The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-12-01
Brazilian Commerce.


MISSES ALL THE LoAVES AND FISHES.
| THE STATISTICIAN NOT ABROAD IN BRA
Ill.
special correspondence of The Journal.
PARA, Brazil, Oct. 9th, 1892. | have
ltely received a number of letters from
iriOus portions of Goods Countrv,' re-
resting statistical information concern
NJ Brazilian commerce, the condition of
tde between the United States and this
Nv Republic as compared to what it was
ring the late Empire, and whether GER
Gn commodities have yet been introduce
into Brazil; and some of my CORES
alw of politeness, that though twomens
,ers from foreign parts may some
mes be charming specimens of word
ting and all that sort of thing, they
leplorably lacking in business facts.
Is Spurred to desperate endeavor, |
fe s4uandered a deal of time and trouble
tlNing to collect trustworthy figures ON
present status of Brazilian exports
imports in relation to the United
tes but to little purpose-eNcept to be
alinced anew that this great country,
ich is SO surprisingly rich in things
IcuItural, does not grow Statistics IN
et. she is 50 surprisingly poor in that
| HAT there are absolutely no reliable
rees of information, even the entries in
e year books and political manuals
M purely conjectural. Notwithstand-
the enormous amount of business
tusacted at Para and other ports, it is
possible to procure any reliable exhibits
-hipping and tonnage TO be sure,
u consulate may make up quarterly
aJement of its own shipping and the ex-
IT'S Of its own country but a compare
Ne table could only be furnished by GER
p Brazilian officials, and none has ever
zen made. In the matter of coffee alone,
me care is taken regarding the amount
,duced and exported; but | am told that
ncn these figures are mot to be depended
uon Then what is poor scribe to do
a0 aspires to please the public ;,nd yet
eep somewhere within mailing distance
,he truth9 | have consulted diverse
thorities, native and foreign producers
isiilners, manufacturers, merchants,
ppers, importers, consular books, ct
Jela; afterwards compared their respec
,e statements and where figures were
ven, Gn no case were the figures of any
w. authorities within gun shot of
se on the same subiect, carefully
k an average OF the various amounts.
not claim that the result is strictly
tcct, but it is as nearly SO as can be OBJ
ayd, and is certainly impartial.
Glazilians are we'll aware that the best
ket in the world for their staple pro-
..jons- notably coffee, sugar and India
doris the United States; they like
americans as heartily as the Chili;lus
.sike them, and admire and copy the i'll
tions OF the Older Republic. Cabinet
4>tel Barboza recently expressed his
feeling and that of his contemporaries
lie following words; ''Om greatest
81 If this moment is to model the new
public OF Brazil according to the con
uition of the United States OF the north:
leNeiop and consolidate oul friendship
commercial relations vita that incom-
abIe nation Yet the lnyamished
rh is this: Instead Of having taken
raNtage of the fall of The Empire and
loYed trade with a rich country which
od ready to Hospitality receive them,
aelicans have gained no advantages
| IN the last two OF three wears II COM
llon with other countries tor the gen
import trade OF Brazil, but on the
4ualy have lost ground on some Of tile
modities that have long been supplied
lie United States. Fully two-thirds
the coffee exported from Rio goes
'ie United States, and the latter coum-
furnishes in return only flour. lard.
#l'>ene and lumber i'll quantities worth
tutoning. Even in the line OF bread
#Ns the northern Republic is losing
&'nd under competition with Austria
the Rio de la Plata. American cot
| and wooden goods are seldom seen
4t, American agricultural implements
never been introduced, and not an
4'e OF American coal is seen in Brazil
gh Cardiff coal commands an enor-
T price in the yards. In the way of
manufactured articles England France
Germany practically monopolize the
8qrtant market OF Brazil; they also
Pile the country and furnish every aIti-
VI luxury and ornament In short,
e Samuel, by far the best customer
Para rubber, Rio coffee and lernam-
sugar, seems content to stand idly
N with his hands in his trouser' S pockets
Il see the balance of trade going against
to the tune of tiity-fve millions a
against seven OF eight millions.
we'll known United States Consul
eral said to me: Every Consul who
los 10 Brazil is instructed to do every
IN his power to promote the intro
| 4on Of American goods but the pro
FIJI Of North America cannot be peddled
a the consulates by samples. Amer
merchants and commission houses