The part devoted to the discussion of the proposed public improvements in
Rio de Janeiro has created the greatest satisfaction, as the
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vigorous language used and the
steps already taken by the Government indicate a firm purpose on the
part of the administration to initiate and carry through the approved
plans for, first, a splendid wharf system; second, a modern sewerage
system, and, third, the complete stamping out of yellow fever, of which
there has been a great deal during the past year. With regard to the
latter I may say in passing that the work accomplished in Cuba by our
army of occupation is being frequently cited as an example to be
followed and as proof that Rio de Janeiro, in the same latitude south as
Habana is north, can be freed from the yearly reappearance of that
disease.
In that part of the message devoted to foreign relations you will note
that the United States is mentioned first in the list of those countries
who sent war ships to the inauguration last November. The graceful words
about Cuba may perhaps also be taken as a friendly remark for our
Government. The discussion of the Acre question is clear and is perhaps
the best presentation of the Brazilian point of view and contention that
has yet appeared.
[Inclosure.]
Translation of extracts from the President of
Brazil’s annual message to Congress.
* * * * * * *
In previous documents I have alluded to the public service of making
this capital sanitary, and each time I feel more convinced that in
this act will be found the necessary element for the revival of the
economic life of the country.
Such an undertaking undoubtedly involves doing a great many things
difficult and costly of execution, but the benefits expected are of
such a kind as to make the undertaking necessary.
The defects of the capital affect and disturb the whole national
development. Its restoration in the opinion of everybody would be
the beginning of new life, an incitement to development in the
extensive area of a country which has lands for any crops, climates
for all peoples, and fields for exploitation by all kinds of
capitalists.
The general health conditions of the capital, besides demanding
urgent material improvements, depend on a good water supply, regular
sewage system, soil drainage, public cleanliness, and cleanliness of
private houses.
It seems to me that this great work should, however, be initiated by
carrying out the plans for the improvement of the part which will
constitute the base of the system, and will tend not only toward
bringing about the desirable end mentioned, but also and evidently
to the improvement of the conditions of labor, commerce, and, what
must not be forgotten, the increase of our revenues.
Our duty, which the Government is going to perform, is to initiate
this great public service and never abandon it, even though it will
cost us great sacrifices.
* * * * * * *
foreign relations.
I take pleasure in and note with great pride the act of courtesy of
the United States, England, Portugal, France, and Argentine, in
sending war ships of their navies to bring us good wishes on the
15th of November last.
Our foreign affairs have involved us in very delicate situations for
nearly a year, as a result of the happenings in the Acre, but
happily Brazil continues to enjoy the benefits of peace, and I have
the great happiness of being able to say that our relations with
most of the powers are very friendly. Among these is now included
the Cuban Republic, recognized by us, and for whose prosperity I
have the sincerest good wishes.
Our various boundary questions, so carefully studied by passed
administrations, are being resolved amicably and honorably. Shortly
after the end of our dispute with France over the Guiana territory
the treaty of London of November 6, 1901, by which the litigation of
our frontiers with British Guiana was submitted to the arbitration
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of His Majesty the King
of Italy, went into execution. Mr. Joaquim Nabuco, accredited as
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, on special mission
to the august arbiter, already has had the honor of delivering, in
defense of our cause, the first of the three memorials authorized by
the compromise.
The demarcation of our boundaries with the Argentine Republic is
almost concluded, in accordance with the terms of the agreement of
February 5, 1895, and of the treaty of October 6, 1898.
Our former relations of such cordial friendship with Bolivia have
suffered a not insignificant strain since the time when the
Government of that sister Republic, unable to maintain its authority
in the Acre region, inhabited exclusively, as you know, by
Brazilians who, many years previously, had established themselves
there in good faith, saw fit to deliver it over to a foreign
syndicate upon whom it conferred powers almost sovereign. That
concession, as dangerous for the neighboring nations as for Bolivia
itself, encountered general disapproval in South America. As the
most immediately interested, Brazil, already in the time of my
illustrious predecessor, protested against the contract to which I
refer, and entered upon the policy of reprisals, prohibiting the
free transit by the Amazon of merchandise between Bolivia and
abroad.
Neither that protest nor the counsels of friendship produced at that
time the desired effect in La Paz, and, far from rescinding the
contract or making the hoped-for modifications therein, the Bolivian
Government concluded an especial arrangement for the purpose of
hurrying the entrance of the syndicate into the possession of the
territory.
When I assumed the government that was the situation, and in addition
the inhabitants of the Acre, who had again proclaimed their
independence, were masters of the whole country, excepting Puerto
Acre, of which they did not get possession until the end of
January.
Although since January negotiations have been initiated by us for the
purpose of removing amicably the cause of the disorders and
complications which have had their seat of action in the Acre ever
since the time when for the first time the Bolivian authorities
penetrated thither, in 1899, yet the Government of La Paz has
nevertheless thought proper that its President and his minister of
war should march against that territory at the head of armed forces
with the end in view of crushing its inhabitants and then
establishing the agents of the syndicate.
I thereupon resolved to intervene to protect our fellow-citizens and
prevent further and unnecessary bloodshed, whereupon we could, with
the proper intent, arrive in a short time at a definite arrangement,
honorable and satisfactory for both parties. From the 18th of
January on, instructions were sent to our legation in La Paz to the
effect that in spite of the very broad interpretation which, as a
favor to Bolivia, the Brazilian Government had given through so many
years to article 2 of the treaty of 1867, it would now defend as its
boundary the parallel of 10° 20′ south, which is the dividing line
indicated by both the letter and the spirit of that pact. After the
departure of the expeditions against the Acreans our legation was
instructed to repeat that declaration and to inform the Bolivian
Government that Brazil was going to take military occupation of a
part of the contested territory until the settlement of the dispute
by diplomatic channels. Upon the Bolivian Government agreeing to
this we promptly reestablished freedom of transit for its foreign
commerce by Brazilian waters.
Shortly after this the syndicate, by reason of the indemnity which we
paid it, renounced the concession which had been made it,
eliminating thus this disturbing element.
The negotiations for the modus vivendi necessitated by the new
situation proceeded and there resulted the preliminary agreement
signed at La Paz on March 21. In accordance with its terms the
troops of General Olympie da Silveira already occupy the contested
territory to the east of the Purus between the so-called Cunha Gomes
line and the parallel of 10° 20′, and a Brazilian detachment of
troops is already supposed to have passed to the south of that
parallel to take up their position between the armed Acreans and the
Bolivian forces. These latter, commanded by General Pando, are
supposed to have stopped at the river Orton, sending their advanced
posts as far as the Abunan. If in the period of four months,
counting from March 21, the two Governments can not arrive at a
direct and definite agreement, the said Brazilian detachment of
troops will return to the north of that parallel and the
negotiations will commence for a treaty of arbitration.
It is much to be regretted that the discussion of the definite
agreement has been interrupted when it had scarcely begun, in
January, and that the period of four months from March 21 will, as a
matter of fact, be reduced to two, since the Bolivian minister on
special mission can not be expected to arrive here until the end of
this month.
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I sincerely wish and hope that the two Republics may be able to
arrive at an understanding, settling, as soon as possible, in the
most honorable manner these irritating and too much prolonged
questions. Brazil does not desire an agreement in opposition to the
interests of Bolivia, and holds in the highest appreciation her
friendship.
To the Peruvian Government we have announced, very willingly, since
January that we will examine, with attention, the claims which in
due time they may be pleased to make upon the subject of the
territories now in dispute between Brazil and Bolivia.
Near the mouth of the Amonea, in Alte Jurua, conflicts have unhappily
taken place between the Brazilians there for a long period of time
established and a detachment of Peruvian troops whom the prefect of
Iquitos had sent there in October. With the imperfections of the
maps in existence it is, however, imposssble to say whether that
point is within the Brazilian boundary or in territory indisputably
Peruvian, as our neighbors allege. I am convinced that the questions
relative to these incidents on the frontier will be solved by the
two Governments in the most amicable spirit.
