Cultivation of Groundnuts.
The sandy lauds of many parts of Goajira are also admirably adapted for the cultivation of groundnuts. I would suggest that the Government import and dis- tribute few cwts. of the best oil-yielding variety, with the view of encouraging its cultivation amongst the Indians for export.
The Exploitation of Natural Products.
Salt.
By far the most important natural product exploited in the peninsula is salt. The principal wealth of the northwestern part of Goajira lies in salt; salinas occur- ring along the coast practically throughout the whole extension of the peninsula. I am informed these saliuos are capable of producing annually no less than a million of sacks. The present production is, however, limited, owing to the fact that there are other salings nearer the centers of consumption, for example: Santa Marta, Barranquilla and Cartagena. In competition with these centres of production, the product of Goajira, owing to the question of situation, works out at a higher cost; only by a reduction by the Government of the derechos de consuno could the salinas of this peninsula be worked to greater advantage. In 1915 the production amounted to 30,022 sacks, and during the present year (1916) 34,030 sacks have been despatched and there is a balance awaiting despatch of 35,250. The labour em
ployed in the extraction of the salt are Indians of both sexes, and in the season of collection there are times when there are as many as one thousand Indians em- ployed a proof that the Indian can be harnessed to work.
Of other natural products skins and divi-divi rank in first importance, and the latter is not by any means exploited to the full extent possible.
Quika Resin.
A new product found in this peninsula is that known as Qüika resin. This is produced by a small tree, Cercidium spinosum, Tulasne, and the trunk and branches are covered with a layer of this resin; even the roots, when exposed to the air, become covered with resin. A single tree should yield several pounds of this proditet, and as it is very abundant in certain parts, it should prove an important new article of export if its value is such as I believe it to be. Samples have been forwarded to Europe for examination and report.
Tacamaca.
At the extreme end of the peninsula is found another resin which may also prove of export value. It is known as Tacamaca and to the Indians as Aría. It is af- forded by a small tree which I take to be a species of Bursera. The question of its properties and commer- cial value is being investigated.
Training the Youth of Goajira,
The advantages to be derived by the Departamento and the Nation should, in course of time, well repay any extra outlay necessary in Administration. Little can be done probably with the older generation, but efforts should be made to employ them as herdsmen and in agri- culture and not try to educate them, Attention should be directed to the instruction of the young Indians, with- drawing them as far as practicable from the environ- ment and influence of their parents, and accommodating them in establishments where they will be taught Spanish, arithmetic, to read and write and be cate- chised. More particularly should they be instructed in handicrafts, such as carpentry, smithwork, weaving, rupemaking (utilizing the native fibres), batmaking and other industries that will prove useful and valuable.
Administration.
An efficient Administration would require a chain of Stations around the Coast, which, connected by tele- graph, would also serve as Coastguard stations and help to control smuggling. Administrative Stations would also be necessary at all populated centers in the in- terior. Such an Administration manned by sympathetic and competent officials who understand the Indians. their customs and language, would doubtless produce a moral influence and command the respect of the Indians.
THE GOAJIRAN INDIANS.
A Government Asset. What has most impressed me as the result of this journey, apart from the question of possible industries, is the value to the Nation of the Indian population of Goajira. In my opinion the Indians are a valuable asset to the Government, in spite of the occasional hostility of certain of the tribes.
The Indian Population,
The Nation, if it is to develop its vacant lands, must have recourse to colonization by encouraging immigra- tion; this is a big question and the difficulties in regard to it are not reduced by the present European War. Here in this peninsula is a valuable native colony already established, estimated officially at 40,000. There is a great divergence of opinion as to the exact number, some as low a5 estimating as high as 50,000, others 25.000. Whatever the number may be, there is no doubt that it is being reduced by emigration to Venezuela and deaths from malaria, etc.
Owing to a succession of bad years, and to the ab sence of local industries which would afford them em- ployment at home, many Indians have emigrated to Venezuela. The remedy lies in the provision of water at all populous centers to secure the establishment of permanent homes. To encourage the cultivation of cot- ton and groundnuts, home industries that will afford
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them employment and a livelihood that will help them to establish a home life and domestic ties.
Malaria.
As I have already mentioned, a good mumber of In- dians have this year (1916) died from malaria. This should not give the impression that this peninsula is unhealthy, as the prevalence of malaria this year is un- doubtedly due to the very exceptionally heavy rains. I noted, however, that there was a complete absence of any measures to remedy the situation. The Govern- ment of India, in order to deal with the malaria of that country established Cinchona plantations and placed quinine within the reach of the poorest subject, by putting up small packets of this specific and distributing same at the small charge of half a centavo each. Some- thing might be done in this way in regard to the out- lying and distant parts of Colombia, particularly since Cinchona is indigenous to the country.
Instead of allowing this valuable asset to dwindle in value, every effort should be made to encourage the increase of population. If there are 50,000, and accord. ing to my informants there were at one time more, the object should be to discourage emigration and try to reduce the death rate, so as to maintain as strong and prosperous a colony as possible for the development of the peninsula.
COMMUNICATIONS.
There are no roads in Goajira, merely tracks. Com- mmunications are desirable, but the question is an ex- ceedingly difficult one, Roads to be of use in the wer season would be of little or no service in the dry, in view of the circuitous route they would have to take to avoid the flooded lands, and the fact that in the dry season everyone would use the most direct route when the country is dry and passable in all parts. The construction and maintenance of roads in Goajira would prove a most expensive undertaking, an expense which I do not consider at present justified, and I therefore
Route.
A Goajiran Indian
cannot recommend that the Government should consider the question for the moment. The first necessity is to provide water at all the most important native and cattle centers; when this has been done it will be time to consider the question of linking up these centres with roads.
LA PROVINCIA DE PADILLA,
From Rin Hacha we left on December 6th for Valle Dupar. We proceeded via Trinta to Fonseca, visiting Barrancas from the latter town. Thence to Valle Dugar via San Juan del Caesar and Villa Nueva, visiting Oru- mito and the Sierra Montaña from Villa Nueva.
Maguey, Brasilwood and Divi-divi. The first day's journey from Rio Hacha was through sandy lands alternating with clay soil in parts. The vege tation of the sandy lands comprise generally, as in the case of the Goajira peninsula, small spreading trees and
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lush; while the clay lands support chiefly cactus trees, Opuntias, etc. In the sandy lands I noted the Maguey fibre plant (Furcraca macrophylla, Baker) abundant in various parts, but unfortunately always in waterless areas, so that its commercial extraction would be very difficult. Brasil-wood and divi-divi are also found in abundance. In the evening we reached a small rancheric known as El Abra where we camped the night. The distance from Rio Hacka to El Abra is computed at five and a half leagues, and the lands through which this road passes do not impress me of being of any agricultural importance, being in the main of poor char- acter and waterless. Nevertheless they produce natural
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