From the United States is imported a great variety of articles, railway cars and locomotives, automobiles, machinery of many kinds, sewing machines, typewriters, apples, general merchandise, and other articles without end.
Railways are being rapidly extended and planned for the future, and aside from the rubber business every kind of industry and commercial activity may be pursued amid agreeable and healthful surroundings.
It is desirable that one wishing to enter into business of any kind in South America should make the tour and see for himself the character of the country and the opportunities offered. At the very least, he should read a number of the many books which have been written, although some of these contain a few errors and others which have been published ten years give wrong ideas on account of the rapid changes; from perusing several of the latest works a fair idea of conditions will be gained. Also the poor consuls will be grateful, both those of the United States in foreign countries and their representatives here, if people will at least use an atlas and a geographical reader if nothing more before writing letters, so that they will not bother these hard-worked officials with absolutely foolish questions. It should not be necessary for consuls to give information which every schoolboy ought to possess, although I fear he does not.
When children and grown people are ignorant of the names of the capitals of the various States in the Union, it is perhaps too much to expect them to know whether Lima is on the East Coast or the West, or whether Argentina is a breakfast food or a fish. If my labors incite others to seek further information and especially to make the delightful South American Tour, I shall feel that I have performed a genuine service.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A list of some recent books on South America is appended. By no means complete, it includes works for the most part easily obtainable. While some of these present merely superficial observation, and few profess to be exhaustive, all to the average reader will be more or less instructive and entertaining. A legitimate difference of opinion exists as to people, places, and possibilities; other contradictory assertions arise from too hasty judgments. Errors, however, are generally of minor importance, although in some cases wrong impressions of people and places are conveyed. On account of rapid changes the books published within the last five or eight years are especially valuable; yet some of those earlier written supply important information on particular subjects. To gain a fair idea of the various countries several general works should be read and a few of those on the individual Republics.
Monographs on each of these, published by the Pan American Union, may be procured at $1.00 a copy.
The large and handsomely illustrated volumes on Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Brazil by Marie Robinson Wright, with some negligible extravagance of compliment, contain much that is of value and hardly procurable elsewhere; historical information and descriptions of the general aspect, the resources, and the conditions of the various countries, presented with unusual fulness, accuracy, and elegance.