Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-19

The widespread revolution now re-
ported to be daily gaining neadway IN
Brazil marks the elimination OF the
third Of her great economic cetas-
trophies. The largest Of the South
American republics, Brazil has been
regarded Is among the most stable.
In three unhappy chapters Brazil
writes her history OF periodic disaster,
each chapter marking q serious set
back in her development. However, on
each occasion the great nation has re-
covered and gone forward to greater
development than she had known be-
fore.
The three calamities related to
gold, to rubber and 70 coffee. On three
occasions. Brazil rested heavily on
single commodity. From each, IN sue
cession, she sought . chief, almost .
sole, source of national wealth. Ma
tional attention. in each case, became
intensely concentrated. And In each
adventure she came to grief
The first chapter relates to gold.
Brazil was colonized by the Portuguese.
The eastward bulge Of South America
was located east Of the Pope's line. q
north and south line arbitrarily estab-
lished by the Pope to settle differences
between Spanish and Portuguese dis
coveres OF the New World concerning
dominion over territory. To the Span
iSh were allotted the lands west of the
Pope's line, where the Portuguese re-
cetved those to the east. At the time,
the Pope was favorable to Spain. He
aid not believe there was much, If any,
land east of the line he established.
He reckoned without knowledge Of
what the Portuguese explorers should
find-the vast territory OF Brazil.
Portuguese colonists went out in rela-
ardous enterprise to cross the seas and
enter upon a strange and unknown
land, peopled by savages. BY 1860 not
more than 100000 white Europeans,
mostly Portuguese. were to be found in
Brazil. In that year gold was discov-
cred. These adventures had no ties
70 hold them to any particular planta-
tons or settlements. Very little fixed
property had been established. It was
In the nature Of things that the popu-
latton, almost to man, nocked to the
gold fields. The movement was COM
parable to the American gold rush to
California In 1649, save that 1t affected
. TAR larger proportion of the popu-
latior.
Gold Retards Development
The district where gold was found
was known as Minas Geraes. This dis
trict today Is encompassed In the pres
ent Brazilian State Of the same name
The words are Portuguese for general
mines" Gold, however, was the chief
mineral.
Entering upon this find, the whole
population, practically, gave up all other
ideas for development of the rich col
ony and turned to the mining of gold
The usual viciSsitudes Of fortune were
INST. but sufficient gold continued to be
found for long enough period to fore
stall any serious attention being given
70 other pursuits. Brazil was thought
to be the tabled FL Dorado from which
the Indians had mined the gold fol
their temples and for q century little
attention was given anything else
Some $300,000,000 In gold was taker
out.
But the Portuguese court levied on this
| so heavily that little was left In Brazil
to develop the country. Those who
made rich strikes went home to Portu.
gal to spend their fortunes. Many, Of
course, succumbed to the hard luci
which dogs so many prospectors and
they were Of little use IS improvers Of