| Show PROSPECTS OF reciprocity thin THE reciprocity treaty between the united states and brazil went into effect on the let ast mot I 1 in n the trade relations of these two countries this is equal to a revolutionary marking point the german and english traders in brazil used every means they could command to prevent the completion ot oi this I 1 inter avorlean state commercial alliance next to the united states brazil is the largest most influential and wealthiest of the independent american states and it is fitting that reciprocity should commence with it sanguine oom commercial mercial philosophers contend that in this brazilian develop ment lies the germ which will bloom into a continental trade empire embracing of people the english language is spoken by one half of them and it is largely the language of trade among the other half there may be differences both ethnological and in the spiritual systems of the many peoples dwelling on this continent but none are so great that humanity civilization and the ordinary observances of cultivated society can not remove or at least modify but there is one other factor which cannot be passed over in computing a scheme of this magnitude that is the interference of european nations england stands foremost in this mater e r she owns in the north territory equal it il not greater in area than the united states she owns a large possession in british guiana and she is claiming twice as much more germany is pushing her trade in all the americas large numbers of germane are settling in various parts of the american continent they cling to thir their language customs and traditions they maintain relationship with their fatherland behind them they have a strong government and what the future may produce it is not easy to divine but it must be remembered that in a continental reciprocity scheme england and germany must not be counted out As far as opening trade between all the important cities of the atlantic coast both north and south it can be done without any reprehensible extravagance trava gance it only requires a line of steamships and if something should be done in the way of subsidy we should not be too captious or critical great works cannot be performed in any of the walks of life without some sacrifice but if the subsidy business should be made a field for adventurers and politicians then most certainly A C the whole reciprocity project will be wrecked the nicaragua canal promises great advantages when completed already there are persons who contend that this to Is being made a scheme to rob the united states treasury however its usefulness if completed cannot be doubted it will afford easy communication ni between the pacific and at gantte coast cities and for reciprocity purposes this is most important por tant in addition there is the con templates tem plated international inter national continental railroad which will extend from the northern shores of british america to far patagonia in the south the work is practicable and there is every reason to believe that in the not distant future it will be accomplished everything points to the format formation iov of a great continental empire but whether this will be effected by trade or by some other agency such as religion or politics remains to be seen at all events we are on the eve of tremendous developments and in our time many strange things are likely to happen in view of the present trend of afi kirs such of us as have a taste for american history and liter literature stare might do well in giving some consideration to the laws language literature and religion of the central and south american nations time expended on this study will not be thrown away in fact it looks as it if in a commercial sense seam it might be a good investment |
