The evening times., 1897-01-27
BETTER WITH UNCLE SAM
The Advice of an American Con-
sui to His COuntrymen.
BRAZIL Is NOT INVITING
Mr.. Matthews, at Para, Says Pow
erty and Death Lie Before Those
Who Come There without Money.
A knowledge OF the Portuguese
Tongue Essential.

The State Department has Just issued
a report from Consul Matthews, at Para,
Brazil, regarding the coming of citizens OF
the United States 10 that country. Mr..
Matthews says he has many letters in
qulring what can be done in Brazil without
money, but with 'energy and push" His
answer is a warning 10 all persons without
means, class that is coming in at Para
constantly. He says:
''No Americans coming to Para without
the means to maintain themselves while ae-
quiring the language and seeking employ
ment can have much chance OF success. A
knowledge OF the Portuguese language is
absolutely necessary to enable one to find
employment. Para. like all commercial
centers, has more applicants than positions
Salaries are small, and the living the most
expensive in the world Nearly everything
consumed here is imported, and pay a very
high import duty Salaries paid clerks
are from S15 to $45 per month.
''As to outdoor labor, no white American
who exposes himself, rs he would be COM
PEELED to do, to the suns burning rays and
daily rains that fall here during the wet
season, could hope to escape the yellow
fever and perhaps death.
1t is true, money is plentiful and the ex-
portation OF natural products guarantees
a permanent prosperity to this part of
Brazil; but no one can successfully deal
in rubber unless he has large capital.
The competition among the rubber buyers
is very great, and on that account the
business is surr ounded with greater
difficulties now than formerly. In the
rubber field, men without money can play
no part, unless they become rubber gath
erers, in which case they would have ten
chances for death against one for life.
on some of the rivers so per cent of the
natives die who go there
The value of the milreis is the lowest In
the history of Brazil. as it now requires over
6 1-2 milreis TO buy 81 tUnited States),
which, in the middle OF the coffee and
rubber season, is an unlooked-fOr cOndi-
ton. None OF the brokers have been able
TO assign reason for the present rate
OF exchange No one seems able or will
ing to forecast the future.
The uncertainty and the fluctuating
value Of money prevent merchants from
buying more than is absolutely necessary.
Agents representing foreign houses are
continually complaining about the diff
Guilty OF obtaining orders. But / believe
that the money viii improve in value in
the near future, and business also"
Mr.. Matthews adds that the cable which |
was laid up the Amazon To Manaos last |
February, at a cost of more than a million |
dollars, was in operation just month, when |
it broke down, and it has since been inn |
possible to send messages. Tie contract |
ors guaranteed that the cable should work |
without hreakage for thirty days, and it |
did; but on the thirty-first day, after they |
had got their money, it broke, and the work |
of making repairs has been going on ever |
since. At the time OF his writing they |
hope to have it running again by the be |
ginning of the new year.