The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-04-01
IMPOSING ON IMMIGRANTS.
The Frauds Used to Induce Immigration to
BraZil--A Warming.

IMPOSING ON IMMlGkANIS.
The Frauds Used to Induce Immigration to
Brazil--A Warning.
An official notice has been issued by
the immigration commissioners of Great
Britain, acting under immediate orders
from the Secretary of State for the
colonies, says the New York Times,
warning intending immigrants from pro-
ceeding to Brazil. The reasons for this
almost exceptional action on the part of
the English government are such as may
at any time occur in the case of other
countries besides Brazil, and although
we do not apprehend frequent rcpeti-
tion of them, the incident is one which
should not pass unnoticed. The govern
ments of Brazil and some of the South
American republics have, for two or
three years past, been making strenuous
efforts to obtain q supply of labor either
from Europe or the United States. To
that end they have represented the ad-
vantages of their respective countries in
glowing colors, and they have made
promises which, if genuine, ought to
have proved a strong attraction. To
some extent the purpose was served.
Families and single men and women
migrated from here and from across the
Atlantic to Rio Janeiro, Buenos Ayres,
and in less numbers to other places in
South America, but only to find all their
expectations disappointed. Their an
ticipations as to soil, climate, and the
demand for labor were not realized. The
promises that had sounded 80 well were
not fulfilled, and, in place of the hearty
welcome that they had been told to look
forward to, they found themselves sur
rounded with populace prejudiced
against their nationalities, and state of
public opinion which was neither liberal
nor tolerant. In this predicament as
many as were able returned home.
Many died of disease or starvation, and
the few who were compelled to remain
have sincerely deplored the day when
they left their native land.
In the case of Brazil, the government
of that country promised free grants of
land to immigrants who would settle up
on them, together with assistance in cul-
tivation. 1t induced some two thousand
persons to go to Rio. But no grants
were ever made, and although three
years have elapsed since the offer was
first put forward, and notwithstanding
the efforts of some of the foreign
ministers in Brazil, not any assistance
has yet been given by the government in
any way to relieve the few families that
were obliged to stay in the country. Yet,
in face of this breach of faith, a new
scheme for drawing a foreign population
has been devised. A new settlement is
proposed. 1t is described as in one of
the richest districts where, i'll few
months, crops can be gathered from
virgin soil, and where there is q conve
nient market for all the produce that can
be grown. Besides which, tramway is
to be constructed immediately to eff
capital. Such is the inducement offered.
But on investigation it turns out that the
place chosen for the settlement is sixty
two miles from the provincial town, and
not less than one hundred and fourteen
miles from the port, from which the city
of Rio can be reached only after voyage
of forty hours more by steamboat.
There is at present no means OF COM
munication from the place Of the settle
ment to either town, and experience has
shown that the Immediate construc-
ton of hundred miles of railroad in
South America is rather vague project.
Under all these circumstances, it seems
that the British government is perfectly
justified in the course it has pursued, and
the warming is one which others besides
British subjects may, perhaps, usefnlly
take into consideration.
But their is something more to be de-
rived from all this. If Brazil and the
Argentine Republic had kept good faith
with their immigrants, it is tolerably
certain that they would have succeeded in
attracting very useful stream ofpopula-
tion. There is no reason why they
should not. South America is wanting
in many of the advantages which take
immigrants to other places, but this
could be counterbalanced by artificial
conditions of favorable character.
Where, however, those conditions come
short of fulfllment, more harm is done
than ii they had never existed. 1t is
that very danger which this country has
to fear. We owe very much to immi.
grafton. 1t has been to the United
States a source of population and Of
wealth. But last year witnessed great
falling off in the number of immigrants
and the fact was undoubtedly due to the
condition of the labor market, and to the
statements made by persons who had re
turned, disappointed, to Europe. Agents
are now busy striving to induce laboreri
and others in Great Britain and elsewhere
to come to America. What may we no
suffer from their too great zeall If they
are successful, and the persons they sent
out to us are disappointed, we shall fine
the main stream of immigration turned
elsewhere, so that when we want it We
may not be able to get it. The labor
market here is, for the moment, wei
supplied in most branches. Everywhere
we hear of people out of employment
and anxious to do anything that viii
bring them a livelihood. While thil
state of things lasts is it wise to try ant
force q current of more labor into th'
country9 We think not. 1t would b.
better to leave immigration for time tt
take it's own course, uninfiuenced in an,
way, and then, when employment be
comes more general, which we hope vii
not be long, the country may reasonabl.
expect to receive all the foreign popula
! tion that it needs.
A Conditional Precedent.