The Washington herald., 1922-08-27
Under the Southern Cross.

DRAZIL, greatest of Latin-American repub-
ID lies, will celebrate the centennial of her
independence the seventh of September. The
United States shows every disposition to help in
the observance. 1t will be, without doubt, gala
day IN the history of the republican idea.
The South American nation has the most
brilliant prospects, perhaps, of all world states.
She has wealth of natural resources which has
barely been tapped. She has progressive patriotic
government. She has intelligent citizenry. The
strides made by Brazil during the past few years
have been most remarkable. Great cities have
sprung up. Mile after mile of jungle has been
transformed into fertile fields. Her educational
system has been revolutonized Her people have
attained increased prosperity. II the same prog
ress continues Or another century the nation is
bound to be one of the four or FIVE premier powers
of the world
There is too great a tendency often feel,
for Americans to depreciate the prospects of Latin
American nations. There is too great inclna-
ton to underestimate the marvellous development
which has taken place during the past century.
The South American people have subdued nature
in peculiar continent. They have been obliged to
fight against semtropica conditions everywhere.
They have coped with many difficulties which
were unknown to American pioneers
Much of Brazil of course, still is jungle
almost impenetrable jungle In some parts Of this
great earthquakes in extent only than the United
States, Great Britain, Russia and China-white
men never have ventured But year after year
agriculture is pushed further and further into the
tropical tangle. Year after year towns spring
up further in the interior.
The cities of Brazil rank with the most beau
tful and the most progressive in the world. They
are wonder spots under the Southern Cross TJav-
elers marvel at them. From them many cities of
the United States learn valuable lessons.
Brazil offers substantial hope for the poverty
stricken Of the world. Wonderful oppor-
tunities always exist wherever there is undevel-
oped land This the southern republic has to offer
What she most needs is men and more men
intelligent, hard-working, ambitious men. She
needs the thrifty peasants of crowded Europe
with their inherited culture and their determine
tion to rise in the world She needs to become a
melting pot for the excellent stocks of the Cau-
easian race-for the Russian people, the Balkan
people the Italian people, the Austrian people and
the rest.
The nation has had a picturesque and compli-
mentary history Alone of new world nations she
supported monarchy for time after the shackles
of European royalty had been cast off But her
people were essentially republican in ideals The
example of Brazil proved conclusively that there
place for hereditary thrones in the new
world. The people of the Western hemisphere are
not constituted that they can kow-tow to
crowned heads for long. Brazirs great develop.
ment has been under the republican form of gov
ernment. 1t will continue under the same form
of government
She starts her second century of independent
life with prospects of which all other nations may
we'll be jealous.