The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-03-02

review Of the last travel or tramp
book Of Harry Franck, which dealt
with a number Of the South Ameri-
can countries, especially Brazil.
have not read the book but have en-.
joyed other works Of this same man
who is evidently a very close and
rapid observer, and one who appar-
emily draws accurate conclusions, thru
experience Of many years Of travel.
He is not complimentary to Brazil.
The reviewer Of the Springfield Re-
publican" in conclusion says that IL
what Mr.. Franck says is true, Brazil
must occupy very low position
among the nations as regards govern
mcnt, education and character.
II seems TO me that this writer has
observed certain facts which are true
but that he is not in position TO
draw conclusions from these things
observed. IL is very possible for a
traveller and an experienced observer
Of conditions in various countries TO
quickly note the facts which he OBJ
serves and report on them. But until
he has lived in the country some time,
with a knowledge Of the history of
the nationality. how they have acted
under certain conditions previously,
and especially until he knows the
present tendencies, can he formulate
n judgment as to the work and the
future influence Of that people We
know distinguished foreigners who
come to the United States. make OBJ
servations in n number Of our large
cities and express congratulations
which we of the nation know TO he
far from the truth. That is true Of
reports sent in Of Brazil Either il
is likened 10 second Paradise, with
Rio de Janeiro. called the, paris" of
South America, in the center Of the
picture, or il is referred to as Mr..
Franck does in his latest book. And
neither view, Of course, is true.
As in any foreign country. there
is much in Brazil which is different
from the United States. And il is a
good thing for the world that this is
so! Business is carried on differently;
social customs are strange TO the new.
conner; climate affects one strangely,
and living conditions seem queer.
But the humble foreigner soon begins
TO learn that there are good reasons
for most Of these changes. The
other type Of newcomer, for whom all
things, good and bad, are TO be done
as in the homeland-well, he either
sickens and goes back home or he
lives disgruntled and cynical the rest
Of his days in the Land Where Things
Are Not As They Ought To Be.
II is a fact that in Brazil politics
need rejuvenating. But we who live
here see the process in evolution.
And we would remind our home
friends that il Is not so very many
years since the palmy days Of Tweed
and Tamany, Of Mark Hanna and
Boss Cox, of Spanish War roast beef
and Platt- United States Express Co.
Senate Hobbies. When one knows the
large spirit Of world cooperation with
which Brazil entered the War and
with which she has become a member
Of the League Of Nations, one is not
inclined TO plume himself as an
American Of the blind spirit Of par
titan hatred which has isolated the
United States in selfish disregard Of
world obligations.
True, this nation needs real and
effective system Of education. Ger
tainly morality is not what it ought
TO be. and higher standard is need
ed. There are a hundred good things
TO be done in Brazil. But the main
point is not so much what one may
observe today as what are the tend
encies and processes in operation
which will effect changes tomorrow.
II one is TO think only Of what is
true today, naturally he becomes dis
couraged. And this applies to every
nation of the globe. But it is the
possibility of change, the observation
Of tendencies at work which bring en-
couragement and give a sound faith
in the essential greatness of the Braz-
ilian people and Of the large part
which it will increasingly play in the
future history CT the world.
Cordially yours,
WalJo na.,,an,