tier in 1908, and this line was designed to extend to Tupiza. The
undertaking of the Arica-La Paz line by the Chilean government, also,
was an important step towards the improvement of the economic situation
in Bolivia. Both these lines offer the country new outlets for its
products.

Public highways have been constructed between the large cities and to
some points on the frontiers, and subsidized stage coaches are run on
some of them. The roads are rough and at times almost impassable,
however, and the river crossings difficult and dangerous. The large
cities are connected with one another by telegraph lines and are in
communication with the outside world through Argentina, Chile and Peru.
Telegraph service dates from 1880, and in 1904 there were 3115 m. in
operation, of which 1936 belonged to the state and 1179 to private
corporations. The latter includes the lines belonging to the Antofagasta
and Oruro railway, which are partly within Chilean territory. Bolivia is
a member of the International Postal Union, and has parcel and money
order conventions with some foreign countries. Special agreements have
been made, also, with Argentina, Chile and Peru for the transmission of
the Bolivian foreign mails.

The loss of her maritime department has left Bolivia with no other ports
than those of Lake Titicaca (especially Guaqui, or Huaqui, which trades
with the Peruvian port of Puno), and those of the Madeira and Paraguay
rivers and their affluents. As none of these can be reached without
transhipment in foreign territory, the cost of transport is increased,
and her neighbours are enabled to exclude Bolivia from direct commercial
intercourse with other nations. An exception formerly existed at Puerto
Acre, on the Acre river, to which ocean-going steamers could ascend from
Para, but Brazil first closed the Purus and Acre rivers to foreign
vessels seeking this port, and then under a treaty of 1903 acquired
possession of the port and adjacent territory. Since then Bolivia's
outlet to the Amazon is restricted to the Madeira river, the navigation
of which is interrupted by a series of falls before Bolivian territory
is reached. The Bolivian port of entry for this trade, Villa Bella, is
situated above the falls of the Madeira at the confluence of the Beni
and Mamore, and is reached from the lower river by a long and costly
portage. It is also shut off from the navigable rivers above by the
falls of the Beni and Mamore. The railway