The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-22
AMAzOHIA, THE LAND
OF ETERNAL SUMMER
Major Kerbey's Travels II
South America.
RUBBER, CACA0, AND COFFEE
Opportunity for Trade Between South
ern Ports and Valley of
Great River.

Interesting information about that
zonia is furnished by Major J. orion
Kerbey. Major Kerbey has been twice
across equatorial South America and
has FIVE times crossed the Andes. He is
an enthusiast on the subject of trade
possibilities between our southern ports
and Amazonia- and is now organizing
party of business men to visit that coun-
try and see its advantages. Major Ker-
hey is an advocate Of having New Or
leans included I'm any ship subsidy bill
that may be brought before Congress.
The major is ENGAGED in writing
book called ''Manana" telling of his ad-
ventures and travels in South America.
Speaking of Amazcnia. he says
The area of that portion of South
America known as Amazonia is greater
in extent than the combined valleys Of
the Ohio and the Mississippi It stretches
three thousand miles due west. almost
under the equator. and extends several
grees OF latitude north and south.
Through this vast exDanse Of country
from the Andes to the Atlantic, flow the
mighty waters OF the Amazon
Land of Summer
Though discovered less than ten years
after our own country. this vast region
Of perpetual summer is more thlnly
populated than the frozen lands OF the
Arctic. As the ships sail. the Amazon *
as near Washington as to the capital
Of Brazil at Rio de ganeiro.
1T would appear that steamships from
southern ports like New Orleans Mo-
bile. or south Florida would not only
serve 70 promote reciprocity in trade
but result in establishing relations that
would be of great advantage to the West
and the South.
Steamship and barge transportation
would not only shorten the distance. but
serve to conect the two greatest rivers
of the earth, thus uniting the Mississippi
and Amazon valley by direct lines Of
steamers.
The Amazon basin produces standard
articles. such as rubber. caeao. coffee
sugar and material necessary for the
materiai nediea which we cannot grOw
il our latitude.
Certainly the Ohio and Mississippi
valleys might exchange their products
cheaper and quicker by the rivers 10
New Orleans OF Mobile than by rail to
New York. there To be reshiDped 70
steamers and thence double back .or
parallel the river by sailing along the
coast 10 reach the mouth Of the ANA
ION.
Two Steamship Lines ~
There are two steamship lines ply
ing between New York and the ANA
zon. both OF which belong To English
companies that have been engs ged e,-
clusively in this trade for forty years
Each or these lines has steamers sailing
weekly from New York and Liverpool
F'irst-class cabin fare to the Amazon
X about 400. and the trip covers about
fifteen days
The freight rate on rubber. which.
next To bullion. is the most valua BILE
cargo aioat, from Para 10 New York
IS Is cents and : cents primage per
cubic foot. equivalent 10 about ] cen.
per pound on crude material. worth in
any port about 81 per pound Unlike
coffee OF sugar from the lower provinces
of Brazil. rubber is a safe cargo, not
liable to suffer damage in transit
There has always been more than
sufficient business from Abe Amazon 10
require the continuous service Of the
fieets OF the two English companies.
frequently necessitatine the chartering
OF tramp steamers.