The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-08
EUROPEANS PROPOSE NEW
 ROUTE TO SOUTH AMERICA

While European maritime nations
 are feverdshly preparing to take ad-
 ana Canal, another gigantic project
 Is on foot to further increase, the firm
 South American trade. This scheme,
 which will also open a rich section ot
 northwestern Africa to European ex-
 pIostation. will be discussed at a meet
 ing of English, German, Spanish and
 French commissions called for today
 by the Swiss government, which has
 undertaken the task of keeping the peace between the powers interested
 IF this project is carried Out-and
 only the jealously Of rival nations may prevent-Paris and Brazil will be er- Ths new land and sea route would ir Is alleged, practically put an end to all trade between the United States and the countries on the Atlantic sea- board of South America. The pro posal is of Spanish origin, but has as- suIned international character, and it is understood that the RothschiIds and other influential financial groups have promised all the money necessary.
 The first stage of the six-1ay jour ney from Paris to Brazil would be by railroads already in existence from the French capital to Gibraltar Ene .-Paris-Pernambuco Express would be ferTfed across the Straits of Gibral- tar The remainder of the trip is all in the future- The proposed Ibero- Afro American railway would follow the west coast of Africa, through Mo rocco. Spanish and French territory, 10 Bathurst, the British port of Gam bia- a distance of about 1900 miles, Iar. French port near by, fast ocean liners would be operated to Pernam- bUco, Brazil It is estimated that the time from Gibraltar to Dalkar or Bathurst over the new railroad. would be about sixty hours, while steamships Ssu cover the distance between Afr can ports to Perna mbuco, Brazil in three days. The African ports are not far from Cape Verde, the wester1nost point Of Africa, while Pernambuco is at th~ extreme eastern sOaSt of Brazil
 Sy~ ---st anelfoeErir,<- lIiffic1,if fixs1s con front the builders of the new road in Africa The cost of construction is estimated at about $75,000 a. mile 1 which would make the total cost S135,- 100, 900 The new line would follow the coast. and building operations could be i carried on at several places sinu1tan- sously-. From Pernambuco, railway | and steamship lines would carry the l products of Europe to all parts of | Brazil. Argentina. Paraguay and Ur- Gguay, and also to parts of Chile.
 In addition to enabling Europe to | land goods in South America in about | a third of the time tequired for | Brazil and Argentina, the promoters | of the plan assert that it has many | other merits. It would open up all | of Western Morocco, Senegal Gam bia and Guinea, and would reduce the time by about half to South Africa, the Kongo and Liberia
 Chicago will observe today the for | ty-1arst anniversary of the beginning of the great fire that wiped out the | -ity in October, 1871, and which was 5ze of the most terrible conhagrations in history
 In remote rural sections of England the quaint old observance of Whip Dog Day. will be carried out today. Ancient custom demands that canines | 5s given a flashing on this day, not for any fault. but on general prin- ciples. Spare the rod and spoil the | Jog Is the motto of those who cling Co the old custom.