The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-12-14
THE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL.

The most striking event which has
happened in the political world for
some time is the revolution which
has just taken place in Brazil. The
revolution was at once sudden and,
as far as can be learned, peaceful,
and by it a ruler who had held the
title of Emperor for fifty eight years,
who had been Emperor in fact as
we'll as in name for almost half a
century, and who had earned the
reputation among foreign nations of
a wise and progressive sovereign,
was set aside, his monarchy subvert-
ed and a republic established in it's
place. A commission representing
the revolutionists notified Dom
Pedro of his deposition and directed
him to leave Brazil within twenty
four hours, offering him at the same
time a considerable sum Of money
and provision for the remainder of
his life in the form of an annual
pension. The Emperor acknowl-
edged the receipt of this notification,
declaring that he submitted to the
command of circumstances, and
almost Immediately departed for
Europe.
The new republic has taken the
name of the United States of Brazil,
and will consist of the provinces Of
the old empire, as states, united by
federation. Each of these states
will send one representative to a
congress which will convene shortly
for the purpose of adopting new
constitution. Universal suffrage
throughout the republic has already
been decreed by the provisional gov
eminent. With the accomplishment
of this revolution the only national
state in the western hemisphere hav
ing a monarchic form has become a
republic.
Some facts of a general nature
respecting Brazil will, under the
circumstances, be of interest. Brazil
is the largest of the South American
states. It is situated between the
fifth degree of north latitude and
the thirty-fourth degree of south
latitude, the greater part of it lying
between the equator and the tropic
of Capricorn. It has an area vari-
ously estimated at from 100000 to
100000 square miles, and is, there
fore, roughly speaking, about the
size of the United States, exclusive
of Alaska. The latest estimate res
pecting its population, made last
year, puts the population at about
100000, of whom less than half
are whites, the remainder consisting
of metis, negroes and Indians. OF
late years there has been a consider
able increase in the immigration
from Europe, especially from Italy.
The country is divided into twenty
provinces, exclusive of the neutral
municipality of Rio. The three
largest cities are Rio de Janeiro,
which in 1885 had a population of
357 1892; Bahia, with an estimated
population of about 100000, and
Pernambuco, with a population OF
about 10000. Brazil was the last
of the American states to abolish
slavery. A measure for the gradual
abolition of slavery was passed in
1885, and the movement for abolition
eliminated in May last year, when a
final act decreeing total and immedi-
ate abolition was adopted. In res
pect to the provision of means for
internal communication, much still
remains to be done in Brazil. In
1888, however, there were $3.50 miles
of railway open for traffic, besides
$50 miles in process of construction
and 2,100 miles projected. OF the
railways, the government in that
year owned ten lines aggregating
1,444 miles. OF telegraph lines
there were in 1888 about 1900 miles
and ITO stations. The telegraph
system is under government control
There are free public schools
throughout the country, and in some
of the provinces primary education
is compulsory Bradstreet's.