Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-11-28


beach; lonely lighthouses; sandy
Araby scenery, with goats proving
sand dunes for stray plant life; odd
boats Of five spliced logs and dirty
sail, awash from stem to stern so that
two fishermen aboard work standing
In water; fish-traps like long picket
fences In coastal shadows: grass
rooted huts on far apart stretches of
coconut-shaded beach, an idyllic Rob-
inson Crusoe setting: these sights
the air traveller along Brazil's coast
sees, while much empty country and
few busy towns that America never
heard of, slip under him.
Take Fortaleza, often called Ceara.
| in the state of that name. 1t is one
OF the many ports scattered down this
seaplane path that help consume the
| ever-growing stream of shop-made
things we must export if we are to
keep our mills running full time. Walk
its noisy, narrow, cobble-stoned
streets and see how American ma
chimes and methods mark its life
Broadway melodies crooned by Yam
kee talking machines to soothe a
roomful of bob-haired dressmakers;
another roomful of girls demonstrate
ing sewing machines; buses. trucks
motor cars, typewriters, cash regis
tiers, fountain pens, printing presses,
corn peppers, vending machines, cam
eras, garages with young Brazilian
boys using American tools, ferris
wheels. merry-go-rounds, gas stoves.
electric equipment, movie houses
even movie-fan magazines In the ma
tive language but printed in the
States; telephones, street cars, wire
less-a city of 100000 whose very
name few Americans ever heard. Yet
a good customer Of ours. paying us
for what it buys with skins and vege-
table wax, or with cash from cotton
sold to Liverpool.
Here, as in all cities which stand
along this world transportation route,
American capital and management
help build up the public utilities. And
here the people bless the Rockefeller
foundation for killing their old enemy
| the mosquito.
Natal and Bahia.
Rounding the shoulder of South
America one passes Cape San ROGUE,
which aviators say is their nearest
point from which to quit this coast
for Europe. Below 1t stands Natal
the well-known western terminus Of
Africa-Brazil flights. Here, too, con-
verges the air-web of plane paths
which collect South American mail for
Europe, which mail is sent from here
to Dakar, Africa. by speedy French
dispatch boats and there put again
on planes for Europe. The French
hope in time to set up transatlantic
air-mail line between Natal and OAK
ar. Five air lines now serve this town
of 10000. Natal reveals proof of
Brazils interest in air travel. You see
hangers for seaplanes, radio towers,
Brazil's first civilian school for ayia-
tors, and fine flying field for land
planes.
"NA "a Ouho INT lnCdSlCTn StlOul-
der Of Brazil lies Bahia. Between
this port city and the United States
close ties exist. California owes a big
debt to Bahia. In 1871 Richard Edes.
then United States consul at Bahia,
sent to the Department of Agriculture
in Washington some navel orange
trees. A letter went back to the con-
sui, saying: you have placed the de-
partment in possession of one of the
most desirable varieties of oranges
known; and one which it has much
desired. You omitted to in
close your BILL" From this simple
start-for which a pioneer Yankee
consul did not even send his bill for
expenses-was to arise horticultural
achievement without parallel In the
migration of fruit trees.
Bahia is the site of the Oldest CIV
ilization in South America. Half
century before the first white settle
ments in the United States 1t was a
Portuguese colony. Named by Amerigo
Vespucci and his band, for centuries
1t led a turbulent life, assailed by
| pestilence, famine, Indians, and Lis
bon's old enemies the Dutch. Often
| the Indians devoured large bands of
settlers. The military commander and
the whole population of the colony at
Cayru were butchered while attending
church and eaten. Yellow fever was
epidemic for three centuries. On one
occasion 20 pirates were hanged at
the same time and place. For gen.
erations all Lisbon trading ships came
to Bahia guarded by gunboats against
| pirateS and other enemies.