Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-24
DOESN'T SUIT PARA.
Reciprocity Has Apparently Falle1
Quite Flat in Amazonia.
FITS SOUTHERN BRAZIL BETTER
Live American DrummerS Might Open Up
Good Field for Trade.
A FEW ARTICLES THAT WOULD SELL
PETER didn't
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DISPATCH. ]

CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DIsPATcHl
PARA, BRAZIL, May IL Reciprocity
has seemingly fallen quite fiat at Para.
for the young plant. ,,.-
While prominent business people here
freely concede that its provisions must nee
essarily increase American imports to this
section it is generally admitted that the
reciprocity treaty was framed almost en-
firely in the interests ofthe sugar and coffee
producer of Southern Brazil So one bad
effect of reciprocity will be to increase the
feeling of sectionalism between Amazonia
and Brazil,
The first fierce opposition to the treaty on
the part of the German and English mer-
chants, located here, has given way to a
milder and perhaps more dangerous method
of creating obstacles to its enforcement. Pc
titions have been sent to their respective
Governments, asking that treaty with the
same privileges be made with Brazil for
their protection.
MoIding Public Opinion.
This plan is perhaps not so much to be
feared as the more effective one of "mold-
ing public opinion" by securing the friend
ship of some of the newly-elected Brazilian
statesmen who may be relied upon to "talk"
opposition in their political gatherings.
The press of Para is entirely venal, and its
opinions are scarcely worth even the small
amount necessary to buy it, as only about
10 per cent of the population can read.
What is needed here is few live Amer
can drummers who are not afraid of little
L L i
can speak little Portuguese or Spanish it
will facilitate matters, but in nearly all the
business houses here they speak English. If
Imay be permitted afurther suggestion it is
that the American merchants send out
drummers with blue eyes, light hair and
gentleman1y bearing. One who can dance
well is sure to become popular in a short
time. They should expect to remain in the
country some time, for people here do not
do business in hurry. Tomorrow is an
other day" is a common expression with
these indifferent Brazileros.
A residence of few months in Brazil
will enable any ordinary person to pick up
enough of the language to answer all
necessary requirements. One can push
things little in this direction by securing
what is known here as sleeping diction-
ary, that is, Brazilero for a bed fellow.
process of absorption or induction.
Awake to the Possibilities.
The following is the substance of a recent
official dispatch to the Department of State,
which think it will hardly make public
and I therefore send it to THE DISPATCH
''bureau of information for the South Amer
lean Republics
The reports and correspondence from Para
recently published in THE DISPATCH seem
to have awakened considerable interest in
the Amazon Valley-if one at this distance
may Judge by the mass of inquiries ad-
dressed to this Consulate that come by every
mail. have letters from California about
wines and brandies; from Cape Cod in re-
gard to salt fish; Boston and Lynn asking
about shoes; coal dealers of Pennsylvania;
from electric light, telephone, sewing ma
chine sugar manufacturing and agricultural
implement establishments-and in fact from
our trades people of almost every character.
The general tenor of all is as to the pros
poets of introducing their goods into this
market. Some of these PROFOUND series of
interrogations and expect categorical replies
by the following mail, with an assumption
that it is Consul's business to look after
Individual interests in foreign countries.
Others more courteously thank the Consul
in advance for the information desired-but,
without single exception, none inclose the
postage for reply. AS the postal rate out
of Brazil is 10 cents, or double that coming
to this new Republic, the item of postage
aggregates considerable in quarter, and, as
a rule, the salaries in this latitude do not
warrant the discounts. Consuls, as rule,
are ALWAYS glad to be of service to their
countrymen, but it is expecting rather too
much of even Consul In this climate to
run around in the hot sun to play CONNER
cial traveller for business houses at home.
I ask permission to make general reply
through THE DISPATCH, as well as to offer
suggestions to the general effect that the |
proper, and perhaps only,Sway for Ameri