mountain section_, formed by three mountain
ranges, the _table lands_ or plateaus and the _mining zone_. Venezuela
covers the same extent of superficial area as France, Belgium, Holland,
Denmark, Switzerland, Portugal, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland. The country is especially fortunate in having an immense coast
line which extends over 1,800 miles. It has 32 ports, some 50 creeks
and bays, 7 peninsulas and 7 straits. Besides the Lake of Maracaibo,
which is the largest and of special importance, there are also 204
smaller lakes, 60 rivers, 8 of which are of the first magnitude. Along
with the variety of physical features Venezuela has a variety of
climate which permits the raising of many crops of the tropical and
temperate zones.
POLITICAL
Venezuela was sighted by Columbus on his third voyage in 1498, when he
entered the Gulf of Paria and sailed along the Delta of the Orinoco.
In 1550 this territory became the Captain-generalcy of Caracas and
remained under Spanish rule until early in the nineteenth century.
The modern history of Venezuela dates from the year 1813 when Simón
Bolívar took up arms against the Spanish Government and finally
defeated them at the Battle of Boyaca on August 7, 1819. Two years
later at Carabobo the Royalist forces were entirely routed and an end
was put to Spanish control in South America.
Simón Bolívar is venerated in Venezuela as the father of his country,
a title which he richly deserves. He was born in Caracas in 1783 and
from his earliest years his life seemed to be dedicated to the cause
of freedom. As a young man he studied in France and was an eye witness
to many of the scenes of the French Revolution, so that the spirit of
freedom and revolt against despotic government was further intensified
in him.
After his victory over the Spanish forces in 1821 Bolívar was formally
appointed President of Colombia which then included the present
republics of Venezuela and Ecuador. In 1830 Venezuela separated from
Colombia and became an independent state. The remainder of Bolívar's
public career was devoted to tireless labor in behalf of his people
that they might enjoy a stable and beneficial government. He died at
Santa Marta on December 17, 1830, almost penniless after having labored
throughout his entire life in the interest of his native country.
On March 30, 1845, Spain recognized the independence of Venezuela in
the Treaty of Madrid.
A period of successive revolutions followed until finally in 1870
Guzman Blanco assumed control of the country as dictator. Evading
the provisions of the constitution which prohibits the election of a
President for successive terms, Blanco successfully arranged through
two decades for the nomination of some one of his colleagues who was to
hold office as a figurehead.
The people finally tired of this procedure and in 1889 there was a
revolt against the dictator which resulted in his overthrow. At the
elections which followed General Andueza Palacios was elected to the
presidency, but another revolution followed in 1891, during which
Palacios was unseated and General Crespo, his vanquisher, took up the
reins of government.
During the administration of General Crespo trouble arose with Great
Britain over the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela.
President Cleveland intervened in 1895, urging arbitration and finally
in 1899 the matter was amicably settled. This difference with Great
Britain left certain memories with the Venezuelan people which for a
long time operated to the discouragement of British capital.
After another series of revolts, General Cipriano Castro became
president in 1900. Internal disturbances continued and in addition to
this misfortune, Castro ruled as a dictator, employing corrupt and
revolutionary methods which not only aggravated the domestic disease
but ruined credit before the nations of the world. In 1907 the Belgium
debt was repudiated and the following year trouble arose with Holland
regarding the harboring of refugees in Curaçao. Diplomatic relations
were also broken off with England, Italy and France during Castro's
administration. Finally, in 1908 he found it advisable to retire to
Europe and in his absence Juan Vicente Gómez, the Vice President, took
control and was installed as President in June, 1910. General Gómez
still exercises the supreme power in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief
of the Army.
PRODUCTS
(See Reports on Agriculture, Minerals, and Animal Industries.)
BANKS AND CURRENCY
There are four national banks in the country--the Bank of Venezuela,
the Bank of Caracas, the Bank of Maracaibo and the Commercial Bank.
These four banks issue paper currency, which is not legal tender,
although generally accepted as such.
Previous to the establishment of branch banks in Venezuela by foreign
concerns, the majority of import and export houses doing business in
the Republic were engaged in domestic and foreign banking business. As
a general rule, these merchants charged such a high rate of interest
that individuals could not improve their property nor prosper in their
regular agricultural pursuits.
In 1916 the Royal Bank of Canada opened a branch in Caracas and in
several other places in the country. Three years later the National
City Bank of New York entered the field and opened branches in Caracas
and Maracaibo. Other concerns which have opened branches are the
Anglo-Spanish-American Bank, Ltd., The Commercial Bank of Spanish
America, Grace & Co. of New York through their branch, the Venezuela
Commercial Company, and The Mercantile Bank of the Americas.
The currency is on a gold basis and gold coins of foreign countries are
accepted as legal tender. The coinage of silver and subsidiary metal is
restricted.
The bolivar, named in honor of the Liberator, is the monetary unit and
contains 1-1000 part of a kilogram of gold.
Gold coins are issued in 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 bolivar pieces. Silver
coins are issued in 1, 2½, 5 bolivar pieces and 50 and 20 centimo
pieces. The smaller, token coins, are of nickel in 12½ and 5 centimo
pieces. The five-bolivar piece is commonly known as the "fuerte" and is
worth $.96½ in U. S. gold.
AIDS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Capital can be supplied in either of two ways: by investors from
foreign countries or through loans made by the government of Venezuela
to individuals who are unable to interest outside capital. For the
welfare of the country, the latter seems to be more advisable, as
it would reach a larger number of small farmers who are not in need
of large sums, and who moreover are not familiar with the financial
requirements of foreign investors.
A provision similar to the Federal Farm Loan Act passed in the United
States in July, 1917, would be of immense importance in aiding
agriculture enterprises.
The lack of immigration has long been a serious problem in the economic
development of this country; it can only be said that the government
has this question under discussion and probably something will soon
be done to induce immigrants to come to Venezuela where a multitude
of opportunities await them.[2] However, it will be necessary for the
government to assure this class of prospective citizens that the bulk
of desirable land is still in the hands of small holders and that the
power of the government is sufficient to protect the small farmers.
[2] See report on new Immigration Act, pp. 39-41.
In spite of the fact that the country is very sparsely settled, the
present railroad system is inadequate and large tracts of land are of
little or no value because of the expense of handling the products.
Obviously, the products of these areas can not successfully compete
in the world's markets, if the margin of profit has been absorbed
antecedently by high transportation expenses.
The oldest railroad is the Bolívar Railroad which was begun in 1873.
It is a 24-inch gauge, 176½ kilometers long and extends from Tuscasas
to Barquisimeto. The La Ciella line was authorized in 1880 and has a
91-meter gauge and a length of 81½ kilometers.
The most important road and one of the few which has paid any returns
is the La Guaira to Caracas line, which is about 23 miles long and was
built by British capital.
In passing it can truly be said that railroad development has been
retarded as much by political insecurity as by the undeveloped
industrial state of the country, the topography and the expense of
securing railroad equipment. However, the present administration is
giving considerable attention to this need and an extensive program of
wagon-road building is now in process of construction and plans have
also been perfected for extensive railroad expansion.
GOVERNMENT
The Republic of Venezuela was founded in 1830 by separation from the
other members of the "Free State" established by Simón Bolívar within
the limits of the old Spanish colony of New Granada. The Constitution
was modeled after that of the United States of North America, but
greater autonomy is allowed to provincial and local governments.
The chief executive is the President, elected for a term of six years,
assisted by six ministers and a Federal Council of 19 members. The
Federal Council is appointed by Congress every two years; the Council
chooses a President from its own members, who is also President of the
Republic. Neither the President nor members of the Federal Council can
be re-elected for the following period.
The legislative branch of the government is divided into two houses
called the Senate, whose members are elected for six years by the State
Legislatures, and the House of Representatives, whose members are also
elected for a six year-period, but by direct vote, one to each 40,000
inhabitants.
The country is divided into 20 States, 2 Territories and a Federal
District. The National Congress includes 40 Senators and 52
Representatives. Each state has an equal number of representatives,
each having a legislative Assembly, whose members are chosen in
accordance with its respective constitution.
PROSPECTIVE
Venezuela stands to-day upon the threshold of great interior
development especially in agriculture and cattle-raising. Her position
is similar to that of the United States after the Civil War when vast
areas, sparsely settled, lay awaiting the movement of population to
develop them. Her mineral resources are practically untouched and
opportunities await foreign capitalists who are familiar with the
development of new countries.
The political situation, however, should not be neglected. W. H. Koebel
in his "History of South America" says, "No state of South America
can show such a perpetual ferment, such a fog of unrest and strife
hanging over and choking its development as this." Whether or not the
past eight years of stable government and national prosperity has
demonstrated to the people of Venezuela the proper course to follow is
a question beyond the scope of the present inquiry.
In any event, the foreign investor will be well advised if he places
his capital in Venezuela only after mature consideration of the
political changes of the last two decades and the ability of the
present administration to carry through its policy of enlightened
development.
_James F. Costello._
POPULATION, IMMIGRATION, EDUCATION
REFERENCES:
Census Bureau, Caracas, Venezuela, July, 1920.
Memoria del Ministro del Fomento, 1920.
Confidential Report of Department of Commerce, 1919.
Memoria de Instrucción Pública, 1918, 1919, 1920.
Memoria de Obras Públicas, 1920, Vol. 1.
Encyclopaedia Britannica.
The last official census of Venezuela, which was completed in the year
1891, placed the population of the country at 2,323,527. According
to the Venezuelan Year Book of 1904, 10% of the people are white and
of European descent, but by far the larger part, possibly 70% of the
total, is a mixed race in which white and Indian blood prevail, the
remainder being pure Indian blood. It is not to be expected that the
new census, begun in August, 1919, will show any great changes because
of the three following reasons:[3]
1. The neglect of sanitation and hygiene in the past, which was
responsible for a heavy death rate.
2. The numerous civil wars and revolutions, which ended however some
fifteen years ago, when a reconstruction period commenced under the
present régime.
3. Comparative lack of immigration, the actual increase being balanced
by the yearly total of emigration of Venezuelans to foreign countries.
[3] In 1917 the population was estimated as 2,848,121. The last census,
1919-1920, may show some increase.
The future, however, holds brighter prospects due to the fact that
remedies have been found for the first two causes, and energetic
efforts are being made to increase immigration, as will be shown in
detail later.
Within an area of approximately 394,000 square miles the greater part
of the people is found in the regions of Lake Maracaibo, the Federal
District of Caracas and along the Coast, the Southern and interior
sections being to a great extent unknown and unexplored. The region of
Barquisimeto in the state of Lara is the most densely populated area,
while in Apure far to the south is found low swampy land, sparsely
populated, interlaced with a network of rivers, which in the rainy
season cover the entire country with a blanket of water, making travel
impossible for months and mail deliveries most difficult and irregular.
The agricultural zone extending along the coast and inland to the
Orinoco, employs 20% of the population in this pursuit alone, and
contains all the important cities of Venezuela, with the exception
of Ciudad Bolívar. The largest city is Caracas, with a population
(including the Federal District) estimated to-day at 137,687, an
increase of 47,687 since 1891. Its sea-port is La Guaira, connected by
a railroad winding around 23 miles of mountains. The second port of
importance is Puerto Cabello in the vicinity of Valencia, the second
largest city of Venezuela, which has a population estimated at 64,681.
Maracaibo with 48,480 is the third largest city in Venezuela, being
second in the country in business importance. This last district ought
to have the heaviest increase in the future due to the location of the
mines and petroleum wells in this area which attract the majority of
immigrants, while its heavy coffee exportations offer a wide field for
investment and employment.
Mérida, and Barcelona with its port of Juanta which serves the coal and
salt mining regions, are two important populous regions while other
cities varying in population from 10,000 to 50,000 are Ciudad Bolívar,
Barquisimeto, Trujillo and Juanare.
A glance at the following data, with the last two reports approximately
estimated, will serve to show the increase.
1891 official census 2,323,027 Ratio per square kilometer 22
1911 " " 2,743,833 " " " " 26
1917 " " 2,848,121 " " " " 27
The most heavily populated districts are:
Federal District 137,687 Density per square kilometer 70.2
Carabobo 193,234 " " " " 43.9
Nueva Esparta 52,431 " " " " 39.6
Trujillo 185,624 " " " " 24.4
The least populated states are:
Bolívar 69,938 Density per square kilometer .03
Apure 30,008 " " " " .04
The territories which have had no increase since 1891:
Amazonas 45,097 Density per square kilometer .02
Delta-Amaeuro 9,243 " " " " .02
Revised statistics June 19, 1920, for the city of Caracas:
Catedral 12,229
Altagracia 14,280
Santa Teresa 6,050
Santa Rosalia 19,284
Candelaria 13,344
San Juan 16,436
La Pastora 11,409
San Jose 6,688
--------
Total 90,720
Remainder of District 46,967
--------
District total 137,687
Yearly increase of population estimated from comparative statistics of
births, deaths, immigration and emigration:
1910 28,091
1911 30,310
1912 11,797
1913 24,050
1914 24,988
1915 12,904
1916 9,589
1917 20,359
1918 8,308
1919 20,590
IMMIGRATION
The nationalities that immigrate to Venezuela, in order of numbers, at
the present time are Americans, Germans, Italians, Spaniards, Syrians,
Hollanders, with few French and English. Of these, the Spaniards,
Italians and Syrians alone, with a few odd exceptions, become citizens.
Before the war, Germany furnished the preponderant immigrant element
but to-day the Germans are coming in fewer numbers, and Americans are
increasing proportionately.
The reasons for the American increase are mainly the establishment of
three branches of the Royal Bank of Canada in Venezuela in 1916; the
National City Bank of New York with two branches, one in Caracas the
other in Maracaibo, and the Mercantile Bank of America with branches in
the same two cities. As mentioned above, the petroleum activities in
San Lorenzo in the Maracaibo district, the mines and coffee ventures,
also brought many Americans.
The lack of immigration in the past has been due mainly to sanitary
conditions, and the internal troubles of the country. The foreigner,
if unmolested long enough to build up a profitable business, faced the
danger of having it swept away, and his life endangered during one
of the frequent revolutionary outbreaks prior to the present régime.
However, great efforts are being expended to promote immigration as
vitally necessary for the future successful upbuilding of the country,
for Venezuela relies for her increase in population upon this source
and consequently several methods have been pursued to attain this end.
A glance at the laws of immigration formulated January 7, 1893, will
show the favorable inducements offered foreigners.
The Decree of 1893 created a Board of Immigration to promote
colonization. The Board is known as the Central Board of Immigration
and established subordinate boards throughout the country. These
societies, state societies, as well as private companies, were
authorized to make the following favorable concessions to induce
foreigners to come and colonize unused lands.
1. Payment of the immigrant's passage by land and sea, from the
place of embarkation to any of the main immigrant depots. The
National Government may also pay the passage of the immigrant
from the place of residence to the place of embarkation.
2. Payment of landing expenses and board and lodging for thirty
days after arrival.
3. Admission free of duty of their wearing apparel, domestic
utensils, and instruments of trade.
4. Exemption of any payments for necessary passports.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
All rights accorded by law to aliens are guaranteed, and if naturalized
they are exempt from military duties, except only in case of foreign
wars.
Special provisions were also made in behalf of individuals and
companies organizing colonies for settlement in Venezuela.
The manner of making contracts with immigrants is carefully specified
in the following manner:
(_a_) Those who purchase lands during the first two years of
their settlement, shall not be bound to pay the price thereof
until after the expiration of four years, counted from the day
actual possession is taken. They can not dispose of the land,
however, during this period.
(_b_) The title is not to be determined until the stipulated
price is paid and the required cultivation and residence proved.
Special provisions and concessions were also made for the colonization
of public lands by private individuals and companies.
There is an annual appropriation in the National Budget to promote this
project. At the time of this writing, Mr. Simon Barcelo is in Europe,
traveling through the different countries inducing immigrants to come,
and acting as a forwarding agent. The result of his endeavors is being
manifested in the increased number of immigrants arriving within recent
months.
Venezuela's immigration is bound to increase in the future, for
advertisement is bringing results. The subjoined statistics will show
that this is not the only problem confronting the Government, for the
balance of immigration and emigration is only slightly in favor of
the former, as many Venezuelans leave the country yearly for the West
Indies, the United States and Europe. Whereas before the war, the
majority of the youths were educated in Europe, and travelers naturally
sought Europe, difficulty of communication and transportation during
the war turned the stream toward the United States, and the present
popularity of Americans in Venezuela bids fair to perpetuate this
condition of affairs.
_Year_ _Immigration_ _Emigration_
1910 8,273 7,233
1911 9,204 7,219
1912 9,615 7,981
1913 11,617 10,708
1914 10,610 9,742
1915 9,818 8,770
1916 8,596 7,639
1917 7,857 7,182
1918 6,153 5,841
1919 12,433 12,897
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Education in Venezuela is free, and in the six primary grades is
compulsory, the schools from the ages of 7 to 14 years being maintained
by the National Government, State, or Municipality, the Department
of Education being under the direct supervision of the Minister of
Public Instruction, with subordinate officials forming a board. In
1908 Mr. Guillermo Todd, a distinguished Venezuelan educator, was sent
to the United States, where he spent two years in the larger cities
inspecting the school system, the normal schools and universities. On
his return he was appointed superintendent of schools, and reorganized
the system, introducing many American ideas and methods which largely
prevail to-day.
The maintenance of the educational system depends upon the receipts
from stamps, from post-cards and letters, from fines collected from
violators of the instruction laws; from taxes upon inheritances,
imposts upon tobacco leaves and manufactures, and from the proceeds of
the revenue stamps placed upon boxes of cigars.
During the school year of 1919 there were founded two primary schools
with three teachers each, two with two teachers and nine schools
with one teacher. Two schools were suspended and eleven changed into
co-educational with one teacher, while thirteen schools changed their
location. Heretofore education has followed the population only.
Outside the cities, towns and large cities near the coast there were
scant educational facilities, and the rural population was to a large
extent uninstructed, there being no schools nor teachers. During
1917 a movement was inaugurated to establish rural schools in all
industrial districts, and migratory schools of this kind are now in
operation in Frujillo, in Mario El Cantado and Caracas, the states
and municipalities have taken the matter in hand. On September 19,
1919, a decree was passed by the National Government to offer a bonus
in the form of wages, of from 100 to 200 bolivares ($20.00 to $40.00)
to competent persons possessing a certificate of primary elemental
instruction, who would enroll and teach children below fourteen years
of age the rudiments of education in localities of small population
where there were no public schools nor teachers. The bonus to be
received varied according to the number of pupils enrolled; many small
classes are now in operation throughout the rural districts.
The Obligatory Instruction Law compelling children from 7 to 14
years of age to attend class has been rigidly enforced by Government
decree during 1919; a list of offending parents is compiled and they
are visited by educational officers, and fined if found guilty of
not sending their children to school. By an order of June 20, 1919,
English is to be henceforth taught in all primary schools, in view
of its present importance as a commercial language. On September 1,
1919, appropriation being made, two new Manual Training Schools were
founded, one at Mérida, the other at San Cristobal. Physical training
is now considered an important part of the training, and at least a
half-hour a day is spent in calisthenics and gymnastic training. In
1918 the Boy Scouts movement was proposed, and introduced into the
schools of Maracaibo, where under the supervision of Mr. W. Douglas
it has been intertwined with the courses of the public educational
institutions. This movement is now receiving national prominence, and
gained favorable commendation in the Memoria de Instrucción Pública
(1918).
According to the latest data, there are approximately 1,500 primary
schools in Venezuela with 50,000 pupils enrolled, but the system is
laboring under the difficulty of a lack of teachers, due to inadequate
compensation. The children attend school six days a week, but on
Saturday have class in the morning only. The curriculum consists
of a daily lecture or assembly, elements of the Spanish language,
arithmetic, the legal system of weights and measures, rudiments of
etiquette and hygiene, moral and civic instruction, gymnastic exercises
or national songs, and elements of manual training. The afternoon
classes embrace writing, geography, history, topics of the day and
gymnastic exercises.
The Secondary Education of Venezuela is not as generally widespread, in
proportion, as primary education. There are 102 schools of this class
corresponding to high schools in the United States; 58 are for boys,
38 for girls, and 4 are co-educational. Some are grouped into Federal
Colleges and Normal Schools annexed to Federal Schools in Caracas and
Valencia.
Caracas is nominally the center of education in Venezuela. Here are
found two normal schools, one for men and one for women, and two
national schools of arts and trades, one for each sex. In 1917 Schools
of Commerce were instituted at Caracas, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello,
Curúpano and Ciudad Bolívar. These are similar to our own commercial
schools, teaching languages, bookkeeping, stenography, accounting and
the like. Besides, there are found throughout the country thirty-four
schools of higher instruction, and twenty-one subsidized by the
Government.
One institution, founded June 30, 1919, may be interesting to note,
_viz_, the National Telegraph School of Caracas in which the first
pupils were enrolled from July 1 to 7, 1919. The school is situated in
the Federal Telephone and Telegraph Building.
The candidate must have the following qualifications:
1. Be a Venezuelan.
2. Over 15 years of age and under 25.
3. Have had elementary primary instructions and the certificate issued
for the same.
4. Be of good character.
5. Have no contagious diseases, and no physical defects.
6. In case he is a minor he must have the permission of his legal
guardian.
There are six National Universities, located in the following cities:
1. Central University of Caracas.
2. The University of the Andes at Mérida.
3. The University of Valencia in the State of Carabobo.
4. The University of Maracaibo in the State of Julia.
5. The University at Ciudad Bolívar in the State of Bolívar.
6. The University of Barquisimeto in the State of Lara.
The following courses are pursued in the Universities: Medicine, Law,
Political Science, Philosophy and Letters, Dentistry and Pharmacy.
The length of these courses is six years with the exception of
pharmacy, which is a four-year course.
Among the professional schools the following are of greater importance:
1. School of Engineering at Caracas.
2. School of Naval Construction at Puerto Cabello.
3. School of Political Science at San Cristobal.
4. School of Medicine in Caracas (founded December, 1915). A free
dispensary is attached, subsidized by public funds under the direction
of Civil Hospitals.
5. School of Dentistry, Caracas (1916).
6. School of Sciences (Physical, Natural and Mathematical) Caracas
(December, 1915).
7. School of Chemical Research.
Of the Academies the more important are:
1. Those of natural science, music, oratory and modern languages found
in the larger cities.
2. The Academy of Language in Caracas devoted to the national language
and literature.
3. The Academy of History in Caracas devoted to national history.
4. One seminary at Caracas,--the Catholic Seminary for Theology and
Canonical Jurisprudence.
Under "miscellaneous" we may consider the following:
The National Library of Caracas containing 50,000 volumes; a national
museum containing a valuable historical collection; the Cajigal
Observatory devoted to Astronomical and Meteorological work; the
libraries of Valencia and Maracaibo, and the Pasteur Institute in
Caracas.
Among the educational achievements of the past few years, the following
are worthy of mention:
1. Departments for engineering work.
2. Departments for the administration of budget.
3. Improvements in laboratories in physics, mineralogy, geology, botany
and zoology.
4. Enlargement of the libraries and improvement of the school of
medicine.
5. The schools of arts and crafts for men has 541 men enrolled. The
clever map making of the students should be especially noted.
6. The meteorological stations in Mérida, Maracaibo and Calabozo.
The appropriation for education for the fiscal year July 1, 1920 to
June 30, 1921, recently passed by the Venezuelan Congress, contains the
following items:
_Bolivares_
1. Ministry 120,580
2. National Council of Instruction 119,016
3. Primary Education 2,465,542
4. Secondary Education 259,240
5. Normal Education 203,940
6. Board of Inspection 135,600
7. Superior Instruction and Institutes
of University Extension 373,781
8. Special Instruction 326,672
9. Celebrations and Entertainments 143,940
10. General Costs 180,000
----------
Total Bs. 4,328,181
It may be said in conclusion that Venezuela fully recognizes the
importance of sound educational institutions and every effort is being
expended to bring about the desired results through legislation. The
work is slowly materializing but assuredly progressing. By far the
greatest problem is the lack of professors. Educational progress has of
necessity been retarded in the past but as the era of prosperity of the
country has been gradually, but surely, dawning, this important branch
has not been neglected, and a brighter future is before the Venezuelan
youths which will preclude the necessity of going abroad, as they have
done in the past, to complete their training.
The country has need of highly educated men; it is determined to
provide the institutions necessary to satisfy these needs.
_Thomas F. Morris._
PORTS OF VENEZUELA
With an increasing commerce and steady betterment of domestic economic
conditions, the ports of Venezuela are rapidly assuming a position that
for continued development and general good condition has never been
equalled in the history of the country. All countries recognize the
vital economic value of ports and with few exceptions can gauge their
own prosperity by the nature and number of their harbors. Few countries
are more dependent upon their ports than Venezuela. Because of poor
inland communication with neighboring countries, and an inability to
maintain itself, largely due to lack of manufactures, and due also to
a marked dependence upon the outside world for the marketing of its
products, this nation is to a high degree reliant upon its foreign
commerce and hence, in turn, upon its ports.
Fortunately, Venezuela has a long coast line of 3,020 kilometers,
indented with 32 harbors, 50 small bays and many coves. The most
important ports in the approximate order of importance are: La Guaira,
Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Ciudad Bolívar, Carúpano, Puerto Sucre, La
Vela, Cristobal Colón, Caño Colorado, Guanta, Pampatar, Imataca and
San Antonio del Táchira. At the present time many of the best natural
ports and the most favorably situated are still undeveloped or occupy
a secondary position. This is partially due to the lack of development
of their naturally rich and fertile hinterlands, difficulties of
transportation and unsympathetic government legislation. However,
remedies are now being applied and it can safely be predicted that
certain of the minor ports will soon outstrip the older and better
developed ones. A brief survey will serve to show the general nature
and economic status of some of the better known ports.
Chief in importance is LA GUAIRA which, connected with Caracas by 24
miles of railroad, stands as the commercial center of Venezuela and
will be treated in more detail later.
MARACAIBO
Situated on a fresh water lake of approximately the same size
as Lake Erie, the Port of Maracaibo drains a large hinterland.
Coffee and petroleum are its two important exports. Besides
that of Venezuela, much coffee of Colombian origin is exported
from the port. It may also be noted that there is an ever
increasing exploitation of petroleum and a corresponding demand
for harbor facilities. Physically the port enjoys a great
advantage in being located on a large lake fed by numberless
rivers.
The lake itself could accommodate vessels of thirty-foot draft,
while three of the largest rivers, the Catatumbo, Lulia and
Escalante can be travelled by river steamers of fair size.
The two former streams are navigable as far as Villamizar in
Colombia, and afford a fine transportation route for the coffee
and other products of Santander. However, the port suffers a
great disadvantage, as the main channel leading into the port
is obstructed by a bar. The depth of water on this bar ranges
from seven feet at low tide to twelve feet at high tide. The
project of dredging the channel seems to be entirely feasible
and if accomplished would add greatly to the general prosperity
of Venezuela.
PUERTO CABELLO
Deriving its name from the fact that its waters were considered
so placid that a vessel might anchor within its protection
sustained by a single strand of hair, Puerto Cabello remains
the most sheltered port of Venezuela. Equipped with a floating
dock 282 feet long, 80 feet wide and 21 feet high, it is
able to take care of vessels up to 2,000 tons and has proved
especially serviceable for the small steamers that serve the
coast cities of Venezuela and Colombia. Coastwise vessels of
light tonnage are constructed here and repairs of an extensive
nature may be made. Many improvements to the ship building
plant and repair docks are under way and the new floating
dry dock when completed will permit the docking of vessels
up to 4,000 tons, which means that it will be capable of
accommodating practically all vessels that touch Venezuelan
ports. The average depth of the harbor is 28 feet. Cattle are
an important export, large consignments being made from the
surrounding country. A frozen meat establishment controlled by
English interests is of considerable value to the port, the
meat being shipped to England in special ships. Puerto Cabello
is 20 miles distant from Valencia and has railroad connections
with both it and Caracas. Other exports besides cattle are
coffee, cacao, dyewoods, hides, skins, and copper ores.
CIUDAD BOLÍVAR
A river port situated on the right bank of the Orinoco 240
miles above its mouth, Ciudad Bolívar is the commercial center
of the Orinoco basin. A bar which blocks the river channel
prevents ships of more than twelve feet draft from navigating
the harbor. Due to the large quantity of sand deposited by
the river and its tributaries, dredging is practically an
impossibility. Vessels of less than twelve feet draft can go
up the Orinoco as far as San Fernando de Apure. The principal
exports are cattle, horses, mules, tobacco, cacao, rubber,
tonka beans, bitters, hides, timber and other forest products.
The port has connections with government land lines, regular
communication with the lower and upper Orinoco and steamship
lines to New York and the Antilles. The government imposes a
surtax of 30% on imports from the West Indies which greatly
diminishes the commerce of the port.
MINOR PORTS
=Carúpano= is well located for commerce, being on the Caribbean
coast at the opening of two valleys. It is the commercial
center of the rich and populous hinterland of the valleys
of Tunapui and Pilar and the valuable forests of Coiguar.
The principal exports are coffee, cacao, cotton and forest
products. Although possessing fair wharves, the harbor is very
open and cargo must be moved in lighters and launches to the
piers. Traffic is almost entirely of a coastwise nature with La
Guaira.
=Guanta= is one of the eastern ports of the country and has an
excellent natural land-locked harbor. Its wharf can accommodate
trans-Atlantic steamers, although commerce from abroad is
light. The wooden pier, formerly in very bad condition, is
being replaced by one of concrete. Guanta is connected by
twenty-four miles of railroad with the coal mines of Naricuse
and furnishes fuel for coastwise vessels. Large numbers of
cattle are raised in the surrounding country and upon the
completion of improvements the harbor should have a very bright
future. By a government decree of 1917 the port was closed to
import commerce and depends almost entirely upon exports for
its functioning.
=Puerto Sucre= is situated west of the city of Cumaná at a
distance of less than a mile. It is equipped with a wooden
pier constructed by the Cumaná and Carúpano Pier Company. The
depth of water varies greatly and the loading and unloading of
vessels is accomplished in lighters belonging to the company.
The commerce of the port is small, most being undertaken with
the neighboring ports of Venezuela.
=La Vela= borders on a low swampy region and is connected by
railroad with Coro. Except for a small coastwise trade with
Puerto Cabello, the port enjoys little commercial activity.
Coal mines are near by and with their future exploitation an
increase in commerce may be expected. The waters of the harbor
are unusually rough and lighters must be used for discharging
cargo.
[Illustration: RANCHO GRANDE
THE ROAD THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS]
[Illustration: PORT OF OCUMARE DE LA COSTA ON THE CARIBBEAN]
While there are many other ports besides those mentioned above, their
commerce is so light and in such a poor state of development that more
consideration need not be given them here. For the most part, their
commerce is entirely coastwise and is carried on principally in small
sailing vessels. The fundamental obstacle to their future progress
and indeed to the progress of the entire nation seems to be lack of
population--a difficulty which the government is striving hard to
overcome by furnishing immigrants with free transportation, and paying
passport expenses.
SPECIAL PORT ACTIVITIES
At present there are no free ports in Venezuela and despite many
rumors and much discussion the establishment of a free port, at least
for some time, seems improbable. However, the Minister of Finance
has recommended the installation of bonded warehouses at some port
centrally located on the coast mainly for the better accommodation of
coastwise trade. Cargoes could be placed for a long period of time in
the proposed warehouses and the charges collected with the movement of
goods. The advantage of such a plan would be principally the ability
of profiting from market conditions and the fluctuation of prices.
The execution of this plan depends solely upon the legislation of the
government and will be officially considered in the near future.
Of far greater importance is the proposed project of transforming
Puerto Ocumare de la Costa from a small harbor with very little
commerce into a leading port capable of becoming a formidable rival
of La Guaira. For the accomplishment of this the former port would
have to be connected by railroad with Maracay, a distance of 43 miles,
and goods shipped to the territory which La Guaira now supplies.
The railroad would be very difficult to construct as it would have
to traverse a mountainous country and would take years to complete.
Engineers are considering the feasibility of the undertaking. The
reason for the new project is generally believed to be the raise in
rates of the La Guaira Harbor Corporation brought about by changing
from weight to volume measurement of cargo. The company justifies its
charge advance on the grounds that it was necessitated by the increase
in wages due to strikes. However, the government insists that the
raise is entirely out of proportion to the increase in salary paid.
The new rates impose an increase in charge of 37½% on coffee, 87⅓% on
cacao and 300% on hides. Proportionate increases are made on many other
articles.
It is needless to say that if the plan is carried out it will directly
or indirectly affect a large portion of the country. And whether the
economic advantages, such as new harbor development, the opening up
of new lands, and the increased mileage of railroads will justify the
disadvantage of large expenditures and risks involved is a question
that time alone can answer.
PORT OF LA GUAIRA
Formerly considered one of the most dangerous harbors on the Caribbean
coast, La Guaira is to-day Venezuela's leading port and the recipient
of a large volume of commerce both from Venezuela and abroad. Its
prosperity may be assigned to several causes. By reason of its
proximity to Caracas, the capital and chief city of the republic, the
port enjoys a great commercial advantage, as Caracas is a center of
transportation activities. Again, the harbor besides being favorably
located can accommodate vessels of large draft and possesses harbor and
warehouse facilities of an extensive nature. Government legislation has
also accomplished much to assure its preeminence as certain laws now in
force operate to divert much commerce to La Guaira that would normally
go to other Venezuelan ports.
The port works and equipment are owned by the La Guaira Harbor
Corporation, an English company that has undertaken improvements
totalling $5,000,000 and that have changed the harbor from a natural
to an artificial port. Before the improvements, the port was an open
roadstead--unsheltered and very dangerous. At the present time it is
protected by a stone and concrete sea wall, constructed from an average
depth of 29½ feet and rising 19½ feet above water. This protection
is ample and ships may move about and anchor in complete safety. The
sheltered area of the harbor is 75 acres and has an average depth of
from 28 to 30 feet. Entrance is made between the buoy at end of pier
No. 5 and buoy No. 4 placed at a distance of 300 feet. The maximum
range of tide is approximately 3 feet. Vessels of 23-foot draft can
safely navigate the harbor.
Landing is made at jetties inside the breakwater and the cargo is
loaded on cars and taken to warehouses. The jetties are three in number
and can accommodate three large or four small steamers. These jetties
are all equipped with railway facilities. Bunkerage is not available
and vessels must coal from lighters or cars on wharf. The port can
supply only a limited amount of coal, mostly Cardiff briquettes. Fuel
oil can not be obtained, but is available in large quantities at
Curaçao, 60 miles distant.
The population of the port is estimated at 26,000. The climate is
very hot with an average temperature of 84°. The prevailing winds are
northeast by southwest.
Though but 8 miles from Caracas, 24 miles of winding railroad through
the mountains are necessary to connect the port with the capital. The
line is owned by an English company, has a gradient of 4% and is of
3-foot gauge. From Caracas the Great Railroad of Venezuela operates a
road to the city of Valencia which in turn is connected by a third line
to Puerto Cabello.
The principal exports of the port are coffee, cacao and hides which are
sent principally to the United States, with which commerce is greatly
increasing. Much cacao of the better grade is exported to France.
The imports are textiles, chemicals, machinery, hardware, paper
products, drugs and medicines, of which 75% come from the United
States. Large return cargoes are difficult to get and at times
absolutely unobtainable.
The following statistics may serve to show the volume of commerce of
the port:
MOVEMENT OF CARGO FROM THE PORT OF LA GUAIRA
_1918_ _1919_
_Metric_ _Metric_ _Increase_
_Tons_ _Tons_ (_M. T._)
Foreign imports 25,384 38,843 13,459
Foreign exports 26,186 30,632 4,445
Coastwise trade 55,446 64,195 8,748
-------- ------- -------
Total movement 107,017 133,671 26,654
MOVEMENT OF PASSENGERS FROM LA GUAIRA
_Year_
1915 8,216
1916 8,707
1917 9,976
1918 9,897
1919 15,974
MOVEMENT OF CARGO FROM PORT OF LA GUAIRA BY YEAR SINCE 1905
_Year_
1905 92,489
1906 89,299
1907 93,548
1908 63,012
1909 74,414
1910 81,525
1911 91,996
1912 105,844
1913 116,116
1914 110,498
1915 104,583
1916 113,351
1917 123,963
1918 107,017
1919 133,671
PILOTAGE AND TOWAGE
Pilotage is not compulsory and is little used as entrance to the harbor
is easily made. When signalled for, the pilot boards the vessel about 2
miles off shore and proceeds to the port. Towage is very seldom used,
the only tug available being owned by the harbor corporation. The
charge for towage is $50 for a distance of from 4 to 6 miles off shore.
Mooring and shifts within the harbor are made from swinging buoys and
with the vessel's own equipment of capstan and winches. A mooring
charge of $0.0286 per net ton register is collected by the harbor
corporation both on steamers and sailing vessels.
LIGHTERAGE AND CARTAGE
The port is equipped with six lighters of 30 ton capacity, all of
which are owned by the corporation. They are principally used when the
mole is overcrowded and for the handling of large packages. Vessels
carrying explosives or other dangerous cargo must anchor just inside
the breakwater and discharge their goods into lighters.
Cartage for local delivery is accomplished by means of small
two-wheeled carts; most of the cargo, however, is handled by the
railroad with which the jetties are all connected.
STEVEDORING
Harbor conditions, on the whole, are satisfactory. When experienced,
the help is skillful and efficient but unfortunately is hard to obtain.
The employees have no union and are for the most part mulattoes. The
regular hours of work are from 7 A. M. to 4:30 P. M., while overtime
(daylight) is from 4:30 P. M. to 6:30 P. M.
The cost of discharging cargo is 60c. per hour during the regular
hours. For overtime in daylight the rate is increased 40c. and in night
time 60c. Tally clerks receive $3.00 per day with 40% increase for
overtime in daylight and double time after 9:00 P. M.
The time rate for handling cargo is about 20 metric tons per hour by
gang of 20 men. The discharging rate varies according to the nature
of the cargo as it can not be placed on the wharf faster than the
employees of the Customs House can check it.
PORT CHARGES
Of first importance are the charges collected by the government, which
include the following: An export tax on coffee, cacao, etc., which
is paid by the exporter, the vessel not being charged; a tax by the
captain of the port to the value of $2.41; interpreter's service,
which, however, is not compulsory, $6.18; port doctor fee $9.65 for
steamers and $4.83 for sailing vessels; pilotage, if taken, for
steamers $16.21, sailing vessels $11.58; government stamps, $1.93.
Vessels are boarded by the port doctor and a bill of health is required
from the Venezuelan Consul at the last port, also lists of passengers
and crew.
The port possesses an under-equipped hospital and a fee of $3.86 is
collected by the hospital association from each large vessel entering
or leaving the harbor. If proceeding to another domestic port a bill of
health is required and a charge of $2.35 is made by the government.
The municipality collects a water charge of $46.32 whether water is
taken on or not. If additional water is desired, a further charge of
77c. a ton is made. Other charges are made by the Harbor Corporation
including $0.0386 per net ton register for mooring and a similar sum
for each metric ton loaded or discharged during regular hours.
WHARVES AND WAREHOUSES
The breakwater pier is equipped with 3 jetties of concrete
construction, with a vessel clearance of 2,000 feet. The length of
jetty No. 1 is 70 meters, while that of No. 2 and No. 3 combined is
215 meters. Their width is 15 meters and the depth of water at low tide
is 30 feet. The jetties have a capacity of 6,000 tons of general cargo.
The pier is equipped with ten revolving steam cranes, the largest of
which is of 12 ton capacity with boom radius of 60 feet at an angle of
45°. The remaining cranes are of 5 and 3 ton capacity respectively.
The port has four warehouses with a total floor space of 5,134 square
meters. All are in charge of the government and are in good condition.
Strict regulations are in force and the Custom House processes are of a
character to discourage commerce.
The national tariff is highly protective, the government receiving
a large percentage of its revenues from this source. Few goods are
admitted free and those likely to compete with home industry are
severely taxed.
DOCUMENTS
Necessary for port doctor:
Bill of health.
List of crew (register).
List of passengers.
Necessary for customs authorities:
Ship's register (sometimes demanded).
Consular dispatch from Venezuelan Consul, consisting of one
sealed package with general manifest of cargo, consular
invoices, bills of lading, etc.
Two copies of crew list.
Two copies of the passenger list.
Two copies of the list of provisions and stores.
Two copies of the "Sobordo" in hand.
Two copies of the B/L sealed by Venezuelan Consul in the last
port.
Necessary for agency:
Vessels bringing cargo from United States ports:
1 copy of manifest.
1 set of ship's export declarations.
1 set ship's papers (from American vessels).
_Paul Babbitt._
OCEAN, CABLE AND RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH VENEZUELA
Venezuela, northernmost of the South American republics, comprises an
area of 393,976 square miles, including vast mineral resources and land
well suited for agricultural pursuits and cattle raising. Among the
principal agricultural products which Venezuela raises in sufficient
quantity for export to other parts of the world are coffee, cocoa,
sugar, tobacco and rubber. Other exports are gold, hides and skins.
Among the principal imports we find cotton goods, wheat flour, and,
in short, all manufactured articles used in the tropics except shoes,
laundry soap, candles, matches, salt, ready-made clothing and similar
articles upon which tariff rates are prohibitive.[4]
[4] United States Commerce Reports (No. 48-A), 1920.
It is within my province here to discuss communication facilities
between Venezuela and other countries, both in regard to steamship
facilities, and cable and wireless communication, for the purpose of
determining whether or not the existing lines of communication are best
suited to promote commerce between Venezuela and the countries to which
and from which she exports and imports products.
The first point to be considered is that of shipping communications,
since it is in ships that foreign commerce must be carried. In the
following pages we shall briefly discuss Venezuelan ports, volume of
shipping entering and leaving these ports and the countries and lines
owning and operating these ships.
The principal Venezuelan ports in order of their importance are La
Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello and Ciudad Bolívar.[5]
[5] Reports of Trade Commissioner Bell, Commerce Dept.
_La Guaira_, due to its geographical position as the port nearest the
United States and Europe (2,000 miles from New York and New Orleans),
together with the fact that it is near Caracas, the capital and
commercial centre of Venezuela, is the most important port in that
country. It is therefore a port of egress and entry for Caracas and
central Venezuela. Besides being the capital and largest city, Caracas
is, to a peculiar degree, the centre of the commercial and industrial,
as well as the political life of Venezuela. Practically every company
engaged in any sort of business maintains an office in Caracas, which
accounts in part for the importance of the nearby port of La Guaira.
Due to the importance of coffee and sugar growing in the district
around _Maracaibo_, this port is the second in importance in
Venezuela.[6] It is situated at the entrance of a great lake which
opens the way to a territory rich in coffee and sugar plantations as
well as in coal mines and petroleum fields. Its only disadvantage is
the fact that a shallow channel which must be dredged continually
prohibits the entrance of vessels of large tonnage at many periods of
the year.
[6] Consular reports from La Guaira and Maracaibo.
The next port in importance, that of _Puerto Cabello_, is the inlet
and outlet for a district containing three of Venezuela's largest
cities, Valencia, Barquisimeto and Coro. This region is preeminently
agricultural in its activities and its prosperity is largely dependent
on its export trade in coffee, cacao, hides, skins, copper ore and
frozen meat.
_Ciudad Bolívar_,[7] fourth in importance of the ports of Venezuela,
is situated on the Orinoco River, about two hundred miles above its
mouth. In every respect its commerce is very different from that of the
rest of Venezuela, depending not upon the products of manufacturing or
agriculture, but upon wild products of the forests; upon gold mined
and washed in Venezuelan Guiana, and upon hides which are rafted down
the Orinoco and its tributaries from southern Venezuela and eastern
Colombia.
[7] Consular reports from Puerto Cabello and Ciudad Bolívar.
In order to give a clear idea of the ships and tonnage entering and
leaving the various Venezuelan ports, as well as their nationalities,
I have compiled statistics from the official figures given by the
Minister of Hacienda for the year 1918, the last year for which
figures could be obtained. A study of these figures shows the relative
importance of the ports of the country as well as the volume of
commerce with foreign nations.[8]
SUMMARY
_Number of Ships Entering Each Port, January-June, 1918._
PORTS SHIPS TONNAGE TOTAL
_Steam_ _Sail_ _Steam_ _Sail_ _Ships_ _Tonnage_
La Guaira 52 18 102,762 962 70 103,724
Maracaibo 12 39 9,522 4,380 51 13,902
Puerto Cabello 33 24 107,041 1,563 57 108,604
Ciudad Bolívar 14 1 3,118 9 15 3,127
Carúpano 14 14 17,145 184 28 17,329
Puerto Sucre 5 33 2,474 285 38 2,759
La Vela -- 33 -- 1,797 33 1,797
Cristobal Colón 13 36 13,250 1,307 49 14,557
Pampator 2 44 511 630 46 1,141
---- ---- -------- ------- ---- --------
Total 145 242 225,823 11,117 387 266,940
_Nationalities of Ships Entering These Ports, January-June, 1918._
FLAGS SHIPS TONNAGE TOTAL
_Steam_ _Sail_ _Steam_ _Sail_ _Ships_ _Tonnage_
American 51 10 77,183 2,094 61 79,277
Colombian -- 6 -- 303 6 303
Spanish 7 -- 26,439 -- 7 26,439
French 6 -- 14,771 -- 6 14,771
Dutch 3 33 7,251 2,913 36 10,164
English 37 7 90,678 272 44 90,950
Italian 3 -- 16,962 -- 3 16,962
Norwegian 11 -- 13,505 -- 11 13,505
Venezuelan 27 186 9,034 5,535 213 14,569
---- ---- -------- ------- ---- --------
Total 145 242 255,823 11,117 387 266,940
_Number of Ships Entering Venezuelan Ports June-December, 1918._
PORTS SHIPS TONNAGE TOTAL
_Steam_ _Sail_ _Steam_ _Sail_ _Ships_ _Tonnage_
La Guaira 72 53 112,498 4,835 125 117,333
Maracaibo 28 19 14,968 1,480 47 16,448
Puerto Cabello 27 25 111,369 915 52 112,284
Ciudad Bolívar 14 1 3,118 8 15 3,126
Carúpano 6 12 1,381 186 18 1,567
Puerto Sucre -- 15 -- 225 15 225
La Vela -- 16 -- 735 16 735
Cristobal Colón 12 34 7,720 1,148 46 8,868
Pampator -- 43 -- 762 43 762
---- ---- -------- ------- ---- --------
Total 159 218 251,054 10,294 377 261,348
_Nationalities of Ships Entering Venezuelan Ports,
June-December, 1918._
FLAGS SHIPS TONNAGE TOTAL
_Steam_ _Sail_ _Steam_ _Sail_ _Ships_ _Tonnage_
Spanish 13 50,041 13 50,041
French 14 2 3,011 3,060 16 6,071
Dutch 3 28 1,914 1,693 31 3,607
English 27 4 73,319 81 31 73,400
Italian 6 33,924 6 33,924
Norwegian 4 6,184 4 6,184
Venezuelan 24 183 5,302 5,386 207 10,688
---- --- -------- ------ ---- ------
Total 159 218 251,054 10,294 377 261,348
_Number of Ships Sailing From Each Port, January-June, 1918._
FLAGS SHIPS TONNAGE TOTAL
_Steam_ _Sail_ _Steam_ _Sail_ _Ships_ _Tonnage_
La Guaira 49 53 79,593 3,936 102 83,529
Maracaibo 69 121 29,560 11,987 190 41,547
Puerto Cabello 33 108 86,306 5,275 141 91,581
Tucacas 4 5 4,065 557 9 4,622
Ciudad Bolívar 14 1 3,512 9 15 2,521
San Felix 3 942 3 942
Barrancas 9 1 3,494 6 10 3,500
Carúpano 17 29 17,304 614 46 17,912
Rio Carila 15 2 1,096 16 17 1,112
Puerto Sucre 2 45 118 882 47 1,000
Guanta 13 9 5,515 511 22 6,026
La Vela 91 6,954 91 6,954
Cristobal Colón 6 361 10,200 5,421 367 15,621
Pampator 3 104 139 2,687 107 2,826
---- --- -------- ------ ---- ------
Total 237 930 241,844 38,855 1,167 280,699
_Nationalities of Ships Sailing from Venezuelan Ports._
FLAGS SHIPS TONNAGE TOTAL
_Steam_ _Sail_ _Steam_ _Sail_ _Ships_ _Tonnage_
American 63 18 82,332 5,857 81 88,189
Colombian 4 257 4 257
Spanish 6 24,141 6 24,141
French 4 2 14,331 134 6 14,465
Dutch 23 131 17,445 11,019 154 28,464
English 56 8 48,391 407 64 48,798
Italian 3 15,441 3 15,441
Norwegian 15 19,038 15 19,038
Venezuelan 67 767 20,725 21,181 834 41,906
---- --- -------- ------ ----- ------
Total 237 930 241,844 38,855 1,167 280,699
_Number of Ships Sailing from Each Port, July--December, 1918._
PORTS SHIPS TONNAGE TOTAL
_Steam_ _Sail_ _Steam_ _Sail_ _Ships_ _Tonnage_
La Guaira 45 48 93,167 3,449 93 96,616
Maracaibo 63 121 28,565 8,280 184 36,845
Puerto Cabello 34 135 105,769 2,521 169 108,290
Tucasas 1 9 1,021 746 10 1,767
Ciudad Bolívar 23 1 6,809 9 24 6,818
Barancas 2 17 481 249 19 730
Carúpano 14 23 6,626 578 37 7,204
Rio Cariba 4 6 280 107 10 387
Puerto Sucre 1 24 30 911 25 941
Guanta 6 12 2,080 845 18 2,925
La Vela -- 68 -- 3,903 68 3,903
Cristobal Colón 8 367 7,974 5,939 375 13,913
Pampator 4 137 111 4,445 141 4,556
---- ---- -------- ------- ---- --------
Total 205 968 252,913 31,982 1,173 284,895
_Nationalities of Ships Sailing from Venezuelan Ports._
FLAGS SHIPS TONNAGE TOTAL
_Steam_ _Sail_ _Steam_ _Sail_ _Ships_ _Tonnage_
American 60 7 81,078 1,659 67 82,737
Spanish 15 -- 57,788 -- 15 57,788
French 22 9 11,893 1,910 31 13,803
Dutch 17 106 9,404 5,859 123 15,263
English 44 10 53,090 696 54 53,786
Italian 4 -- 22,772 -- 4 22,772
Norwegian 7 -- 9,582 -- 7 9,582
Venezuelan 36 836 7,306 21,858 872 29,164
---- ---- -------- ------- ---- --------
Total 205 968 252,913 31,982 1,173 284,895
[8] United States of Venezuela: Ministerio de Hacienda; "Estadistica
Mercantil y Marítima."
As can readily be seen from these figures the chief commerce of
Venezuela is with American and European countries. The shipping service
is of two kinds--line service and tramp or charter service. The
former consists of actual steamship lines under an organized company,
operating on regular itineraries and on stated dates with regular rates
for freight, passenger and mail service. The latter refers chiefly
to sailing vessels of small tonnage, either engaged independently in
trade or under charter contract with firms or individual shippers for
a certain stipulated length of time, at certain rates mutually agreed
upon, and for stated cargoes and voyages.
Since, in this connection, line service is of the most importance
we shall first take up the various steamship lines operating between
Venezuelan ports and other ports of the world.
=TRANSATLANTIC COMPANY OF BARCELONA=
This is a Spanish line of steamships, having its home office
at Barcelona, Spain. It was established January 21, 1882,
and supplies a passenger, freight and mail service, making
one voyage each month at intervals somewhat irregular. Its
itinerary comprises the following ports:
Barcelona, Genoa, Puerto Rico, Habana, Puerto Limon, Colón,
Puerto Colombia, Curaçao, Puerto Cabello, La Guaira, Puerto
Rico, Barcelona.
The vessels in service are the Montevideo, Buenos Aires,
Lyaysi, Montserrat, Antonio Lopez, Manuel Calvo, Satrustyui.
Because of the length of time taken in transit this line does a
greater freight than passenger business. Its rates are governed
by those of other European steamship companies, since they are
united under a gigantic ocean-carriers' agreement, which will
be discussed later.
=COMPAGNIE GENERAL TRANS-ATLANTIQUE=
This is a French line, established June 27, 1872, with its home
office in Paris. It supplies a monthly service for passengers,
freight and mail. Its itinerary formerly was:
Nazaire, Point a Pitre, La Guaira, Puerto Colombia, Cartagena,
Colón, Puerto Colombia, Puerto Cabello, Port de France, St.
Nazaire and Bordeaux.
(N. B.--According to information recently received, this line
now also calls at Havre.)
The vessels in service are the Perón, Puerto Río, and Haiti.
The service is not as regular as could be desired and rates
are governed by the same conditions which apply to the Spanish
company previously mentioned.
=ROYAL DUTCH WEST INDIA MAIL=
This is a Dutch line, having its home office in Amsterdam,
Holland. Its service was crippled during the war, but it was
reestablished in October, 1919. It supplies a freight and
passenger service every fifteen days between the following
points:
Amsterdam, Holland, La Havre, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello,
Curaçao, Puerto Colombia, Cartagena, Puerto Limon and Cristobal.
The vessels now in service are the Stella, Crynssen, Styvessant
and Orange Nassam.
=HARRISON LINE=
This is a British line, established in June 28, 1875, with
its home office in Liverpool, England. It supplies a monthly
freight and mail service between the following ports:
Liverpool, Barbadoes, Trinidad, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello,
Curaçao, Puerto Colombia, Cartagena, Colón, Beloge, Puerto
Barrios, New Orleans, Galveston, Liverpool.
The vessels in service are the Dictator, Author, Orator,
Senator and Benefactor.
=LEYLAND LINE=
This is a British line, operating between the same ports as
the Harrison Line, and also has its home office in Liverpool.
It supplies a semimonthly freight and mail service between
these ports. The vessels now in service are the Antillian,
Alexandrian, Median, Nortonian, Nobian Asian and Nossian.
These two British lines are most important as freight and mail
carriers, the passengers carried being relatively small in
number.
=LA VELOCE LINE=
This is an Italian line having its home office in Genoa, Italy.
It was established in 1890 and supplies an irregular freight,
passenger and mail service between the following ports:
Genoa, Marseilles, Barcelona, Teneriffe, Trinidad, La Guaira,
Puerto Cabello, Caracao, Puerto Colombia, Cartagena, Port
Limon, Colón and Genoa.
Its vessels in service are the Europa and Bologna.
=TRANSATLANTIC ITALIAN COMPANY=
This is another Italian company operating steamships between
that country and the Americas. It is a new company, the service
having been established August 10, 1920, with home office in
Genoa, Italy. Its itinerary comprises the following ports:
Genoa, Marseilles, Barcelona, Cadiz, Teneriffe, Trinidad, La
Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Curaçao, Puerto Colombia, Cristobal,
Balboa, Guayaquil, Callao, Mollendo, Arica, Casigua, Aristo,
Fagasta, Valparaiso and Genoa.
This line is equipped with three 12,000 ton motor vessels of
recent design; the San Georgio I, San Georgio II, and San
Georgio III, and supplies a passenger and freight service.
These ships carry merchandise and raw material from La Guaira
and Puerto Cabello to less accessible ports like Ciudad
Bolívar, and from the latter port to the northern coast this
company is rapidly increasing the number and tonnage of its
vessels and undoubtedly will be an important factor in the
commercial progress of Venezuela in the years to come.
* * * * *
In referring to the great European steamship lines which touch
Venezuelan ports I mentioned the fact that a combination to control
freight rates existed. This is simply an agreement by which these
companies agree on maximum and minimum rates to be charged on certain
classes of goods. Undoubtedly such pooling has its disadvantages, since
it tends to keep competition out of the field.
We come now to a consideration of the one American line operating
between New York and La Guaira, _i.e._, the "Red D Line" of steamships.
I have purposely saved this for the last since, in considering this
subject from an American viewpoint, it is naturally the most important.
This line carries the mail, passenger and freight from American ports
to those of Venezuela, and is responsible to a great extent for the
proper delivery of merchandise sold to Venezuelan companies by American
firms.
The Red D Line has its home office in New York City, with branch
offices in Caracas, San Juan, P. R.; Curaçao, W. I.; Puerto Cabello and
Maracaibo. It is under contract with the United States Government for
the transportation of mail, and supplies a weekly service between New
York, Porto Rico, Curaçao and Venezuela.
In regard to rates and charges, among the most important of this
company's regulations are the following:
(1) Rates are assessed per cubic foot, or 100 pounds ship's
option, except as otherwise provided.
(2) Packages containing different articles will be charged the
tariff rate for the highest class article contained therein.
(3) Packages of more than $100.00 in value must be noted on
ships receipts when such goods are offered at the pier. Charges
on packages of this kind will be in addition to tariff 3/4 of
1% on all values over $100.00 per package. This company will
not be liable in the event of loss or damage from any cause
whatever as detailed in bills of lading, for more than $100.00
per package unless such value is shown on shipping receipts and
extra freight paid thereon.
(4) Minimum charge to San Juan, P. R., $3.00; to Curaçao,
Maracaibo, Coro and Puerto Cabello, $5.00; to La Guaira, Ven.,
$5.00 plus wharf dues.
(5) Heavy or bulky packages by special arrangement only.
(6) This company requires two copies of bills of lading to
San Juan, P. R., and Curaçao, D. W. I., and five copies to La
Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Maracaibo and Coro, Venezuela.[9]
[9] Red D Line Freight Tariff No. A-1.
There are many additional regulations covering special cases, which it
is impossible to enumerate here. For those interested I would recommend
a copy of the Red D Line Freight Tariff No. 1-A, which may be secured
at any of this company's offices.
The ships now in service for this line are the Caracas, 3,000 tons;
Philadelphia, 2,500 tons; Merida, 630 tons, and the twin screw
steamers Maracaibo and Zulia, 1,800 tons each. Two additional vessels
for use on this line are now under construction in the States.
At the present time, however, it is to be regretted that comparatively
poor and irregular service exists between the two Americas. American
salesmen and business men operating in Venezuela constantly complain
of delays in forwarding mail and merchandise resulting in financial
loss for themselves and creating dissatisfied customers. Considering
the existing monopoly in communication, it is surprising that trade
between Venezuela and America has progressed to the extent that it
has. Venezuela is a rich country and can supply many varieties of
agricultural products to the United States; on the other hand, she must
look to the United States for manufactured goods, machinery, etc.,
to enable her to prosper. There is a wonderful opening for American
capital in the country of Simón Bolívar, but it never can be fully
realized until ocean communication between the two sister republics is
greatly improved.
CABLE COMMUNICATION
Cable communications with the exterior are at present monopolized by
the "French Company of Telegraph and Cables," through a concession
which lasts until 1929. This privilege is based on the first article
of contract which governs the Company's relations with the Government
of Venezuela; the privilege is exclusive and the controlling lines run
from La Guaira and La Vela, ports of Venezuela, to the Dutch Island of
Curaçao, thence to the Republic of Haiti, and thence to New York and
France. The price per word from Venezuela to New York is five bolivares
(approximately one dollar under normal exchange) but because of various
tariffs assessed by the company, and extra charges in delivery, the
rates usually exceed that figure. Moreover the service is poor and
uncertain, interruptions are frequent and a cable can not be depended
upon in matters of urgent importance. The company has not improved its
service and methods to meet the growing needs of an expanding business.
Something must be done to solve this difficulty of cable communication
before the potentialities of Pan-American trade can ever be realized.
But it can not be solved without the abolition or modification of the
present monopoly.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
Closely linked with the question of cable communication is the problem
of establishing wireless communication with foreign countries. In this
connection the recent severance of relations with Germany resulting
in a scarcity of materials and high prices greatly retarded the
installation of an improved wireless system with the outside world.
But on October 15, 1919, the government of the Republic of Venezuela
decided to call for bids for the construction of a wireless telegraph
station in the neighborhood of Caracas, the capital of the Republic.
The geographical situation of Caracas is as follows: Latitude North
10°-30'-24". Longitude 4°-25'-4" West of the Meridian of Greenwich. Its
altitude above the sea level is 922 meters and its distance from the
Caribbean Sea 10 kilometers. Caracas is separated from the coast by a
branch of the Andes Mountains which, in that part nearest to the city,
are 1,800 meters above sea level.
The technical conditions of the plant are:
(1) The station must be of sufficient capacity to communicate
with similar stations in Europe and the United States of
America.
(2) The station shall contain a plant for the emission of loud
voices and another plant for the emission of subdued voices
intended for communicating with wireless stations not yet
equipped with the system of loud waves.
(3) The necessary electric power will be furnished by a
private concern in the shape of 190 volt, 50 cycle, 3 phase,
alternating current as used in Caracas.
(4) Furthermore, the installation shall include a set of
reserve motors.
The bids must contain:
(1) The general plan of the plant and the necessary detailed
plans and cuts drawn on a convenient scale.
(2) A general description of the apparatus.
(3) The time necessary for its construction.
(4) Total cost of the station. The amount will be paid in
Caracas in quarterly installments, cash, at the end of each
quarter, in accordance with the progress of the work. The
government will retain 10% of the amounts of each payment,
which sum will be paid to the contractor after compliance with
the provisions of the next article.
(5) The assumption of an obligation by the bidder to manage
the station during six months after its completion as a proof
of delivery in good working order. After this has been proved,
the aforesaid 10% of the cost of the work will be paid to the
contractor.
[Illustration: BOLÍVAR'S HOME IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH STATUE OF
THE HERO, CAPTAIN RICAURTE]
[Illustration: ON THE ROAD FROM MARACAY TO CARACAS]
The bids must be sent to the Minister of Fomento of Venezuela
before the last day of June, 1920. On the last day of August,
1920, in a Cabinet Meeting, the bid which in the opinion of
the Federal Executive offers the greatest advantage will be
accepted, while the Government reserves the right to reject all
bids if it is deemed convenient.
Any responsible construction concern--national or
foreign--specializing in this work may send in a bid.
The importance of this proposed wireless station is very evident to
those interested in Venezuela, and its prosperity. By establishing
direct and efficient communication between this country and America and
Europe, it will open the way to vast trade possibilities.
Having thus discussed the three methods of communication which are of
paramount importance in foreign trade, we can not but realize that
Venezuela has been working under a serious handicap. However, she has
made great progress in the last decade and it is to be hoped that under
a wise government she will continue her sound trade policies and before
many years will take her proper place among the leading commercial
nations of the world.
_Philip D. Sullivan._
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
Pronounced improvements in the political, economic and social life of
the Republic of Venezuela have been effected within the last few years
by the construction, upon a broad and comprehensive scale, of a system
of national highways totalling, in extent of completed roads, 2,900
kilometers (approximately 1,800 miles). These have been specifically
designed to bear the burden of motor transportation both of passengers
and freight, as well as of all classes of vehicular and equestrian
traffic. Built primarily with a military objective, these roads already
have come to serve the routine needs of peace, while being at all
times available for the exigencies of war. They provide a means for
the quick mobilization of the Venezuelan army of 50,000 men at any
of the principal strategic points of the country. Infantry, cavalry
or artillery may with equal facility and despatch pass over any of
these roads to a given rendezvous. The broad, smooth highways compass
distances, grades and defiles that hitherto presented almost impassable
barriers to the quick and flexible movement of military forces.
If heretofore the army suffered from a lack of adequate transportation
facilities, the commerce of Venezuela too was woefully handicapped.
One of the greatest and most coveted of Venezuela's assets is her
magnificent coastline of hundreds of miles on the Caribbean Sea. To
realize the serious difficulties under which her rich interior labored
in seeking an egress to foreign markets, it need only be noted that
until the completion, during the last decade, of the highway system
with its three separate routes from three chief ports of the republic
to the capital and interior centers of industry, the country had the
use of only two railway lines. These lines were well constructed, it
is true, but offered an indifferent service at a prohibitive tariff
with amazingly excessive wharf and terminal charges. The only available
alternative to these consisted of old Spanish trails up and down the
mountain sides where the necessity of walking in single file hazarded
the necks of man and beast.
With respect to the technique of construction and maintenance of the
highways of the new system, local considerations and the requirements
of the major volume of traffic normally moving into or out of a given
section have been carefully taken into account. On the level stretches
of the extensive llanos in the interior, advantage has been taken of
natural dirt bases for roads that have come to sustain the burden of
the enormous production of cattle, grain, corn, coffee, cotton and
sugar sent forth from those fertile plains. On the precipitous mountain
slopes of the massive watershed that divides the highland llanos from
the sea, macadam has been the principal material used; this has been
true also in other mountain districts of the Republic. In general,
American and English principles of roadbed construction have been
employed and great numbers of steel bridges and not a few suspension
bridges have been designed, imported and set up by leading American
bridge-building corporations.
The improved route from Caracas to Guatire has made the latter
accessible at all times to the capital. The route from Caracas to
Barquisimeto supplies a direct road from the capital to the center
of the Venezuelan Andes, while the one from Maracay to Ocumare de
la Costa leads directly to the sea at the point of juncture of the
two greatest highways, opening the way to the agricultural and cattle
raising industries of the central region of the Republic.
The Great Eastern Highway leads from Caracas through the states of
Miranda, Auzoategui and Bolívar to the mineral region of interior
Guayana. The Great Western Highway connects the center of the Republic
with the remotest western regions, leading from Caracas to Valencia,
San Carlos, Guanare, San Antonio de Caparo and San Cristobal. It
crosses the most densely populated part of Venezuela and promises
to be, in the near future, the principal artery of communication.
Telegraphic connection is constantly maintained between the road
engineers and the minister of public works. The highway from Turmero
to Calabozo is likely to become the bond of union between the great
eastern and western highways. It has maintained traffic for the first
time in the llanos during the rainy season, thus furnishing a constant
outlet for the wonderful productivity of this region. Steam rollers
and other standard mechanical apparatus have been employed in the
construction work, while recently the authorities have commenced to
use the superficial petrolization process for laying the dust and
counteracting the impairment of the roadbed by the rapidly increasing
automobile traffic.
The equipment of the highways has brought to the fore another
characteristic and interesting Venezuelan institution--the road
workmen--who fulfill a dual function in the task they assume when a
road or section is completed: that of attending to, or assisting in,
its upkeep or repair, guarding against violation of the regulations
laid down for its use by the public, and otherwise policing a stretch
that is three kilometers upon macadam roads and two kilometers upon
natural dirt roads. The "peones camineros" represent but another and
latter-day application to public service of the marvelously faithful,
intelligent and efficient common labor of the country.
The mileage mentioned above is practically for motor vehicles and is
constantly used by the 2,000 passenger cars in active service. Had the
new road system been inspired and carried into execution by American
builders for the advancement of their own people's interests, they
could scarcely have served more thoroughly the purpose of American
commerce. From the outset, these roads have operated to strengthen this
country's position as a producer and exporter of automobiles. Thus a
vital public improvement, undertaken by the Venezuelan Government,
operated primarily to establish an altogether new market for one of the
chief industrial products of the United States. Yet despite the fact
that the capital of Venezuela, Caracas, has a population of 100,000
and boasts of having 1,000 automobiles or one car for every hundred
citizens, relatively few motor-trucks are to be seen there or, in fact,
elsewhere in Venezuela.
Nevertheless, it requires neither seer nor prophet to foresee
practically unlimited opportunities throughout the land of Bolívar
for every kind and class of American manufactures, from agricultural,
mining and factory machinery to the smallest articles of merchandise;
and this as the direct result of the building and extension of the
Venezuelan highway system. For transporting these manufactures from
ship's side to interior communities--some of them Spanish colonial
settlements that have flourished for almost four hundred years but
which until now have not known American importations--there is only one
logical and available instrument,--the American motor-truck.
RAILROADS
The standard gauge of the United States and Canada, 1.435 meters
between rails, was adopted by the National Congress of 1912, an act
necessary for any great capacity of railroad transportation as well as
the assurance of an immediate and adequate supply of materials.
Laws were promulgated June 12, 1917, and June 4, 1918, for the
concession, construction and operation of railroads by domestic and
foreign companies or individuals, containing the following provisions:
1. That all enterprises be approved by the National Congress;
that all controversies be settled in Venezuelan courts; that
one-half of the employees be from Venezuela, and that no
interest be guaranteed by the government on capital invested.
2. That complete plans of any railroad project be submitted to
the minister of public works prior to beginning operations,
and that deposits of money be placed in the national treasury
as a guarantee of integrity.
3. That regulations and standard measurements be carefully
observed; also provisions for roadbeds, crossings, etc.
4. That the right be reserved to the National Government to
take over railroads after forty years of service, if desired.
5. That rival lines in close proximity to those already
constructed be prohibited, and that branches or prolongations
of existing lines be permitted in accordance with regulations.
6. That rates fixed by owners be approved by the public
ministry; that mails be carried free, and that reductions be
allowed to government employees; and materials destined for the
improvement of public works shall be transported at reduced
rates.
7. PRIVILEGES: that no oppressive taxes be levied on railroads;
that a fair proportion of unclaimed lands be conceded to
railways; that free transportation be allowed railway
construction material; that railways be permitted to erect
telegraph and telephone lines provided the government be
granted gratuitous use of them; and that the employees be free
from military service, except in case of international war.
There are twelve railroad systems in Venezuela at the present time with
a combined length of 600 miles and 40 millions of dollars invested
capital.
1. =The Bolívar Railroad Company= owned and financed by the
English with a working capital of $5,914,075 was the first
railroad of Venezuela. The road is 88½ kilometers long, the
gauge 0.61 meters. It has 165 bridges and 20 stations; the
route is from Tucacas to Aroa. The number of passengers carried
in 1919 was 24,408, and during the same period freight amounted
to 38,820 tons.
2. =The La Guaira-Caracas Railroad= is over 23 miles in length
and carries the greatest part of the products of the country;
it serves more than half of the central part of the republic.
This railroad is the most important railroad in Venezuela,
because it has direct connection with the Valencia and Puerto
Cabello Railroad and the railroad going to Ocumare de la Costa.
The length is 35.5 kilometers, the gauge 0.915 meters. There
are 10 bridges, 8 tunnels and 9 stations and the route is from
La Guaira to Caracas. It is owned by the English with a capital
of $4,175,000. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was
73,305 and freight amounted to 76,335 tons.
3. =The Valencia-Puerto Cabello Railroad Company= is the second
most important railway in Venezuela and performs the same
service as the La Guaira to Caracas Railroad. It is owned and
financed by the English with a working capital of $4,141,000.
It has a length of 54 kilometers, the gauge is 1.07 meters and
there are 23 bridges, 1 tunnel and 6 stations along the route
from Valencia to Puerto Cabello. The number of passengers
carried in 1919 was 53,990 and freight amounted to 55,121 tons.
4. =The Grand Railroad of Venezuela= is owned and financed by
Germans with a working capital of $15,000,000. The length is
179 kilometers, the gauge 1.07 meters, there are 212 bridges,
86 tunnels and 25 stations. The route is from Caracas to
Valencia. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was 211,442
and freight amounted to 76,335 tons. The rolling stock of
this road consists of 18 locomotives, with a combined weight
of 720 tons, 30 passenger coaches, 68 flat cars, 60 box cars
and 19 stock cars. The passenger tariff equals 6¼ cents per
mile for second class and 7.78 cents for first class. Freight
rates are equivalent to 15.65 cents per ton mile. The freight
traffic is small and nearly half the revenue is from passengers
carried. The management attempted some development work in tree
planting, the introduction of new crops, and the improvement of
stock, but the grasshopper plague affected the results.
5. =The Guanta-Barcelona Railroad= is owned and financed by a
Venezuelan company with a working capital of $300,000. This
road is 18.5 kilometers long, the gauge 1.07 meters; there
are 4 bridges and 6 stations. The route is from Guanta to
Barcelona. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was 13,553
and freight amounted to 28,863 tons.
6. =The Railroad of Carenero= is owned and financed by
the French with a working capital of $1,576,800. It is 33
kilometers long, the gauge 0.915 meters; there are 57 bridges
and 5 stations; the route is from Carenero to San José. The
number of passengers carried in 1919 was 20,037 and freight
amounted to 6,923 tons.
7. =The Maiquetia-Macuto Railroad= is owned and financed by the
English with a working capital of $100,000. The length is 7
kilometers, the gauge 0.915 meters; there are 8 bridges and 4
stations. The route is from Maiquetia to Macuto. The number of
passengers carried in 1919 was 430,668 and freight amounted to
2,563 tons.
8. =The Central Railroad of Venezuela= is owned and financed by
the English with a working capital of $3,484,500. The length
is 60 kilometers, the gauge 1.07 meters; there are 23 bridges,
14 tunnels and 7 stations; the route is from Caracas to the
station Tereza. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was
326,945 and freight amounted to 22,971 tons.
9. =The La Ceiba Railroad= is owned and financed by a
Venezuelan Company with a working capital of $1,600,000. The
length is 81.5 kilometers, the gauge 0.915 meters; there are
43 bridges and 5 stations; the route is from La Ceiba to
Roncayolo. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was 9,649
and freight amounted to 21,706 tons.
10. =The La Vela-Coro Railroad= is owned and financed by the
Venezuelan Government with a capital of $208,000. The length is
13.5 kilometers, the gauge 0.915 meters; there are 8 bridges
and 3 stations; the route is from La Vela to Coro. The number
of passengers carried in 1919 was 6,681 and freight amounted to
10,828 tons.
11. =The Grand Railroad of the Táchira= is owned and financed
by a Venezuelan Company with a capital of $1,500,000. The
length is 115 kilometers, the gauge 1.07 meters; there are 3
bridges and 13 stations; the route is from Uraca to Táchira.
The number of passengers carried in 1919 was 19,070 and freight
amounted to 19,562 tons.
12. =The Santa Barbara-El Vigia Railroad= is owned and financed
by the Venezuelan Government with a working capital of
$600,000. The length is 60 kilometers, the gauge 1.07; there
are 37 bridges and 3 stations; the route is from Sta. Barbara
to El Vigia. The number of passengers carried in 1919 was
11,940 and freight amounted to 17,821 tons.
On several of the main roads traffic is lighter now than twenty-five
years ago, and notwithstanding the fact that rail transportation costs
no more than that by pack mule, scarcely any of the railway enterprises
have earned a fair return upon the capital invested, though certainly
transportation has been quickened and rates have been steadied, if
not cheapened. The principal reasons for this lack of earning power
lie in the sparseness of the population, and its distribution along
a long narrow strip of territory skirting the seaboard, a condition
which leads to the building of unconnected lines with short hauls.
Contributory reasons are the moderate producing and consuming power of
the people, and the general refusal of the lines to grant low rates for
the transportation of commodities of small value.
The waterways of Venezuela, numerous and general as they appear on the
map, are singularly disappointing on closer investigation. The great
Orinoco is a fine natural highway, it is true, as far as Pericos, some
600 miles from the mouth, but here the river is broken by the rapids
of Atures, and beyond by those of Maipures, hence it is impossible for
large boats to pass through to the upper river. The Apure, Arauca,
and Meta are, of course, useful means of communication with the
Colombian border regions and the southwestern llanos, but the numerous
tributaries on the north side are generally too variable in depth for
permanent traffic, and those on the south, as we have seen, are broken
up by rapids for practically their whole length.
On the other hand, if we take the positive value of the river
highways, rather than their actual extent, we shall see that they are
of considerable importance; the rivers of Guayana and of the eastern
llanos may be of little use for large boats, but the Orinoco forms
a great, central artery, from which roads, and perhaps eventually
railways, can diverge to the limits of the basin. Some of the llano
tributaries, too, are navigable for steamers, and thus the State
of Apure is now kept in communication with the outside world. Then,
too, there is the great advantage accruing to the State of Zulia from
its central lake, with its many tributary navigable rivers, along
which large boats can travel throughout the greater part of the State
and on to the boundaries of those of the Andes, as well as into the
neighboring republic of Colombia. Along most of these natural and
easily utilized lines of communication there are already services of
steamers, nothing very advanced, it is true, but still a beginning.
The most important of the accessible regions of the country are the
great plains stretching from east to west of the Orinoco and Apure
rivers, well suited to cattle raising, the rich alluvial region east of
Lake Maracaibo and the rich agricultural region around Lake Valencia.
Although these vast plains are open ranges covered with natural grasses
for cattle feeding, conditions, in general, are not those prevailing
in the Argentine Republic. The climate is much more tropical; tropical
diseases are prevalent, and the river valleys are subject to overflow
in times of high water. The higher lands farther north along the foot
hills of the coast range generally lack sufficient water during the dry
season of the year, which is December to June. Much could be done to
remedy this by the introduction of water through modern irrigational
devices.
The future of Venezuela depends primarily on her own people, upon whom
devolves the duty of developing in a conscientious and painstaking
manner the many resources of their country. It is certain that in the
task which lies before them they will need and obtain assistance of
foreign capital and advice, and in this, if American enterprise is
alive to a great opportunity, we as a nation should bear no small part.
_Edward Fanning._
AGRICULTURE IN VENEZUELA
The Agricultural Zone of Venezuela covers about 300,000 square
kilometers, according to recent statistics, and extends from the
Atlantic Ocean to Colombia, embracing the territory between the
Caribbean seacoast and the plains of the Orinoco towards the south of
the country.
Venezuela has fertile soil, perfect adaptability to the growth and
maturity of everything that is essential to the existence of man
and beast, mild climate, with temperatures varying according to
the elevation of the land and latitude, and strategic geographical
position. These favorable conditions designate Venezuela as one of the
most attractive and advantageous regions for agricultural pursuits.
Twenty per cent of the population are engaged in agricultural work,
but this proportion is far from being sufficient for an extensive
development of the natural resources of this vast area. It is
estimated that a population one hundred fold greater could derive a
comfortable subsistence from this agricultural region. This vast area,
including such a great number of square kilometers, should become one
of the most prosperous, rich and accessible agricultural fields of
the world following an increase in population, greater and improved
transportation facilities, and with the introduction of new methods of
cultivation and more general application of modern machinery.
The principal agricultural products of Venezuela are: coffee, cacao,
sugar, tobacco, India-rubber, tonka-beans, cotton, corn, vanilla, wheat
and kindred products.
The vegetable seeds are also numerous and consist of vetches, bean
seed, peas, beans, peanuts and okra.
The vegetable plants consist of: cabbage, cauliflower, melons,
asparagus, turnips, radishes, beets, egg plants, garlic, pepper,
celery, carrots, cresses, onions, spinach, lettuce and artichokes.
The fruits of Venezuela, of which there are many different species,
include: oranges, large sweet lemons, limes, plantains, pineapples,
pomegranates, figs, grapes, strawberries, plums, breadfruit, chestnuts,
mangoes, zapotes, parchas, medlars, tamarinds, cactus fruit,
mandarines, and a great variety of bananas of a very high quality.
There is a vast region available for the raising of bananas, but, up
to the present no use has been made of it and there is a very small
amount of capital invested in the production of this fruit ($100,000 in
American gold).
COFFEE
The cultivation of coffee in Venezuela began in 1784. At the present
time, it is estimated by experts that there are about 260 million
coffee trees under cultivation, which place Venezuela second among the
coffee growing countries, according to recent statistics.
Coffee is produced in the temperate climate regions of the Republic
from five hundred to two thousand meters above sea level. It is
estimated that coffee trees last from forty to fifty years, yielding
an average crop of one-eighth of a kilogram of coffee beans per tree.
Sixteen million dollars are invested in coffee trees in Venezuela at
the present time.
CACAO
Venezuela possesses one of the choicest cacao zones of the world. The
natural cacao (Theobroma edenda,--edible food of the Gods) is a seed
from a tree indigenous to the soil of Venezuela. From this seed the
chocolate of commerce is made. As the cacao tree requires for full
development and good crops a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and
a moist air, therefore the Venezuelan lands along the coast of the
Caribbean Sea, sloping from the mountain tops to the shore, and which
are bedewed by the exhalation of the sea and irrigated by the many
rivers coursing down the valleys, are found to be well adapted in all
respects to the very profitable cultivation of cacao. It is, however,
also found and cultivated in other parts of Venezuela.
About two hundred trees may be planted in one hectare (about two and
one-half acres) and they must be protected from the sun by shade trees
until they have acquired normal size. Five years after having been
planted the trees begin to bear two crops a year, ripening in June and
December. The average life of a tree is about forty years. The seed is
similar to a shelled almond; about sixteen of these seeds are enclosed
in an elongated pod ribbed like a musk melon. The pods are of a yellow
and red color and when they become ripe turn purple. On being gathered
and heaped in piles on the ground, after a few days they ferment and
burst; then the seeds are shelled, washed and housed.
There are two grades of cacao grown in Venezuela, namely,--the criollo,
which is the native cacao, and the trinitario, which was originally
imported from the Island of Trinidad. The criollo, a very high grade,
grows especially well in the valleys situated near the sea, where the
temperature is warm and moist.
The demand for this product in Europe before the war was considerable
and large quantities were exported annually. In Spain and Italy cacao
is used in the form of chocolate, whereas in France, England and the
former German Empire, it is chiefly used in the manufacture of sweets
and confections, but its use is becoming so varied and extensive that
it will soon be a staple article of consumption as universally needed
as coffee or tea. Venezuelan cacao also finds a ready market in the
United States where it is known as Caracas and Maracaibo Cacao.
As the cacao-yielding region in the world is comparatively restricted,
the planters of this staple need not fear the increasing competition
which has been met in the cultivation of other staple products. At
the present time it is estimated that $12,400,000 are invested in the
cultivation of cacao in Venezuela.
TOBACCO
Tobacco, discovered by the Spaniards in Yucatan, was introduced from
there to the West Indies and thence transplanted to Venezuela, where
it is most successfully cultivated in Capadare, Yaritagua, Mérida,
Cumanacoa, Guanape, Guaribe and Barinas. Excellent tobacco is grown
near Cumaná, that from Guacharo being considered exceptionally good.
The plant thrives best in humid and fertile soil. Cultivation requires
about six months in Venezuela before it is ready for the market, and
while the cost of cultivation is not large, great care is required.
Some tobacco is exported from Venezuela, chiefly to Havana, where it is
mixed in the manufacture of Havana cigarettes.
The different classes of tobacco grown in Venezuela are distinguished
according to the regions where they are produced. These regions are
_Maturin:_
This grade of tobacco is produced chiefly in Venezuela and is used in
the manufacture of Venezuelan cigarettes. It is one of the better known
classes of tobacco entering foreign trade. This class of tobacco has:
1. Leaves which are light with relation to their bulk.
2. Medium strength, agreeable aroma.
3. It will keep in good condition for a maximum of two years but then
begins to rot and completely loses its strength.
_Capadare:_
This class of tobacco is considered to be better than the Maturin
tobacco. It maintains its strength and does not rot until three or more
years after it has been gathered. It has a very agreeable taste and its
weight as compared with its bulk is greater than that of the Maturin
tobacco and does not burn as fast as the latter. It is classified into
first and second class tobacco by the gatherers.
_Salon:_
On account of the very fine leaves and aroma which this tobacco
possesses it is used as the outer leaf in making fine cigars. It burns
well, is light in relation to its bulk and is classed by the gatherers
as Cover, Inner-cover and Core tobacco.
_Golfero:_
This region is on the shores of the Gulf of Cariaco and has recently
been planted with Havana tobacco seeds and is now producing a superior
quality. It has strength, aroma of a fine quality and burns very
well. It lasts about two years without rotting and on account of its
steady strength and agreeable aroma, it is very much demanded by the
manufacturers of cigarettes. It is divided into Principal, Half-tree
and Sprouts.
_Guaribe:_
This tobacco is rather strong, has an agreeable taste and aroma but as
a general rule does not burn well. It is used in the manufacture of
cigarettes, in small proportions, in order to give strength. It is also
divided into Principal, Half-tree and Sprouts.
_Cocorote_:
This tobacco is mostly used in the manufacture of cigarettes. It has a
delicate leaf, is light in weight, has considerable strength and good
taste. It is classified as Cover, Inner-cover and Core tobacco.
_Guacharo_:
This tobacco is produced near the Gulf of Cariaco in the vicinity
of the Guacharo Caves. It has an exceptional and superior strength,
a better taste and finer aroma than any other tobacco, not only of
Venezuela but of any place in the world where tobacco is cultivated.
There is only a small supply of this kind of tobacco because it will
not grow in any other region on account of the very mature strata
formation. The leaf is small and delicate; there is consequently
a great demand for it from the cigar manufacturers. Cigarette
manufacturers can not make use of it because the quantity produced is
too small.
PRODUCTION OF TOBACCO
The annual production of the different classes of tobacco in Venezuela
varies a great deal according to the conditions of the season and
the demand for the product. The approximate output between the years
1914-1919 was estimated at more than 3,000 tons from the different
regions. The average production above referred to is liable to increase
to a considerable extent provided the demand requires it, as soil fit
for tobacco cultivation is plentiful. The price of tobacco naturally
varies with the supply and demand and an increase of exports of tobacco
contemplated in the near future will tend to increase the prices. The
total value of tobacco exported from Venezuela in 1917 amounted to more
than $50,000; in 1918(?) the exportation amounted to more than $800,000.
The total amount of capital invested in Venezuela in the cultivation of
the tobacco plant is estimated at $2,000,000.
INDIA RUBBER
Rubber, which was discovered in French Guiana in 1758, is called
"caucho" or "goma elastica," in Venezuela. The rubber produced in the
Orinoco, Cassiquiare and Rio Negro sections of Venezuela comes from
forests of Heveas. There are other species of rubber trees but their
sap is less elastic and much thicker. The tree is found in plentiful
quantities throughout the Guiana section and the Andes Range, and in
some States of the East, West and South of Venezuela. More than twenty
tribes of Indians inhabiting the Amazon territory of Venezuela gather
rubber and prepare it, but, as a general rule, in a very primitive
manner.
In the Orinoco region the Hevea tree produces from 40 to 50 grams of
juice; in that of the Rio Negro from 80 to 100 grams and in that of the
Cassiquiare from 125 to 150 grams per tree.
Due to the fact that this product as well as many others of the country
are gathered within the vast territory bordering on Brazil, they are
exported through the Brazilian port of Para and reach American and
European markets as of Brazilian origin.
Rubber trees when cultivated in a scientific manner yield an average of
95% of pure rubber, each tree producing about 460 grams of juice.
The exploitation of rubber in Venezuela may be considered as limited
entirely to the gathering of the natural product on a small scale, as
the many million acres producing rubber would require several million
people to exploit them. The investment of capital on a large scale is
required to develop this important industry. First and most important,
labor must be induced to come to Venezuela in order to develop this
immense natural resource now scarcely touched. The world demand for
this product is great and rubber would undoubtedly be a profitable
investment for American investors if undertaken in a systematic and
technical way. It is estimated that not more than $1,200,000 are
invested in the rubber industry in Venezuela.
SUGAR CANE
Sugar cane is indigenous in Venezuela and cultivated with good
results. Lately, Sugar Cane Central Factories have been established
to manufacture the products of the sugar cane. These plants equipped
with the best modern improvements as to buildings and machinery have at
their disposal sufficient capital to enable them not only to supply the
home consumption but to export their products in considerable quantity.
The climate and the fertile soil of Venezuela are the principal factors
in the production of sugar cane, as it grows everywhere in Venezuela
except in mountainous parts lacking irrigation.
Four species of sugar cane are cultivated in Venezuela, namely:
Criolla, the Otati, the Batavian and the Salangore.
The Criolla is cultivated to the largest extent on account of its
sweetness and good results.
The planting and cutting of the sugar cane is controlled in such a
manner that there is always in the plantations sufficient cane reaped
and ready, in order to avoid interruptions in the grinding during the
whole year round. To ensure this continuity of crops, the soil must be
kept well irrigated at all times.
The region near the Lake of Valencia produces longer and thicker canes
having more juice, but they contain less sweetness.
Sugar plantations are usually divided into _Tablones_ covering ninety
meters square, each lot separated by a road. Such lots, when well
manured, irrigated and sown with sugar cane, produce sixty to eighty
loads of "papelon" (brown sugar), or 160 loads of alcohol: that is,
5,120 cones of brown sugar weighing 8,129 kilograms or 9,600 liters of
alcohol. Every plantation of any importance has a special building with
the necessary machinery and equipment for manufacturing the different
sugar products. These are: sugar, brown sugar, alcohol and rum.
Brown sugar is offered for sale molded in different forms such as
cones and squares. The best quality of sugar produced in Venezuela is
manufactured near Guatire, a town three hours distance from Caracas
by motor truck or automobile. Rum is manufactured from sugar cane and
alcohol. The previously mentioned Sugar Central Factories command an
aggregate capital of $7,700,000, have a total of 12,800 hectares of
sugar cane under cultivation and can produce 2,600 metric tons of
sugar per day. This product at present commands a high price abroad;
therefore, with proper management these plants now offer a Venezuelan
product for exportation in large quantities and of a very fine quality,
and for which without much difficulty they should be able to establish
a wide market.
As far back as 1913 there existed 600 individuals and companies devoted
to the cultivation of sugar cane, with an aggregate total capital of
more than $10,600,000 invested in this industry.
WHEAT
This product was introduced into Venezuela by the Spaniards at the
beginning of the conquest and was cultivated in Aragua, Barquisimeto,
Trujillo, Mérida and the Táchira. The high table lands and valleys
in the mountainous regions of Western Venezuela are available for
cultivation of wheat. Fine crops of this grain are now raised, which,
after being made into bread, is the chief breadstuff of all classes of
the country.
In the Republic of Colombia wheat is cultivated on a large scale with
good results both in cold, temperate and hot zones. Venezuela has
similar zones, therefore by sowing the proper kind of grain in each
zone as practiced in Colombia and by adopting the same or similar
systems of cultivation as are there used, wheat could easily be raised
in Venezuela not only for home consumption, but for export.
COTTON
Cotton, although a natural product of Venezuela, was not cultivated
until 1782. Its output became important during the Civil War of
the United States, but after that event and the subsequent great
decline in prices of this staple product, the industry was gradually
abandoned. The cotton tree attains the height of a shrub and under
usual cultivation produces in Venezuela more than in the United States.
At the beginning of 1800 the average exportation of cotton was 450,000
kilograms a year. In 1850 the export of cotton was of 300,000 kilograms
and in 1888 of 57,000 kilograms. In 1913, 267,300 kilograms of cotton
with a commercial value of $72,120 were exported.
Cotton grows in nearly the whole territory of Venezuela, but the best
results have been obtained in the States of Aragua and Carabobo, which
produce 54% of the total Venezuelan crop.
The farmers sow cotton when they plant corn or beans during the month
of July and the crop of cotton begins to be gathered at the end of the
month of November or the beginning of December. This depends upon the
time when rains permit the sowing. The crops of corn or beans pay the
expense of the whole cultivation of the cotton and the only outlay
in the raising of cotton is the gathering. It is estimated that the
production of cotton in Venezuela in normal times, excepting droughts,
locusts, etc., amounts to 7,000,000 kilograms in the seed. There is
an average of 28.5% cotton in the seed, therefore, 1,995,000 kilograms
of seeded cotton are produced. The cotton seeds which were sown in the
month of June, 1918, began to give a crop in the month of December of
the same year, and the gathering of said crop ended in the month of
March, 1919. It has been estimated that this crop produced a total of
1,995,000 kilograms of seeded cotton grown in the various states of the
Venezuelan Federal Union.
The price of cotton in Venezuela during the last eight years
(1911-1919) has fluctuated between Bolivars 70 to 150 per 46 kilograms.
The last price of 150 Bs. per 46 kilograms was the one paid at the end
of the 1919 crop, due to the high price of cotton in the United States,
the country producing the greatest amount of cotton in the world.
Since Venezuela produced in 1919 a total of 1,995,000 kilograms of
seeded cotton which were sold at an average of 3.25 Bs. per kilogram,
the total value of the Venezuelan cotton crop amounted to Bs. 6,483,750
($1,296,750 American gold).
Venezuelan cotton is classified as Cotton No. 2. (Egypt produces
cotton No. 1.) Due to the difference in seeds, soil, cultivation on a
small scale, etc., Venezuelan cotton is mixed in such a manner that
a standard quality of uniform length of fibre is not obtainable in a
given lot. For this reason the price of Venezuelan cotton is always
somewhat less than that of the medium class cotton from the United
States.
The State of Zulia produces the best quality of Venezuelan cotton, due
to the length of its fibre and because it is more advantageous when
manufactured, but as the cloth industry in Venezuela is not intensive
enough to warrant the classification of fibres, this advantage is not
noticeable in the aggregate cotton trade of Venezuela. The cotton plant
gives but one crop a year and requires to be replanted every year. At
the present time it is estimated that $200,000 are invested in the
cultivation of this product.
TONKA BEANS
These beans, which are exported from Venezuela on a large scale, have
the shape of a large black almond and give out a delicious perfume.
When dry their peculiar perfume develops still more and it is used as
an odorous basis to make high grade perfumes, and to flavor tobacco.
The bean is a natural product and needs no cultivation, as a general
rule; it is gathered in the Tonka forests existing in the Amazon
territory and the District of Cedeno, in the Venezuelan Guianas. Tonka
beans are a staple of great value in the regions watered by the Orinoco
River and its tributaries, and almost the entire crop of Venezuelan
Tonka beans are exported by the way of Ciudad Bolívar.
The gathering process formerly in use brought about the destruction
of the trees, but the Venezuelan Government has taken the necessary
measures to prevent the trees from being felled as was formerly the
case. The large trees now in existence are being protected perfectly.
In the year 1913 Venezuela exported more than half a million kilograms
of tonka beans having a commercial value of $727,800. One or several
well organized companies with the necessary capital at their command
would derive great profit from such exploitation.[10]
[10] Agricultural Year Book of Venezuela, 1913.
VANILLA
Venezuela produces an uncultivated vanilla plant called "_vanilla
lutescens_," but that commonly known to commerce is the more aromatic
kind called "_vanilla plantifola_." The cultivation of this product has
not been fostered to any great extent. It grows readily in the rich
soil of the States of Falçon, Lara, Bolívar, Anzoatequí and Zamora.
No official figures are available as to the production, cultivation
or export of this product, although there is a good opportunity for
further development.
COCOANUTS
There are many cocoanut tree plantations in Venezuela, chiefly in the
regions of Zulia, Carabobo, Bolívar, Barcelona and Cumaná. Cocoanuts
are used for various reasons abroad and in the United States, therefore
the cultivation of this natural product could be fostered so as to
make it an article of export on a large scale and it would become a
profitable investment not requiring a large capital. In 1913 there were
invested in Venezuela in the cultivation of cocoanut trees $1,095,200.
INDIAN CORN
This product is successfully cultivated in all the States of Venezuela
where it grows in every kind of soil, from the level of the sea to
2,800 meters above it. It thrives best, however, at an altitude of 500
to 1,000 meters. There are about 73,131 acres in Venezuela devoted
to the production of corn, and the total amount raised is estimated
at 150,000 metric tons. Special attention has lately been paid to
the cultivation of corn, which is the real bread-plant in Venezuela,
especially in the interior of the country, and a considerable quantity
of Indian corn has been exported.
BEANS
Beans are also successfully grown in all the States of Venezuela and a
great variety of them are produced. Those having the greatest demand
are the "black beans." Their production not only meets the domestic
demand but they have been lately exported in considerable quantities.
They grow readily at all times of the year and are one of the principal
articles of domestic commerce in Venezuela.
INDIGO
This product was introduced into Venezuela in 1777 and planted near La
Victoria and later in many other places. The best quality was produced
at San Sebastian. Due to the high price attained by coffee many years
ago, the cultivation of indigo was abandoned. In 1902 the exportation
of indigo amounted to 1,876,510 pounds having a value of $2,450,000.
This product has now sufficient demand in foreign markets to warrant
the revival of its cultivation as a remunerative exportable commodity
of Venezuela.
* * * * *
During the year 1917-1918 the products exported from the agricultural
zone of Venezuela amounted to $10,400,000; in this zone there is now
invested $46,600,000. A presidential decree of March 12, 1917, created
an experiment station of agriculture, live stock, and forestry with a
garden of acclimatization to be located at Cotiza near Caracas. Its
purposes were stated to be:
The study of improved methods of cultivating the agricultural products
of the country; the introduction, selection and distribution of seeds;
experiments in reforestation; preparation of reports upon nature of
soil and most adaptable crops from each region, with practical work for
the training of agricultural foremen and forest rangers.[11]
[11] Memoria del Ministerio de Fomento, 1918.
Other purposes are:
To maintain circulating agrarian libraries, to promote expositions,
to form nurseries of exotic plants, to introduce new agricultural
machinery and implements, and to supply all possible information and
assistance to the country.
In the following table the amount of capital invested
in Venezuela in the cultivation of its eight principal
agricultural products is shown.[12]
Coffee trees $16,000,000
Cacao 13,000,000
Balata and rubber 2,000,000
Cocoanut trees 2,000,000
Tobacco 2,000,000
Bananas 500,000
Cotton 400,000
Sugar cane 11,500,000
------------
Total $47,400,000
[12] Informe del Ministerio de Fomento, 1919, p. 44.
The following table shows the principal products exported from
the Agricultural Zone of Venezuela from 1917-1918,--weight in
Kilograms and values in Bolivares.[13]
_Products._ _Weight in kilograms._ _Value in Bolivares._
1. Cotton 3,067 4,930
2. Starch 248,801 104,307
3. Sugar 13,260,562 5,526,798
4. Cacao 20,280,865 10,603,372
5. Coffee 34,123,145 29,190,622
6. Bananas 377,636 58,205
7. Indian Corn 21,360,191 4,878,173
8. Brown sugar 5,440,551 1,427,161
9. Tobacco 297,579 324,436
----------- -----------
Total 95,392,397 B. 52,118,004
[13] Informe del Ministerio de Fomento, 1919.
THE FOREST ZONE OF VENEZUELA.
This vast region extends from the Gulf of Maracaibo over the mountains
of Yaracuy, San Felipe, Aroa, Tucacas, San Camilo, Guayana and its
territories, and from the untouched forest of the Trujillo and
Barquisimeto mountains to the fertile woodlands of the State of Zamora.
The Forest Zone of Venezuela comprises about half of its territory; of
this half, 98% is still virgin land, a fact which may be regarded as
one of the principal hopes for the progressive future of the country.
The Zone has an area of 795,640 square kilometers, from which over two
thousand specimens were exhibited in Caracas at one time. From this
immense region Venezuela can derive natural resources of unlimited
wealth, when sufficient labor and capital are available, better means
of transportation established, and more modern machinery and implements
introduced.
The following figures show the division of the Forest Zone of
Venezuela:
Public Forest Lands 295,400 sq. kilometers
[14]Private " " 125,000 " "
[14] Informe del Ministerio de Fomento, 1919, p. 27.
The Forest Zone of Venezuela comes within the forest area of South
America. Richest in quantity, and, probably in variety of vegetable
life, is the well-known land of Guayana, with its vast forests, hot
climate and heavy rainfall. Within this area the plants range from the
alpine shrubs and reindeer moss found on some of the higher plateaux
and hills to the bamboos and orchids of the river banks. The high
timber trees grow fairly close together, and their spreading tops
fifty, eighty, or one hundred feet from the ground, with the abundant
hanging manes and flowering creepers, keep all but a feeble light from
the ground; hence it comes that the undergrowth is usually sparse or
absent, and progress on foot is comparatively easy.
Of all the forest giants of Guayana, "_Schomburgk_" is considered the
most magnificent; the average diameter of the trunk is about three
feet, and it seldom branches at less than forty feet from the ground.
Its wood, dark red and fine grained, is said to be excellent for
shipbuilding purposes.
_Caoba_, whose wood is very like mahogany in color, and a certain
big tree called "rosewood," which it resembles, are notable among
the timber trees. The huge _Ceibas_ have a soft, easily worked wood,
excellent for the dugout canoes of the Indians. The equally large
_Mucurutu_ or cannon-ball tree furnishes a beautiful but hard grained
timber.
Two fruit trees whose products are well known throughout Europe grow in
the regions of Guayana, the _Brazil nut_ and _tonka bean_ trees.
The gums and resins of Guayana include the balatá, copaiba-balsam, and
rubber-producing trees, the latter chiefly varieties of _hevea_, while
_cinchona_ or _quinine_, with innumerable creepers and trees possessed
of medicinal or toxic properties are found on all sides. There are more
than 2,450 known species of plants to be found in the Forest Zone and
more are being added to the list daily; it is probable that in such an
assembly there must be many of value as yet undiscovered and unused.
The forest plants and trees of Guayana also flourish in the Delta
Region and in the forests bordering the Llanos of Maturin, but the
vegetation of Northern Venezuela is generally different from that of
the South. The great brown plain of the Llanos is beautified by small
golden, white, and pink flowers, while sedges and irises make up much
of the small vegetation. The banks of the rivers often support denser
groves of _ceibas_, _crotons_, _guamos_, etc., and along the banks in
front of the trees are masses of reeds and semi-aquatic grasses.
In the region of the Cordilleras many different types of vegetation
can be found in the various zones. The very hot section has generally
a heavy rainfall and supports thick forests, but along the sea coast
there are barren stretches with only cactus, acacia, croton, and
similar plants. In this region we have the plantations of cacao, sugar,
bananas, plantains, maize and cassava, which are the staple foods
of the inhabitants. The growth of cocoanuts is also encouraged. In
addition, there are many products of the forests, chief of which are
the dyewoods, and tanning barks, including logwood, dividive, mangrove,
indigo, and many others. There is also a great deal of valuable timber
in this region, the chief woods exported being mahogany and cedar.
In the cooler regions we find a mixture of hot country plants and
those of the mountains. One may see in the same valley, within a short
distance of one another, bananas, potatoes, sugar cane, wheat, yuca or
cassava, peas, maize, cotton, cocoa and coffee, all flourishing, and a
single orchard may contain guavas and apples, peaches and oranges, and
a variety of other fruits; the garden adjoining will have a mixture
of roses, carnations, violets and dahlias and many tropical flowers.
Strawberries, mint, nasturtiums and other of our garden plants have
been successfully grown in these mountain regions within 10 degrees of
the equator.
The higher part of this region exhibits a great variety of plants
peculiar to this zone. Along the mountain roads can be seen palms,
screw-pines, and beautiful tree ferns, also cranberries, blackberries,
ivy, quinine-trees, small bamboos, silver-ferns, and many other
beautiful plants and shrubs. In short, here can be seen the greatest
variety of color and floral scenery.
In the cold region of the Cordilleras the small woods of the temperate
zone gradually die out, and toward the snow line we have the alpine
grasses, heaths, and thick leaved, aloe-shaped plants which have lumps
of resin clinging to their roots, and seem to take the place of pines,
which are not found in Venezuela.
The value of the products of the Forest Zone of Venezuela exported
during 1917-1918 was more than $1,800,000. The capital invested in the
cultivation of this zone amounts to more than $2,000,000.
_Matthew J. Heiler._
THE CATTLE INDUSTRY IN VENEZUELA
This report is based chiefly on conferences and trips with Dr.
Martínez Mendoza, Director of the Agricultural Experimental
Station, and on notes which he very kindly furnished. The
following references have also been consulted:
"Venezuela." Handbook prepared by Dr. N. Veloz Goiticoa for the
Ministerio de Fomento.
The Annual Reports of the United States Consul at La Guaira,
for 1916 and 1918.
"Venezuela" by L. V. Dalton, 1918.
The article on "Venezuela" in the Encyclopedia Britannica has
been consulted.
Venezuela has an area of approximately 393,976 square miles and a
population of over 2,848,121.[15] From these figures one may see that
the country is very sparsely settled, and that the first requisite of a
cattle country is met,--that of plenty of open land.
[15] Figures of 1917. Latest census is expected to show some increase.
The main occupation of the people is agriculture. Stock-raising is
next in importance and promises soon to be the leading industry of
the country. Yet, even though the industry is now important, it is
developed to such a slight extent, in view of its possibilities, that
the past history means little and statistics mean but little more.
The wars for independence, internal strife, political unrest and a
certain lassitude on the part of the people have greatly hindered the
development of the industry in the past.
There exist no authentic source material or statistics covering the
cattle industry in Venezuela. Only during the last few years has the
Government succeeded in convincing cattle raisers of the importance of
accurate statistics and led the way itself by beginning systematically
to compile them.
The following statistics are, consequently, approximations and consist
for the most part of rough estimates. They were obtained from the
1919 booklet of N. Veloz Goiticoa and were officially edited by the
"Department of Fomento" and are, consequently, the most nearly correct
and authentic which could be obtained and also the most complete.
Still, as stated before, it is not the past in which we are interested,
so much as the future, and hence we shall merely quote the available
figures and then dismiss them from further consideration.
_Number of Cattle in Venezuela._
1804 1,200,000
1812 4,500,000
1823 256,000
1833 2,437,150
1839 4,617,560
1847 5,503,000
1864 5,800,000
1873 3,302,670
1883 8,591,860
1894 6,345,560
1899 6,059,480
In 1919 it was estimated that there were only 2,600,000 head of horned
cattle within the country.
The figures of 1915-16 for live-stock show:
Horses 191,000
Goats 1,700,000
Sheep 177,000
Cattle 2,000,000
_Live-Stock on the Hoof Exported From Venezuela from 1831 to 1918._
1831 1,825
1847 15,976
1852 13,316
1882 5,929
1898 24,000
1901 60,000
1903 60,000
1904 60,000 _Wt. in Kilograms._ _Value in Dollars._
1915 18,339 5,415,000 259,800
1916 18,267 5,115,000 246,000
1917 18,333 5,195,000 325,000
1918 19,020 5,343,000 308,000
_Exports of Frozen Meat from 1915 to 1918._
_Years._ _Carcasses._ _Wt. in Kilograms._ _Value in Dollars._
1915 17,847 2,197,240 196,663
1916 18,267 3,315,990 334,216
1917 18,335 4,978,420 398,273
1918 -- 5,867,770 467,867
In 1917-18 the exports of the "Pastoral Zone" were:
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