File No. 5316/157.
[Inclosure—Translation.]
Message of the President of
Guatemala.
More than half a million pesos were spent in bettering sanitary
conditions by the board of health, the various departments of which
gave complete satisfaction. There has not been a case of contagious
disease on our coasts and no quarantine has been established against
our ports. During this year more than a million persons have been
vaccinated or re vaccinated in the country, and this sanitary
measure is being followed with such activity that in a few months we
may be able to say that Guatemala is at the head of the countries
whose people are immune from smallpox, as it already occupies, a
distinguished place in sanitary matters.
As per report of the minister of finance, the public revenue for the
year 1909 gave a total of $49,239,722.93, giving a surplus of
$18,739,722.93 over the sum estimated by the National Assembly,
which was for $30,500,000.
The expenses of the administration amounted to $38,412,807.54,
besides $32,141,453.70 expended by the department of finance, which
makes a total for the year 1909 of $70,554,261.24. This increase is
due entirely to the fluctuations of exchange.
I hope that through the peace and tranquillity enjoyed by the
country, and as a result of the laudable efforts to better as far as
possible the financial condition of the country, I may very soon
report to the honorable assembly some arrangement or loan that may
fill the aspirations of the Guatemalan people and of their
Government, a matter which is as delicate as it is important.
It has been my constant purpose and sincere endeavor to surround with
every kind of guaranty and facility the investment of foreign
capital in our country, whether it be in commerce, agriculture, or
industry, thus favoring the immigration not only of persons but of
capital, in order to bring about the economical evolution initiated
and which will completely change conditions in our country. I have
always desired that my administration be considered as one of hard
work, and morally and practically I have lent my energy to progress
in that respect, developing public education and giving it powerful
stimulus, so that its influence be decisive. In the other branches
of national progress I have endeavored that this progress should be
as great as the circumstances and the elements in our power
permitted.
Activity can find, in this country, an unlimited field. Thousands of
miles of new highways and roads have been constructed connecting
towns to agricultural centers. The interoceanic railway is open to
the commerce of the world, and the plans are complete for the
building of railways to the frontiers of Mexico and El Salvador, and
also the fine which will reach Quezaltenango and from there be
extended to the other northern Departments. These facilities have
brought more traffic and titles have been issued for more than
30,000 “caballerias” of lands of the public domain all over the
Republic, this with the object of making a large distribution of
lands which will make farms, thus increasing the number of small
property holders, which means an increase of wealth, both public and
private, and will help to develop the important branch of
agriculture.
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The Republic of Guatemala has commenced to be visited by numerous
American and European travelers attracted by the facilities offered
by our new interoceanic railway and by the different lines of
steamers touching at our ports. Most of them are tourists who come
to admire the natural beauty of our country, and the day is not very
far away when this delightful climate will bring here many tourists
escaping from the severe cold or heat of our neighboring northern
countries. The number who came seeking business opportunities is
also considerable, for in consequence of a fertile soil and the
guaranties offered by civilized institutions they wish to develop
new industries and invest capital profitably.
Our country offers an unlimited field to progress, and it is expected
that following the path she has cut out for herself, dedicating all
efforts to labor, which is the best guaranties for peace, she will
advance with sure and firm steps to the conquest of a beautiful
future, replete with ever-growing prosperity and aggrandizement as a
reward to her efforts.
Manuel Estrada C.
Guatemala, March 1,
1910.
