From this editorial it would appear that there has been considerable
material and moral progress in the country since the close of the last
civil war.
I am expecting printed copies of President Baéz’s message, and when
received I will forward the same to the department.
[Inclosure.]
paraguay—the president’s message.
[From the Buenos
Aires Herald, April 19,
1906.]
The message of the President of the Republic of Paraguay read at the
opening of the ordinary sessions of Congress on the 1st instant,
considered as an indication of the very considerable material and
moral progress realized in that country since the close of the last
civil war, is a document pregnant with more than usual interest.
We are impressed, from its attentive perusal, with the manifest
improvement in the general situation, evidenced as it is by the
influx of foreign capital and the development of the nation’s
resources, due to the regular working of its institutions and the
growing sense of social and economic security.
As evidence of these assertions we have the fact that La Industrial
Paraguaya, as stated in the opening part of the message, has
increased its capital from eight to thirty million dollars. This is
the most important limited liability company in the Republic, but in
its wake we have the insurance company La Nacional, with a capital
of five millions; La Paraguay, with ten millions; La Paraguay, a
carrying company, with two millions; La Selratica, with three
millions; El Quebracho de Puerto Maria, with five millions; El Gran
Hotel del Paraguay, with one million, etc.
The national exchequer.—In 1905 the customs
receipts reached a total of ₱22,467,970, as contrasted with
₱8,428,705 in 1900, and the product of the internal taxation has
doubled.
The extract of quebracho, together with the yerba mate, is now one of
the most important items in the national revenue. The Crane dues of
1 centavo gold have produced in five months a total of ₱381,888, and
the tax of 46 centavos gold to be paid per cubic meter on
exportation has not yet begun to be levied.
The President promises the adoption of measures tending to reduce the
standard currency and to fix the same so as to obviate the
fluctuations which are so detrimental to business transactions.
The message continues:
“The establishment of a standard currency will accrue naturally from
the regularization of our financial system, at present still in
embryo; from the development of the institutions of credit, which
will cheapen loans and foster national production; from the regular
investment of the public revenues in such a manner that the ordinary
budget may be normally served without being thrown out of
equilibrium by extraordinary expenses, as, for instance, special
taxation and loans.”
The President states that an agreement has been arrived at with the
railway company, which will be submitted to the consideration of
Congress; he recounts the history of this affair, which has certain
unfortunate phases, and concludes as follows:
“That which is of importance for the nation is not the repurchase of
the railway nor the acquisition of the value of its shares for
$1,050,000, but rather the improvement of the railway service and
the construction of branch lines in other directions.
“This railway, in spite of deficiencies in its working, has rendered,
and continues to render, important services to the country. By its
means it is possible to export great quantities of wood and other
products which feed our international commerce and contribute to the
public revenues. If this railway were to disappear Paraguay would
return to the life of isolation, poverty, obscurity, and ignorance
in which have vegetated our country districts for the last fifty
years.”
International relations.—With reference to
this point the President mentions that the Republics of Argentina
and Brazil cultivate the most cordial and neighborly
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relations with Paraguay, and that
the commercial policy of the Argentine Republic is entirely
favorable to Paraguayan interests.
On the question of boundaries he expresses himself as follows:
“Bolivia has sent to Asuncion a new plenipotentiary with a view to an
amicable solution of the territorial differences existing between
the two countries. I refer to the mission confided to His Excellency
Dr. Emeterio Cano. As the just desires of that friendly nation
coincide with those of Paraguay, the Government has hastened to
appoint a special plenipotentiary, in the person of Dr. Manuel
Dominguez, to agree upon a new boundary treaty with the Bolivian
diplomatists. With the Argentine Government there has been an
agreement entered upon for the determination of the principal arm or
channel of the river Pilcomayo, in consequence of the award in
arbitration of President Hayes. This operation, purely technical as
it is, is identical with that undertaken with Brazil in the matter
of the determination of the river Apa.”
Administration and political matters.—Public
instruction, roads, army organization, immigration, and colonization
receive very attentive consideration from the President in his
message. With respect to the latter topic, he enunciates an
important reform in the following paragraphs:
“The ambition of the immigrant is the possession of a certain extent
of land, as personal property for himself and family. The
legislation in the matter only accords him, at cost price, an extent
not greater than 20 hectares, which is insufficient for his personal
needs, and likewise fails to meet his legitimate aspiration to leave
behind him an inheritance that can be divided amongst his heirs.
“For this reason there should be granted at least from 75 to 100
hectares to each family of agriculturists whose productive capacity
is in excess of the value thereof.”
President Baéz concludes his message by eulogizing a policy of
conciliation between the various parties and by declaring that he
will call to public posts men of any and every party, without
requiring from them any other qualification than that of
fitness.
