Discurso do Rio Amazonas

e • • Speech of the I~iver Arr1azon To see Amazonia is a great desíre che– rised by all Brazilians in their, youth– ful days. From the very beginning of the study of our great country this marvelous valley appears to the young mind as a symbol of territorial grandeur, the unequalled fertility, the phenomena peculiar to pri– milive life and to the struggle for exis- ' tance through out its picturesque and dangerous vastness ... It is natural that so strong and dra– matic a picture of Brazilian nature should allure the young and take root in their imagination, growing firmer as time goes on, fed by the study of works of writers who know, and by lhe impres– sions of travellers and arlists likewise captivated by its multiple and unspea– kable channs. The legends of Amazonia are deep rooted in the spirit of the race, and ils history founded on gallantry and virile audacity, reflects the tragic magesty of struggles waged against fate. To con– quer the land, master the waters and subdue the forest were our tasks. And in this struggle, already centuries old, we are winning victory after victory . The city of Manaos is not the least of them. Many others have been won by the constancy of our efforts and the persistent endeavour of achievement. Just as the !)ictured image of the River– Sea is to Brazmans the mea·mre of the greatness of Brasil, so, by synthesis, are your problems those of the whole coun– try. 'You need to intensify the density of the population, to increase production and improve the means of transport . Up to the present time the greally ·slandered climate has prevented lhe influx from other overpopulated coun– tries of contigents of human elements, which Amazonia, so badly needs. The notion, to-day disproved, became wide– spread that equatorial regions are incon– genial to civilization. Facls and advances in technical research prove the contrary and show, as in our own case, how it is possible, along the banks of the great river, to implant a unique and peculiar civilization, rich in vital elements and capable- of growing and prospering . 'Yet - it must be courageously ackno– wledged - ali that has been done - whether in agriculture or in the extra– tive industries - is but the outcome of empirical toil, which must now give place to rational exploitation. What nature offers is a magnificent gift, demanding treatment and improvement by the hand of man. From scattered colo– nizalion deterinined by fleeting interes– ts, which is merely a consumer of energ·y with scant results, we must pass on to concentration and the firm establishment of human possibilities. The venturesome courage and resistance of Brazilians have been remarkably demonstrated in the exploration of "black gold.. and nuts which cost so many vrecious lives. With elements of such value, no longer dis– persed in the forest, but concentrated and methodically located, it will surely be possible to renew lhe crusading of the pioneering days and conquer, little by liltle, the great enemy of progress on the Amazou - lhe immense unpeopled space. The time has come when we must think seriously of the peopling of lhe Amazon Valley in a permanent manner. At present the situation continues that of dispersion. The northeasterner with his !)ioneering instinct forced bis way through the jungle, clearíng tracks of penetration and bleeding the wild rub– ber tree, but soon passed on according lo the necessities of his own nomadic acti– vity. The ·natives, on other part, in but superficial contact with this mode of Uving, remained along the banks of the rivers, their activities being limited to hunting, fishing and planting during· the dry season to supply their immediate personal needs. Such men, of undoubtedly extraordi– nary resistance and steady courage, as witnessed during the heroic times of our reconquest of territory under the leader- . ship of Placido de Oaslro and lhe diplo- matic protection of Rio Branco, can no longer constitute the main elements of the progress of the region at a time when human endeavour, to be socially useful, needs to be concentrated in a technical and disciplined manner. The roaming nature of the rubber bleeder and the economic instability of the inhabitants along the river banks must cede to nu– clei of native tillers of the soil who, re– ceiving free of charge allotments of land already cleared, drained and made sanitarily fit for habitation, may settle and rear his family in health and con– fort : The astonishing movement of natio– nal reconstruction embodied in the new system of government eslablished on November lOth, could not forget you, because yours is the land of the future, the promised land in the history of the Brazil of tomorrow . 'Your definite in– gress into the economic body of the Na– tion as a factor of prosperity and crea– tive energy' is going to take place wi– thout dealay. I carne to see and to observe on the • spot conditions for the realization of tbe plan for the uplifting of Amazonia . The whole of Brasil has its eyes turned to– wards the north, with the patrotic de– sire of assisting its development. And not only Brazilians; but fo– reigners as well as, technicians and bu– siness men, will come to collaborate in this work, giving their experience and their capital, with lhe object of in– creasing commerce and industries and not, as in time past, seeking possession of large areas of land which legitimately belong to the Brazilian "cabloco" . 'Y our Government, under the leadership of the Federal Delegate Alvaro Maia, as man of lucid intelligence and de– voted Iove for bis birth placc.. will take advantage of the opportunity to elevate the State and prepare the foundation of its prosperity . The troubled period through which the world is passing demands great sa– crifices from ali Brazilians. 1 know that