The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-08
GERMAN DESIGNS ON BRAZIL.

GERMAN DESIGNS on BRAZIL.
an address in which he pointed out that
supreme test of the Monroe doctrine might
occur when, some time in the future,
European colony in South America might,
with the assent of the South American
States, ask 10 be adopted by the mother
country, thus virtually creating a new Euro
pean establishment on the American CONT
nent. The situation seems a remote one. yet
ii Is within the bounds of possibility. EIith-
erto the assertion of the Monroe doctrine
has only been against the forcible appro-
priation of American territory by any
European power; the peaceable acquisition
of territory would raise the question in diff
ferent form and make it more difficult to en-
force. There has been some talk from time
to time as to the possibility of Germany
trying to effect an establishment in Brazil
and eventually perhaps obtaining a conces-
sion of territory from that government
This idea has found some support in the
fact that the German government is known
TO favor the colonizing idea, and in the
further fact that for some years past there
has been considerable German emigration
to Brazil. According to the latest estimate
there are about 100000 Germans in Brazil
out Of total population of 100000. To
convert them into German colony or State
would require the consent of the German
government, of the Brazilian government
nd nf fha oy,1iO
favors expansion and would probably take
kindly to the arrangement, but there is no
reason to believe that Brazil would be will
ing to part with any Of her territory, nor
is there any reason to believe that the Ger
man emigrants In Brazil desire to be taken
The Germans are peculiar. They are mi
gratory people and. while they love the
fatherland. In way, they still put their
adopted land first Abundant evidence Of
this is found in the United States, where
the millions Of German-Americans are thor
oughly loyal to American institutions.
Those who emigrated voluntarily from the
old country and their children born here
are ardent Americans and would be as
quick as any other class OF citizens to re-
sent any attempt by the German govern
ment to NEEDLE in American affairs. Why
should not the Germans who have emigrat-
ed to Brazil nave the same feeling in re-
gard to that country? Why should they
have any desire to exchange a government
under which they are prospecting for one
which they once left voluntarily and were
glad to get rid Of? An intelligent corre-
spondent writing from Rio de Janeiro
thinks it quite possible the German govern
ment would like to get foothold in Brazil.
but he does not think such an idea would
meet with any favor from the Germans
in that country: He says:
Germans and German purposes" it
must always be kept in mind, are not nee
essarily the same in Germany and in Bra
zil. All immigrants undergo a change of
views and convictions after long residence
in a foreign country and the Germans who
settle in Brazil are no exception 10 the rule.
The class among whom these latter are re-
cruited in Germany Is the lowest in the
economic scale; Their poverty and hard
ships in the old country did not strengthen
their love for its institutions. But now, as
they prosper in the new country and enjoy
local self-government and freedom, in the
ly attached to their locality and to the
nation they have adopted as their home
- / have talked with Brazilans Of
German origin from Rio de Janeiro, State
and city, and from the South, and / have
noted the activities In Brazilian politics
of men of German birth or descent from the
Southern States, and 1 have yet to learn
of a sentiment among them that would
admit of any construction contrary to the
idea that Brazil Is their country first last
and always.
The plain inference from this is that the
Germans in Brazil and their immediate de-
scendants are as completely degermanized.
in political sense. and as thoroughly loyal
to their adopted country as are German
Americans in the United States. If Ger
many should attempt TO get foothold in
Brazil there is no reason to believe she
would receive any encouragement from
their descendants born there.