817.154/66
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Hanna) to
the Secretary of State
Managua, October 5, 1929.
[Received
October 9.]
No. 1180
Sir: With reference to my telegram No. 239,
September 30 (11 a.m.), concerning the Department’s wishes with respect
to the attitude of Commander Warfield in the matter of a road
construction program in [Page 703]
Nicaragua, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of Commander
Warfield’s preliminary report which he has submitted to the Legation in
response to the Department’s wishes.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Extract]
Commander Ralph M.
Warfield, G. N., to the American Chargé in
Nicaragua (Hanna)
Roads are better suited to Nicaragua’s present needs than additional
railroads. The hauls are short and imports and exports can be
economically handled over roadways. The present Ferrocarril del
Pacifico de Nicaragua extends from Granada on Lake Nicaragua to
Corinto, a seaport on the west coast via Managua, Léon and
Chinandega. This serves the area west of the Lakes and with roads
from Managua to Matagalpa and Jinotega, and a road from Sébaco to
Ocotal via Estelí most of the population and the best developed
agricultural lands will be served and much undeveloped agricultural
land made of value.
The eastern section of Nicaragua is sparsely settled and future
development can be made to this area as population increases to
justify it.
Nicaragua is primarily an agricultural country and the development of
its rich coffee lands and other fertile area in agricultural
production is essential to prosperity. Roads are necessary to
provide for the transportation of these agricultural products and
the imports and supplies required in their production.
Sufficient engineering data has not been obtained to provide the
basis for an accurate estimate of the cost of the road construction,
but it is believed that on the route from Sébaco to Ocotal
recommended, construction of macadam road eighteen feet wide with
three feet shoulders, culverts and proper ditches, can be provided
for (twelve thousand to fifteen thousand per mile) $12,000 to
$15,000 per mile including all bridges except the one over the Coco
River near Ocotal.
