Evening star., 1941-01-26
New Line Will Join
East, West Coasts
Of South America
Economic Developments
In BruziI Outrunk
Naval Expansion
SptCial Dispatch to The Star.

ntCial Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK. Jan. 25-Latin
American progress toward total de-
fense OF the Western Hemisphere
was pointed up this month with the
launching of two additional destroy
erS for the Brazilian Navy, but more
important than its naval expansion
is the simultaneous activity on
BraZil'S economic front.
In report to Business Week today
from the magazines correspondent
in Rio de Janeiro it is stated that
especially significant are plans for
developing the tremendous uneX-
plotted natural resources of the
Amazon Valley and for speeding
completion of the last link of the
long projected tranSContinental rail-
road connecting Santos. Brazil, with
africa, Chile.
Completion of this railroad has
been hanging fire in Brazil for years
the article points out. 1t is to pass
through Bolivia and will provide an
outlet on the Atlantic through Bra
lillian ports for Bolivian oil and tin
It also will connect the state of
Matto Crosse. one of the richest
agricultural regions in the world
covering an area IL times as large
as all New England, with both the
Pacific and the Atlantic With more
than 100000 head of cattle and
important deposits OF gold, iron
manganese. platinum, diamonds and
sapphireS, MattO Crosse is poten-
tiallv the richest state in Brazil.
Raw Materials Arsenal.
Another vital part OF the tre-
mendOuS Job CT making the Western
Hemisphere economically lndepend-
ent is the opening up of the vast
reservoir Of natural resources, as vet
scarcely scratched. included in the
immense territory drained by the
upper reaches OF the Amazon. The
Importance Of the region was en-
phaSized recently by an inspection
undertaken bV President Vargas.
The State of Amazonas. with an
area of 73l363 square miles and a
ponulatiOn OF less than 100000. Is
one of the largest uneXploited
sources of natural wealth IN the
world. saws Business Week
Uncertain conditions in the Far
East have focused attention on Bra
lillian rubber, and ManaoS, the cap
ital OF AmazonaS. 1000 miles up
the Amazon. may again see some
thing of the prosperity which built
a S50OO.000 opera house there dur
inc the original rubber boom OF &c
years ago.
Recent agreement on long-dls-
puted boundaries III the hitherto
ummapped mountain regions Dor
dering the Gulanas have given
Brazil rich gold and diamond de-
posts which are already being
worked The possibility Of great
oil wealth in Amazonas has beer
confirmed by United States special
lists working for the Brazilian gov
ernment
L. ;. Experts Help.
With the aid Of experts from the
United States. it i stated, the de-
velonment Of the entire region en-
braclng the 3OO0-mile Amazon
River IS being attacked from many
angles.
Old fashioned WoOd-burnIng river
boats are rapidly being replaced by
oil burning steamers to speed ur
commercial traffic. increase trade
and facilitate movement of troops
ard equipment in case of war.
improved sanitary water systems
HOSPITALS and clinics are making the
low-lving regions along the river
more healthful for the 5000 Bra
lillian technicians. workers and
their families recently settled by
the Government IN the area.
Other signs of life include rccla-
nation of the famous Madeira
MamOre Railroad. cOstlieSt 273 miles
Of track in the world Built by Brit
ish capital during the rubber boom
at a cost of S37,OO0.OOO and "a life
| for every tie" this railroad was ma
tionaliZed by Brazil in 1881 and Is
now back in use. Repair work Is
also being done on the 100000
floating docks. also built by British
interests, to accommodate ocean
/ going steamers travelling the 100(
/ ,,,iIec I'M tho Amazon to MapaoS