Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-11-15
BRAZILIAN INDIE
 PENDENCE DAY


 for the moment the revolutions and rebellions that have agtated the re- public during the last year, the peo- pie of Brazil are today celebrating with the greatest enthusiasm the an- niyersary of independence. In Rio, once the plague spot of American capitals and HOW among the most 1 beautiful of the cities of the new world, great public demonstrations
 were held, in which the president, 1 ministers and distinguished army off, cials participated, an elaborate review of troops being feature of the ex- ercises.
 The independence of Brazil dates from November 15, 1889 when by a revolution Emperor Dom Pedro II was dethroned and exiled and Brazil de- clared a republic under the title of the l United States of Brazil.
 ! In this city the celebration par- takes also of a popular rejoicing at the completion of the magnificent pro- jects of civic improvement that have been carried out within the last two years. The old city Of medieval struc- lures in the Portuguese style has been 1 literally replaced with a new and l beautiful city which may well lay claim to being the most magnificent | capital of America. The old city was compactly built, with narrow, mean i streets. Where the great Ayienda Central, the most beautiful boulevard in the whole world, now runs there was no street at aiI--only a mass of ugly buildings which had to be ;orn down and cleared away before the work could be commenced. The boule- ward was opened to the public two years ago and has now reached a stage of beauty and grandeur to which no other street in the world can lay claim. The avenue Is a mile and al eighth ill length, lined with maenif- cent buildings erected in accordance with fixed architectural and hygienic plans and with an asphalt-paved road way. Tn the center of each street corner is an oval of flowers and fol- age plants, with a Brazil tree in the middle. From each oval also rises an ornamental pillar, bearing three arc lights. and the broad walks are also
 lighted at frequent intervals with pill lars bearing great gas jets These make the Ayenida the most brilliantly illuminated street in America, sur passing even New Works "great white
 way The sidewalks, wider than those of any other street in the new world, are mosaics constructed of black and white Hints imported from Portugal.
 The Avenida Central is a connecting link between a great system of boule- wards almost equally beautiful, ex-
 tending to every quarter Of the city, and built on the sites of old rookeries that once bred disease and plague Many miles of other streets have been widened at cost of $20,000,000, and transferred from narrow, dirty lanes to great business avenues.
 All of these improvements have cost an amount of money that would, perhaps, have staggered any other city
 in America, but the government, state
 and municipal officials, backed by the people, have carried the plans unfal-
 teringly to conclusion, disregarding
 all expense. The result has been
 that the death rate has been greatly lowered. fever and plague abolished and Rio the Beautiful has become one of the healthiest as well as the most beautiful cities of the world.