CORRESPONDENCE
A LETTER FROM BRAZIL [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SAO- PAULO, BRAZIL.
February 3rd, 1926. $in,—Carnival falls just a fortnight from now. Already the people, anticipating the wild joys of confetti, serpentinas and scent-sprays, are occupied mentally and materially in making the necessary preparations ; and lest the skies should prove inclement on the days consecrated to Momus, have for some days been rehearsing in public that mimic warfare of Folly. For in Brazil as well as in England the rain is accustomed to fall on Sundays, Saints' Days, Feast Days and Holidays. Not that one can grumble at the rain with any real show of justice, seeing a drought of eighteen months has just been brought to a successful and happy conclusion. But the wily Latin is not so disposed to accept the incon- venient caprices of nature, as the more stolid Saxon. It is quite true that " paciencia " is a great virtue, and it is often practised, but on occasions like this the risk of waiting is too great. What the Wakes are to the Yorkshire and Lancashire operative, Carnival is to the Latin. A wet Carnival is worse, though shorter, than a wet August in England. Conse- quently the resourceful descendant of Rome's greatness and the Peninsulas' glory, not to be caught napping, takes Time by the forelock and begins his carnival early, weeks ahead.
But even so, this interesting festival is on the decline, its popularity is on the wane. In Rio, perhaps as a result of the state of siege, a remnant of the disturbances caused by the disaffected, masks are forbidden, popular skits on well- known politicians are suppressed, topical catch words are dangerous to utter, and lines of merrymakers with joined hands sweeping the streets and encircling the fair, as once in St. Giles', are dispersed by the unsympathetic guardians of the peace.
And that being so, it is not to be wondered at that the country is now being favoured with the introduction of the Income Tax. This novelty, which brings to the local Briton's eyes visions of the Channel Islands, is gradually taking root. The foreigner, being accustomed to the idea, merely mutters under his breath the usual anathemata : the native is shyer and more cautious. The former pays, the latter dallies with the matter seeking a more satisfactory solution. But Time teaches Wisdom, and finally all will pay, though reluctantly. This tax, together with increased taxes on postage, receipts, imports, local products, steamship tickets, &c., all go to help the present Government in its serious efforts to re- establish the finances of the country. The steamship ticket impost is rather interesting. The tax is on the individual who leaves the country ; one may enter free of charge.
There is no doubt that the present Government is honestly carrying out a very distasteful duty. It is lessening the expenditure, which means that many delightful men who perhaps through the ties of nature and family have a good claim on the favours of politicians and those in power are going to be among the unemployed, and unfortunately for them there is not here the solace of the " dole." If there were, all would be well, and many Britons might become naturalized. Also the paper issue is being steadily diminished. Hence money becomes scarcer to the individual, though its worth, as compared with foreign currency, perforce becomes greater.
The Coffee-Protection Loan is, of course, a most excellent
investment, paying as it does finally over 100%, and in any case Brazil is fully worthy of all the money that foreign financiers care to put into her, being a country most intelligent as to the advantages of the introduction of foreign capital and most reasonable in her treatment of the foreigner.
Reference has already been made to the two Presidents, the actual President and the President-Elect. The former, Dr. Arthur Bernardes, is one of the most conscientious statesmen imaginable, and honest with the simple honesty of the Mineiro. He had previously been Secretary of Finance and later President of the State of Minas Geraes. On being elected President he was warned by his friends and well- wishers of the dangers that would surely await him if he persevered in accepting and occupying the post of President, and intrigue went so far as to publish a letter, said to have been written by Dr. Bernardes, but an evident forgery, containing statements injurious to the good name of the military classes and casting doubts on their loyalty. In spite of the amount of feeling produced by the publication of this forged document and the many rumours prevalent as to the plots against his life, Dr. Bernardes steadfastly and calmly carried out his plans,. placing the welfare of the country before any other consideration of personal interests, and in November of 1922 was duly installed President of this great country.
Ever since then he has with the same equanimity followed the path laid down by his foresight for the bettering of Brazil's finances. Further, with the idea of avoiding for him successor the annoyances and dangers of a disgruntled oppo- sition, he ordered a Convention, attended by the repre- sentatives of all the municipalities, to decide on the candidate to be presented to the voters. As a result, the name of Dr. Washington Luiz was accepted by an overwhelming majority. - The President-Elect, Dr. Washington Luiz, comes from the State of Sao Paulo, of which he was formerly Prefect and then President. He will doubtless carry on the work of financial regeneration and bring it to a successful issue within the early part of his term ; but the chief plank of his platform is the development of transportation by motor traffic. Already in Sao Paulo great strides have been made in this direction, inspired and fostered by him, and the advantages resulting from communications thus established are to be shared in the future by other States also. In this manner the untold resources of the interior will be enormopsly developed, and valuable products, hitherto in many cases abandoned for lack of transport, cheaply and quickly brought to the markets. As a travelled man, Dr. Washington Luiz fully appreciates modern business methods and organization, and under his guidance the country will not be able to avoid the immense prosperity which awaits her.
And now there is to be a boom of Brazil, the only place in the world where the Garden of Eden may be said to exist still. The only country of the size of a continent which has no deserts in its interior, but offers boundless tracts of fertile land to the breeder and unclaimed mountain ranges to the prospector.—I am, Sir, &c., YOUR CORRESPONDENT IN BRAZIL.
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