Venezuela, an economic report / Presented by students of the School of Foreign Service, as an aid to the foreign trade of the United States

by Georgetown University. School of Foreign Service

Here, then, lies the prime investment of the country, a proper system of railroads to make these rich natural resources available. These projects have already been discussed widely, and Doctor Vicente Lecuna, President of the Bank of Venezuela, considered the most prominent man in the country, named railroads as the greatest need of the country and the best investment for foreign capital.

Here we may be permitted to digress for a moment to point out an unique advantage which Venezuela holds in regard to commerce with the United States. Due to the opening of the Panama Canal, Venezuela can ship as easily and quickly to the western part of the United States as to the eastern and thus effect a considerable saving on trans-shipment of goods by rail across the United States. Further, the proposal holds much favor here to-day for the introduction of a steamship line to Saint Louis which would be quicker and cheaper than the present line to New York. Thus we see that three direct lines might be maintained from the States to Venezuela, one from some western port via the Canal, a second from Saint Louis which would transport the goods to the Middle West; and, lastly, an expansion of the present service from New York.

Venezuelan Students Depositing Wreath before Statue of George Washington, Caracas, July 4, 1920

Georgetown Students Depositing Wreath at the Tomb of Simón Bolívar in the Pantheon, Caracas, July 4, 1920

Here too a word would not be amiss relative to the present service from New York. The Red D Line maintains a fleet of four passenger ships, the largest being of three thousand tons and the time consumed from New York to La Guaira usually nine days. The need for more and better ships is obvious. With improved service, there is no reason why Americans in search of a cool spot to visit in the summer time should not come to Caracas situated, as it is, three thousand feet above sea level in a mountainous country and with a wealth of that beautiful scenery found only in the tropics.

PROPOSED RAILROADS

1. San Felipe to Puerto Cabello.