The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-07-31
~
THE AMAZON VALLEY.
IuPOR1,4 NOE TO UNITED STATES OF
THETRADE OF BRAZIL.
We Might Easily Get It-ConsuI Rem
nedy Describes the Commerclai IKE
sources of the Amazon.

sources of the Amazon.
9 OF all the South American republics,
l consider Brazil the most important com
mercially to the United States; and IL
all Brazil the city of Para, by reason OF
raj wealth of the surrounding country
l seems to me to afford the greatest adj
yantages to our manufacturers ane
merchants. The merchants here are
: inclined to do business with the United
States in preference to Europe, and we
could soon control the field if, as
have frequently pointed out in previous
reports, we looked after this trade as
Europeans descending capable men to
canvass the field and study the needs
of the people.
1t is difficult to obtain official statis-
tics in this country. My previous re-
ports have been based upon personal
investigation. and 1t is pleasing to see
that American manufacturers are talk
ing an interest in them as is shown
from the letters of inquiry which | have
received from all parts of the United
SANN
England, France, Japan, and China.
The trade of Para and of all Brazil is
done on long terms of credit, in many
instances as much as six months being
given. 1t is difficult to ascertain with
any degree of accuracy merchants
commercial standing, in the absence of
anything like Duns or Bradstreets
agencies. This is due, in great meas
ure, to the insufficient means of COM
munication between the ports and the
interior, and the fact that people en-
gagged In the production of natural
| wealth, which Is often not marketable
except after delays which can not be
calculated in advance, want easy terms
of payment. Another reason for long
credits is the strong competition from
Brazilian manufacturers in the south.
| There are few factories in the north;
but Sac Panic, Rio de Janeiro, and
other southern cities of Brazil send
| shoes, dry goods, hosiery, notions,
| liquors, patent medicines, and many
other goods to the market. 1t is not
difficult to compete with these Brazilian
goods, because of their inferior quality.
but considering the little or no duties
they have to pay and their facilities for
giving long credit, they offer strong
competition. Another advantage is
that three southern factories provide
their agents here with stock to be sold
on the spot I hear that it is much
easier to market Brazilian goods which
are ready for delivery than the products
of other countries.
While the United States is the largest
consumer of Brazils raw material,
Brazilian imports of American manu-
featured goods, even as compared with
those from smaller European countries,
are small. Yet the Brazilians, certainly
those of the Amazon region, are anxious
to trade with us. Goods are coming
here from Germany and France such
as bicycles, which are dearer than and
much inferior in quality to those made !
in the United States, but the manufac-
turers of the foreign countries have I
their agents here to show the goods and |
push their sales.
Openings for new industries in this |
region are most promising, and the /
chances are excellent for obtaining
State government concessions. Brazil
ians lack initiative, and almost every /
thing is done with foreign capital Eng
land has not only controlled nearly ali
the import trade but is also alive to
the opportunities for the employment
of capital, and syndicates are being
formed almost every week. Now how
ever, Belgium is sending capital and
buying up property in Para. such as
the electriclight plant, Negotiations
are in progress for building the new
cattle pen, electric rail-
way and conducting other important
All awards will be made
some time in July, and will go to the
lowest bidder. France ard Germany
have also come into the field, and il
manufacturers expect to keep
pace with their competitors they mus
be active.
The strong current of immigration, .
which thus far has been supplied prin-
cipally by Portugal, is now coming
from Spain and Italy, especially the lat
ter, and it is said that hereafter Portu-
gal will contribute a small proportion as
compared with the other two countries.
1t is claimed, however that Italy and ,
Spain supply only unskilled labor, a ]
class not desired in the rubber fields. !
Why this should be so I cannot say; {
nevertheless 1t is said to be a fact !
The Amazon Region
l was on the United States steamship :
Wilmington on her recent trip up the G
Amazon The natural wealth of this I
egion is enormous, almost beyond esti- /
ma tion. Overwhelmed cocoanut trees t
Increase in quantity as you ascend the t
liver The thick forests of rich woods, s
powerful streams-each one a mighty G
Incorporating at every turn of the Il
hip, and the endless rows of rubber 4
rees along the banks speak volumes for I
he commercial and industrial future Of f
5razil @
| have learned that some accounts n
7hich have been written concerning a
ubber, although not entirely mislead-
lg, have not been quite accurate The Il
IMPRESSION created by the narrative of a
revious travellers who have been up b
ne Amazon is that the rubber produce is
on is on a constant and endless in a
rease. 1t is not generally believed, Il
ut it is nevertheless a fact that the a
utput is not likely to increase to any n
larked degree unless much larger a
lrce of rubber gatherers is sent into n
lie forests than has been employed 9
lring the past year or two. This is c.
lie opinion of the best Informed rubber m
antation owners. Reports that tho 4