THE DARK SIDE "OP SOUTH AMERICA.

Evening Star, Issue 14788, 1 February 1912, Page 2

THE DARK SIDE "OP SOUTH AMERICA.

The discovery of South America was Mid to bo the'great event of the second Hague. Conference. We have heard much of fho wealth, enterprise, resources, and commercial progress of the South American States. —" Almost Universal!" — Another and a. very terrible- side is given in 'Blackwood' for "November, in an article on the immigrant in South America. The writer says : "All mo;i are armed in Brazil. The central Government are weak. The Bra zilians increase slowly or not at nil. Beinn-, with few exceptions, half-breeds, they need to be continually recruited by the unmixed race on either side, or else they tend to die o>:t. Their families are email and unhealthy. It is not easy to explain whv. The- facts'are well known, but they are' shameful to name. The reader will allow u* to sr.y no more than this: that a certain hereditary disease- is not only widely prevalent, but is all but universal in Brazil." The English, French, and German settlerr, evi look after themselves, or are generally protected by the capitalists who employ 'them. The Italians come in great numbers to help in the coffee harvest, hut ■thev return in great numl>ers. The writer asks : "How comes it that the. new comers f.houkl be so eager to go away again?" Ho rnswer?: "The reason is that the Governmento of these countries do not protect the, pettier against the feather-headed, brutal, and corrupt usage at the hands of judicial and police officials." —"Whitv Slave" Traffic M-anv immigrants a-re far from desirable. " The "' white slave' tradio is hoiiibly active along the South American coast. Companies of high repute are not ashamed to profit by its money. There is no secrecy about the" thing. It is obtruded on the notice "f the tirct class passengers by the flaunting ewaggcr of persons of both sexes who come ar.d go regularly, and who-.i purpose is notorious. I hey take a first class cabin for themselves, and. perhaps a score of second and third class berths for thoso thev bring with them. The captain will tell" vnu that (hoy could he stopped, and that'll'- hate.'- 10' see his fine- ship turned into—and he uses a very plain word. But the companies do not act." —Police —Kotten.— The immigrant could be easily protected if the police did their duty. But " tho judicial and police establishments ot South America are generally for a.ny purpose except- the avewed one. They are the political agents of tho men in power, and beetusc they are indispensable they must not he punished for their cxcer.se.--. 'I heir hand is boyvy on the pcor settler in town or country." If a commissary of police desires the good-looking daughter of a small tradesman, and finds hmiuelt denied, he will tax the father to ruin. In Buenos Avrcs itccif, which beasts pro fusclv of i'tf- civilisation, the police, mostly Indians from Salta, have seized women m the streets." The- spifitinl prlice is not muen better. "From Mexico southwards the disorder* «>t the clergy, secular or regular, are notorious. IVciT.t-bt-h.-ived clerics can only be obtained bv imncrting them. The- men who po.-scss what pa.'ses for education in South America are as destitute of all re[icons belief r.s of c-exunl morality." Tns only wav in which Ttaiy can prevent, her hclples? 'pins being exploited a:td abused is bv frrbiddim; the"recruiti!ig of labor by the scent"; ei South American em plovers.