Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-12
TRADE OF BRAZIL
CONSUL sEEaER's REPORT ON
HER COMMERCIAL RECORD.

Brazil began the twentieth century with
Il 100000 people. territory larger than
| that of the United States, and undeveioped
resources surpassed by country, with
the possible exception of the United States
ard China. Consul Seeger. reporting upon
Braziis commercial record for 1904-5. says:
or all the South American countries
Brazil is the most extensive. II contains
an area of 3.2o0.OO0 square miles, is 2.63o
miles long $50 miles wide. and has a
population of 100000. mostly of Indian
origin 1t borders on every country of
South America except Chile. The rivers
are numerous, among the largest being TIE
Amazon. Madeira, Negro, Para, Tocantius,
Parana and San Francisco. In the ex-
treme northern part Of the country are the
llanos or grassy plains. on which roam
millions of horses, many being caught ana
sold In the different markets OF the woria.
Central Brazil, especially that part lying
contiguous to the Amozon and Its tflpu'
taries, is called the selva or forest region;
it abounds in Para rubber and palm trees,
mahogany and dyewoods. The eastern anu
southern parts form the great Brazilian
plateau. On account of the climatic con-
ditions and the fertility of the soil TINS sec
ton is especially adapted to the CULTIVATION
of the coffee tree, the production OF susai,
cotton, tobacco rice and fruits. Among the
minerals besides gold and diamonds, IRON
of superior quality is abundant. me euiet-
aid ruby, topaz sapphire, garnet ana ot,ieI
precious stones are found IN consiu s a..
quantities Quite large quantities OF corn
and wheat are grown in the Amazon pasln'
but none for export
Vast Resources of the Country.
RraziI is a country of varied and wonder
full resources and with the introduction Oh
up-to-date methods it's development could
be extended so that within a few years II
would produce enormously and take high
rank among the leading commercial couh-
tries of the world. The export trade ls In
creasing at very rapid rate, especially IN
that of rubber, which amounts to millions
of dollars annually. The introduction or
the bicycle. automobile, and other rubber
tired vehicles has given the rubber produc-
ton AN impetus that has caused 1t to forge
to the front as the leading export of the
country. The coffee trade is being extended
and has a very healthy growth. The Unit
ed States buys 90 per cent of the coffee ex-
ported. which amounted to s46.922,9'4 dur
ing the year ended June &c. 1904.
OF the three leading countries that sold
their product to Brazil in 1904 Great Britain
ranks first with $34,976,266, or % per cent
of the total amount; Germany second with
States, s14.041.970, or IL per cent The great
disparity in the amount of goods sold by
Great Britain and the United States to Bra
I'll presents a problem that must be studied
by the manufacturers and exporters of this
country If their trade with that and the
other South American countries is to be
extended.
The greatest increase in imports was IN
manufactures of iron and steel (S1,96J, T0D.
which was due chiefly to the building and
extending of railway lines, both steam and
electric. Wheat flour shows an increase of
S1,o90S $50; wheat, S775SS5; wine, S6l2, S63;
rice, S550,53I, and jerked beef, S534, 921.
Exports.
or the exports from Brazil coffee and
rubber comprised the principal articles.
For the six months ended June &c. 1904 ana
1906 the value of coffee exported amounted
to S31, 1895 and S33, 449, GAL and the value
of rubber S29, 443, ST. and 1880 39. re-
spectively. This is an increase of $40, &c.,
$50 IN the exports of rubber for the six
months under review.
Foreign Loans and Investments
Many millions of dollars were borrowed
in Europe during the year 1904. For the
Improvement of the harbor at Rio de Jan
GIRO loan of S4S, $50, 600 was negotiated,
and large amounts We're borrowed for pro-
ductive purposes. In 1896 the price of the
gold dollar f1uctuated from 1883 to $3.50
DilreiS: in 1904 the fiuctuation ranged from
1886 to 4.247 milreis.
In recent years large amount of foreign
capital has been invested in Brazilian en-
terprises, especially In the city of Rio de
Janeiro, Sac Paulo and in the southern
states. German capitalists have establish
ed steamship lines for coast service. and
American and Canadian capitalists have ac-
quired the car lines, gas works and teIe-
phone service at Rio de Janeiro, the money
invested being estimated at $25,o00,000.