Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-30

perlty for all parts OF the New w oIlu-
Tne fact that a few such articles as the
above, and from one pen only, constitute the
only defense of our interests that has ap-
peared here in the public print, is fully ex-
plained by the fact that practically all the
capital and energy by which America is
represented in the Amazon Valley is here
Tor the sole purpose OF buying rubber for
cash, and hence, is too busy minding its
own business TO be expected to look after the
interests of the American export trade.
The United States Consul, being a news
paper man, and associated with the lntiuen-
Eal journalists in the Amazon Valley, Will
avail himself of anv facilities for spreading
correct information to counteract the per-
niclous influence of the random political
chat gathered up at home 10 be scattered
broadcast here to the detriment OF our Ex-
position and trade. The northern part OF
the Brazilian coast line, ior over three de-
grees. runs almost east and west. facing
toward the north. The $4,000 miles of in
land navigation of the mighty Amazon and
its tributaries at its outlet curves toward the
north. AS it faces, it may be said to have
the appearance of inviting trade from its
sister continent.
INTERESTS NOT IDENTICAL.
North Brazil, or more properly described
under the general term OF the Amazonian
Valley, which in itself is an immense
country, is in almost all respects entirely
distinct from that portion of Brazil lying to
the south. In no particular respect are its
interests identical with those of the country
south. There is no inland Communication
between Rio de Janeiro and the large
States of Para, Maranham, Ceara, Anna
zonas and the greater part of Matto Crosse,
except by ships along the 5000 miles of
coast, and adding another 1000 miles of the
Amazon TO reach Amazouas.
An English official, long q resident IN the
Brazils and familiar with the people. OBJ
served 20 me: The time will surely come
when this country will want to become iu-
dependent from the rest of Brazil" In
further discussing the geographical features
o! this country, l gathered that the English
people, as 4 rule, are not friendly toward the
new republic; so that it is likely that the
wish was father to the opinion"
THE ENGLISH COLONY.
The Englfsh colony here is securely
planted; in numbers the Britons are as ten
70 one as compared with the Americans;
and prob biy, in a business sense, they can
compete with US as 20 to l. As rule they
are personally clever set OF gentlemen.
They do not asSimilate largely with the
marrying in this country; in fact, 1 have
Understood that in some cases the English
firms to which they are nearly all attached
have stipulated in their contracts with those
sent out here that they shall not marry in
this country.
On expressing my surprise at such Il
restriction being placed upon an employe, it
was explained that the purpose was TO avoid
sny business complications with the Gov
eminent which might result from there
being any citizens of Brazil financially in
Jerested in their firms. The English banks
and numerous navigation companies, how
ever, employ large number OF Brazilians;
but these do not in any way become i'm
pOrtant factors in the control of their i'm
Ineuse business interests in Brazil The
capital is held by England, and there the
directorShips are also located; il a word,
the strings are pulled from there, and the
British lion roars or lies down with the
lamb, as his keeper desires to either bulldoze
or entrap his victim.
COMPETITION ON THE SEA.
The agitation of American trade and COM
merce with this. section has seemed in a
manner 10 rouse the British lion from his
leth&rgy, induced by being INDUCED so long
and fed so we'll. As indicated in nv re-
Red Cross" and Booth Line steamship
companies each own ten frst-class steamers,
which have, by the handling of their facili-
ties, practically held a contro! of the trade
from this section 10 Europe and the United
States ior 30 years.
The new American line, so ably controlled
by Captain LachHn, practical as well as
thorough-going American seaman, has as
yet but four ships between Newport News,
Va, and Brazil. Yet with these four Amer
lcan ships, Nhich carry our flag along 5000
miles Of the Brazilian coast, the company
has caused the Englishmen considerable
nervousness recently. The English ships
are advertised TO sail according to pub
lished schedule, but unless there happens
TO be one of Captain Lachlin'S Americans
on their track the sailings vary in time from
B to 10 days.
SQUEEZING OUT AMERICA.
In fact, it is generally known here that
there is an understanding between the
management of the Booth and Red Cross
lines, by which they combine their superior
forces to crowd out IRON this trade the am
bilious Americans. A few days since, the
American eompany's new steamship,
Seguranca, came into port almost in CON-
pauy with ere OF the Red Cross boats. 1t
to take cargo along side of her, and beat the
new American in 4 race 10 New York. She
loaded light, and left after the unpr ece-
dentedsstop of only couple of days.
The steamers left the Amazon in each
ctner'S company, the American calling at
BarOadoes, Martinique aud st. Thomas,
while the Englishman sailed direct to New
York without a stop. Yet the Seguranca
beat the EGgIishman home handsomely, to
the intense qualification OF the lew Ameri-
cans here. who would have been uumerci-
fully chatfeG By the English, ii the cold
tramp" had beaten the new ship. The
next English ship delayed here ten days.
MORE DIRECT COMMUNICATION.
As matter of business, the Amazon Val
ley isnot adequately served by the Amer
lean line. American shippers are now
largely dependent upon these we'll con-
Quoted English ships, and a friendly rivalry
is cour,ed which will benefit all parties.
The American ships. by reason of their sub
sidv from the Brazilian Government, are re-
quired TO do a general coastIng business
along Brazil, for trade with the United
States. The English steamers sail direct
from the Amazon TO America or Europe,
and coEfne their trade to North Brazil ex-
Clusivelv.
It is just as much out of the way for an
American steamer from Rio aud the south
o; Brazil, TO call at Para, as it would be for
the English ships from New York to Rio, to
go into the Gull of Mexico and ascend 100
miles mp the Mississippi, to New Orleans,
TO build up Americaa trade there. We now
require frequent and direct trade from the
upper Amazon to American ports.
J. o. KERBEY.