The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-12-27

WASHINGTON. Dec, 21--li the South
American countries view with awed sur
prise the great fighting fleet now bear
NJ down along the eastern coast the
Ulcers aud men Of the powerful naval
ssregation also likely will open their
eyes al tho wonders OF the South anen' |
can shores, For the greatest squadron
Of modern battleships the world ever
saw will find safe anchorage In harbors
worthy oil its reception. Instead OF into
shallow indentations in the coast line,
Admiral Evans will turn the noses oi
HIS sixteen engines OF destruction into
dccpwater ports in which they may ride
at ease.
The cruise thus will be one of ednca'
tion for Americans, rs well rs furnish
ing evidence TO the world at large that
this nation Is capable Of upholding Its
honor on he high seas, There is
rooted idea in the minds OF people OF the
United States generally that South Am
erica Is benighted country, with small
enterprise and fewer ambitions. The I'M
preston IL entirely wrong
II was brought prominently to the at
tention Of the American people this
month that the Latin countries of the
Western hemisphere are in many ways
outstripping the United States joan
barrett, director OF the Bureau OF Amer
lean republics in the course OF an nd
ldress before the recent convention OF the
National Rivers and Harbors Congress
here, said:
"The one central thought ! wish st
bring out in this address is both remark
able and surprising, but entirely true
tlt is that our sister republics OF l@tit
.. America, which We have been in thu
habit OF negleeting as unihportant ans
regarding carelessly as the home Of re
volutions are spending more money an'
following more systematic plan at thi
, moment for the permanent improvement
of their rivers and harbors than is tn
United States. In other words. five o
our twenty sister nations, namely Brazil
Uruguay, Argentina. Chile and Mckee
have now under way harbor and channe
construction for which direct appropri
, atoms OF not less than $l00000,0 900 hav
I L been made. and these same government
a announce that they have only begun
vast scheme OF improvements which the,
contemplate"
nj At Rio Janeiro. the capital OF Brazl
. and boasting population OF s5O'ooO tn
' Brazilian government is spending $50
!. 100000 in making harbor improvement
and constructing concrete basins an
docks that will suipass anything in th'
/. country. Brazil also is spending at pa'
e near the mouth OF the Amazon, $4,000
d 900; at Santos swampy port has bee
e transformed into splendid harbor
II a cost Of $l5,O00.000, and at Rio Grand
Is de Sui work is going forward on harb'
improvements to cost another $4,000
600.
y This activity il not confined to Braz
" Argentina is equally active. lts harb'
{. at Buenos Ayres Is the pride OF u
Sc country and cost $5o,0OO,OOO, but u
%. government is preparing to spend VII
3 100000 additional in improvement
ye Rosario, several hundred miles from y
I'll sea on the river Parana, is a splend
az seaport because OF improvements to t
n. river and the construction by the go
eminent of docks costing $l0,OOOy0O
which the largest steamers load q
K unload.
es The expenditures made by this Cover
he ment for waterway improvements set
90 paltry beside these figures The \
'er tional Rivers & Harbors Congress h
ey been insistent for several years that I
less than $5o,OOO.OOO annually should
expended by the United States in 81
work. The sorry condition, and G
that is growing worse every day, OF
a' '. railroads renders absolutely impcratl
'a the development Of some addition
- means Of transportation.