The sun., 1912-07-14
Typical Portage 'inF
the Rubher.ColAntE


strikes that part Of tho nut which was
broken from tho parent stem there is an
explosion Of the nut with sound like
the cracking Of pistol. The outer COW
ering falls of and three capsules con-
tanning tho life germ Of the tree are thrown
In various directions.
The rubber from the Havea Is CONNER
daily known as up river rubber and is
usually quoted at double the price OF
the inferior grades. II Is not only in
quality OF the product but in quantity
that the Havea is superior to other rubs
ber producing trees. and this makes. IL
sought after. even though tho collecting
Ia attended With tho hardships and con-
sequent atrocities that are now under
investigation. Tho Havea throws fully
Is per cent. moro rubber than any other
tree.
This variety u found only In Amazonia
and the trade Il principally In the hands
Of native business men or Portuguese
merchants. There n O very extensive
transportation interest which until re-
Gently has been in the control OF an Eng
lish steamship company. Within a short
time a new line controlled by Germans
10 sending steamships up as far as Manaos,
near the headwaters of the Amazon.
The extent Of this business Is surpris-
ing. Rubber is second only to coffee and
sugar a. q tropical product. The United
States consumes one-half OF the total
output: the annual importations from
Brazil arc worth S7o.0OO,o 900 and from
Peru 81. 10000
In reaching the rubber districts by way
| - <b> Atlop fiC oiflo <,vo vv,,,,< o..
days yet at this it Is the easier way OF
approach. Entering at the mouth Of the
Amazon the vessels to tho upper waters
take the branch known a. the Para.
This II formed by the dissection OF the
mouth OF the Amazon by the large island
OF Marajo. together with others which
form q very considerable archipelaso.
The southern tine Of the fork thus made
Is the Para River.
This Is 30 wide. although It is but part
OF the mouth Of the Amazon. that only
ono bank may be seen at one time, unless
In remarkably clear weather, until it
narrows when almost at the city OF Para.
This Ia reached after a twelve hours
sail from the mouth Of tho Amazon.
A very peculiar custom prevails among
tho Campos natives. They insist upon
catching every insect which bites them
and eating it Immediately. This Ia to
prevent the insect from carrying away
any part of the blood or flesh and the VIC
tim being thus incomplete by the loss.
When n member OF tho tribe dies he 10
cremated and his ashes are mixed with
a native wine and tho mixture IL con-
sumed by the chiefs of the tribe. Thus
the group. they believe. has suffered no
loss. The claim is that the dead man
has boon reabsorbed into tho tribe. They
arc friendly to white men II the latter
come properly accredited.
Incited by the boss rubber collectors
they arc suspicious Of strangers with
no particular business. Their native
weapon Is bow and arrows. but the rubber
companies operating under concessions
have supplied them with rifles and am
munition. Their instructions arc to shoot
at sight and ask questions afterward
II any one not employed by their bosses
ia seen In tho rubber sections.
! Human lifo is cheap there; lawlessnesa
Ia the only thing which may be considered
the characteristic of all. and in such a
condition OF affairs. where might Is the
only right. it Is not strange that things
should 90 on which when being discovered
should shock civilization. Tho Easement
report has been an eye opener to the civil
lied world. and il Washington and
the British Foreign Office can accomplish
it the Government of Peru will take i'm
mediate stops to secure relief. Indeed
the latter Government has promised Il
correct the abuses. and the State Depart
ment is waiting to hear that active meas
ures have been taken.
Sir Robert Easement. who made tn
Investigation for the British Foreigr
O!ice and upon whose report boil
his own and the American Govern
ment acted was the commissioner wh
investigated conditions in tho Cong
- several years ago. Great Britain is inter
, ested because tho largest concessionair
~ il a corporation chartered by tho hom
10 Government. and the nation is smartin
under tho criticisms which have bee
- made. America is Interested as tn
=" nrgest consumer Of the product. Fo
"a the present both nations are waiting upo
"a Peru to reform existing conditions.