The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-01-15
Special to The journal.

4 SO6Cidl 10 the Iournai.
| Washington. D. c., Jan. lin view
of the interest in the progress of the
American fleet around South America
and its presence IN the harbOr of Rio
1 Janeiro, a city about which little is
generally known in the United States,
! the director of the International Blu
reau of American Republics, MIR. John
Barrett, who has visited Rio Jane4ro
many times while minister to differ
/ ent South American countries, has
prepared the following statement:
Rio Janeiro, where our feet is
| spending ten days, is one of the most
| beautiful, interesting, and progressive
cities of the world. It has a popula-
| ton and commerce that entities it TO
! first rank as capital and metropo-
| lis It's great size, its varied attrac-
tions, and its modern characteristics
are not generally known and appre-
ciated in the United States because
| it is out of the usual route of travel
abroad.
As the fleet steamed into the bay
of Rio those aboard our ships beheld
scenery and natural surroundings of
unrivaled charm. This remarkable
harbor is entered between mountain
Gus promontories, and then it opens
which would permit all the navies of
the world to float safely at anchor 1t
is dotted here and there with islands
of varying size On the left, tower
the lofty peaks of the Organ noun
tains. while on the right the land
slopes away gracefully to distant
hills. Upon graceful crescents of the
bay at the foot Of the mountains and
creeping up on their sides, les the
city itself, with an appearance of
solidity and strength worthy of the
powerful republic of which it is the
capital.
Within the limits of Rio Janeiro are
nearly 100000 people and it is grow
ing so rapidly that the million mark
| will be passed before this decade is
ended. Nb city in the United States.
with the exception of New York and
Chicago. is increasing its population
more rapidly.
It's most striking features are the
famous Avendia Central, it's principal
street, the boulevard system along the
water front, the elegant public build
ings and churches, and the presence
on one side, of the magnificent bay
and, on the other, Of lofty mountain
peaks, in its immediate suburbs, from
| which an incompatible view can be
obtained.
Avenda Central.
The Avendia Central extends for a
mile and a han through the very
heart Of the city and is as beautiful
as the Champs Elysee in Paris or the
Inter den Linden in Berlin. 1t was
constructed recently at q cost of $780,
100000 and would put to shame any
thing corresponding to it in Washing
| ton, New York or Chicago. 1t is over
100 feet wide in the clear, while run
| ming along Its center are handsomely
designed ovals serving as refugees for
passengers crossing and each one car
rying an exquisitely designed pillar
| with three large electric lights. AL
| ternating with these at the side of the
| roadway are decorative gas lamps
| Illumination can thus be arranged to
nicely at any time of the day or
night or for any function. Facing the
Avenida are handsome buildings of
| harmonious design. Here are many
| of the clubs, newspaper Offices, the
national library, the home of the most
important commercial bodies and
large department stores. At the north
end is a pier for passengers who are
coming and going from steamers. At
| the south is the national opera house
with the Monroe Palace, in which
| was held the third international Amer
lean conference and which is intend
/ ed for public meetings of great I'M
/ portance. Other avenues parallel or