The Washington herald., 1908-01-13

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of the American fleet around South
America and its presence in the harbor
OF Rio JaneirO a city about which little
is generally known in the United States.
the director Of the International Bureau
of American Republics, Mr. John Bar
rett who has visited Rio Janeiro many
times while minister to different South
American countries. has prepared the fol-
lowing statement:
Rio Janeiro, where our feet is spend
Ing ten days. is one Of the most beau
tifui interesting. and progressive cities
Of the world. 1t has a population and
commerce that entitle it 20 first rank as
capital and metropolis Its great size.
its varied attractions and its modern
characteristics are not generally known
and appreciated in the United States be
cause it is out Of the usual route of
travel abroad.
The thousands of American officers
and sailors. who are aboard our ships
and who have not before visited South
America, will be surprised at the magni-
tude and progress of this Brazilian city
and will be deeply pleased with the
splendid hospitality of the Brazilian gov
eminent and people No experience that
any American fleet or squadron has ever
had in Europe or Asia will even rival
that which they viii enjoy in Rio ia
metro. II is. therefore, fitting. especially
at this time when everybody is taking
more interest in South America as a re-
suit Of Secretary Roots recent visit 10
that part of the world, to note some re-
markable facts about Rio Janeiro and
Brazil.
Scenery Is Beautiful.
LAS the feet steamed into the Bay of
Rio those aboard our ships beheId scenery
and natural surroundings Of unriyaled
charm. This remarkable harbor is en-
tered between mountainous promontories,
and then It opens out into a rare expanse
Of deep water which would permit an the
navies Of the world 10 float safely at
anchor. It is dotted here and there with
Islands Of varying size. on the left
tower the lofty peaks Of the Organ
Mountains, while on the right the land
slopes away gracefully to distant hills.
Upon graceful cresceuts Of the bay at
the foot of the mountains ana creeping
up on their sides lies the city itself. with
an appearance of solidiJy and strength
worthy OF the powerful republic Of which
IL is the capital
within the limits of Rio Janeiro are
nearly 10000 people, and it is growing 50
rapidly that the milHOn-mark Will be
passed before this decade is ended No
city in the United States, with the ex-
ception of New York and Chicago, is in
creasing its population more rapidly.
It's most striking features are the
famous Avenida Central its principal
street. the boulevard system along the
water front. the elegant public buildings
and churches, and the presence on one /
side of the magnificent bay, and on the
g other Of lofty mountain peaks in It's inn
mediate suburbs, from which an incom-
parable view can be obtained.
Spent S35, 100000 on boulevard.
THE Ayenida Central extends for a
mile and a half through the very heart
Of the city, and is as beautiful as the
3 Champs Elysees, in Paris, or the Inter
8 den Linden, in Berlin, tt was constructed
{ recently at a cost of S35.000000. and would
put 10 shame anything corresponding to
II IN Washington. New York, or Chicago. /
8 IT is over 100 feet wide IN the clear. while
running along its center are handsomely
3 designed Ovals serving as refugees for
passengers crossing, and each one carry /
: ing an exquisitely designed pillar. with
8 three large electric lights Alternating
with these at the side of the roadway are
decorative gas lamps. Illumination can
thus be arranged 10 a nicely at any
s time of the day or night or for any
3 function. Facing the Avenida are hand
some buildings Of harmonious design. /
Here are many Of the clubs, newspaper
offices, the National Library. the homes
or the most important commercial bodies, |
and large department stores. At the north
end Is a pier for passengers who are Z
coming and going from steamers.
AT the south is the National Opera /
House. with the Monroe Palace. in which I.
was held the third International Ameri- /
can Conference, and which is intended /.
for public meetings of great importance /.
8 Other avenues parallel or at right angles /
S TO this Avenida are now in course Of con /
struction. The boulevard system is ex- /
S tensive and causes admiration. This be- 4
gins at the bay near the south end of !
the Avenida, and skirts the water around /
the crescent Of BotafOgo beneath the /
8 magnificent peak Of COrcOvadO. and finally 4
continues on toward the open Atlantic /
fifteen miles from the heart Of the city /
This grand driveway presents a variety
Of beauty at every turn, and has 30 equal F.
in Europe or the United States.
City Is EnterpriSing
The mountains back OF and surrounding /
the city are rapidly being converted into /
parks. villas. and locations for handsome /
residences. Tramways run to their sum- /
mits where a panorama spreads before +.
the eye not to be found in the immediate /
vicinity Of any corresponding great city
of the world. Rio Janeiro possesses a /
system of wateTW0rks. sewerage. electric I
tramways. electric lights. telephones. tele-
g graphs. &e.. equal to that Ia any city of /
& North America. Automobiles abound, and /
on every hand there are evidences of /
wealth. The city also has its CONNER
Scial and manufacturing life that show
It's material growth. It's libraries. coll
leges, schools, and hospitals are conduct
ed with Up-to-date methods. and are
housed in capacious buildings, with the
latest facilities.
Brazil. Of which Rio Janeiro is the
capital, has a population Of nearly
20, 600. The most startling fact about
the country is that it has a Iarger. con-
nected area than the United States
apsopCIs tAtciulHS over os-ttWb square
miles. The total foreign trade Of Brazil
In 1905 amounted to $4S0,000000 Of which
exports were valued at S265. 900 600. and
imports at S165 000O00. giving a remarka-
sble balance of trade Of 100000 in favor
: of Brazil. These totals, moreover. repre-
sent an advance of S65.000000 over the
sotal trade Of 1905. a positive Indication
of prosperity. That Rio Janeiro is a busy
port is indicated by the fact that the
Total number OF ingoing and outgoing
ZEessels in 1906 amonnted 10 nearIv zna |