THE IMMIGRATION SITUATION IN BRAZIL.

The Republic of the United States of Brazil has an area of 3,218,991 square miles, exceeding that of continental United States, exclusive of Alaska, by over 192,000 square miles. It lies almost wholly within the torrid zone, but its extensive mountain ranges and table-lands modify the climate to a marked extent. Its vast fertile plains yield all the products of the Tropics, and it has an immense wealth of natural resources. Its forests are as yet almost untouched; its enormous mineral wealth has hardly been tapped, while grazing and agriculture, the two industries to which it is perhaps best adapted, are still far behind their possible development.

In 1907 the population was estimated to be 19,910,646, or a little more than six persons per square mile, the density of the population being about one-fifth that of the United States.

IMMIGRATION POLICY.

Comparing the sparse population with the evident need of developing the resources of the country, it is readily understood why the Government should use every means to stimulate and encourage immigration. The Brazilian immigration law is most liberal in its provisions for immigrants. Besides giving them free passage, it promises to take care of them upon arrival at any Brazilian port, for a stated time, transport them to their destination, and to provide them with free tools and seeds, as well as medicine and care for their families. The ultimate aim of the Government is to build up a class of peasant proprietors, who shall at the same time be available for work on the great coffee plantations.

An attempt, or several attempts, to import Japanese agricultural colonists have not met with the expected success. It is said that the Japanese have too great a tendency to drift to the towns and cities. to make them successful colonists.

This movement of the Government is in line with their general policy of establishing agricultural colonies in the endeavor to secure the development of these industries. Bureaus of immigration and colonization have been established, offering every guarantee to prospective settlers.

The question of immigration and colonization has always been a subject of great importance to the legislators of Brazil. The Government has realized that the growth of industry and the development of the country's resources would be enhanced by a constant and sufficient stream of incoming settlers, especially of agricultural workers. As far back as 1818, 1824, and 1830, earnest efforts were made to induce the immigration of peasants from Switzerland and Germany and to introduce with them European agricultural methods, as well as scientific and industrial improvements.

Year.

SOURCES OF IMMIGRATION.

Brazilian immigration statistics are admittedly incomplete and faulty, but the authority referred to below presents figures showing that from 1820 to 1907, inclusive, a total of 2,561,482 immigrants arrived in that country.

The sources of this immigration and the development of the movement according to nationalities are shown by the following table:

TABLE 1.—Immigration to Brazil, 1820 to 1907, inclusive, by nationality. [Compiled from report issued for the Universal Exposition, 1908, under Ministry of Agriculture.]

Total.. 56, 8923, 716 11, 068 19, 269 93, 075 1, 213, 167 634, 585 54, 593 288, 646 3, 7809, 086 11, 731 161, 874 2,561, 482

Total.

The importance of each nationality as a factor in the immigration movement to Brazil during the period covered by the foregoing table is shown as follows:

TABLE 2.-Immigration to Brazil, 1820 to 1907, inclusive, by nationality; per cent distribution.

[Compiled from report issued for the Universal Exposition, 1908, under Ministry of Agriculture.]

Italy has been the greatest single source of immigration to Brazil. In the eighties great numbers came whose passage from Italy was supplied free by the Brazilian Government. But in the late nineties a crisis in coffee growing occurred. Stories of failure to pay wages, of corporal punishment and other evils, reached Italy, and the Italian Government discouraged further immigration. As a consequence emigration from Italy fell off greatly.

The Italians go mostly to the immense coffee plantations of the southern States of Sao Paulo, Espiritu Santo, and Minas Geraes. The Spanish and Portuguese go to the north, and the Germans to Rio Grande do Sul, and Santa Catherina.

The following table derived from Italian sources shows the extent of Italian emigration to Brazil from Italy from 1878 to 1906.

TABLE 3.—Emigration from Italy to Brazil, 1878 to 1906, inclusive.

There is a considerable return movement from Brazil to Italy, as is shown in the following table, the figures being taken from official Italian statistics:

TABLE 4.-Number of Italians who returned to Italy from Brazil, 1887 to 1903, inclusive.

The immigration law of Brazil is liberal and comprehensive. It is designed to facilitate desirable immigration and to exclude the undesirable. Complete and effective cooperation is contemplated between the Union, the States, and private enterprises, for the purpose of settling and developing the country.

IMMIGRANTS DEFINED.

All aliens under 60 years of age and traveling on second or third class passage are deemed immigrants unless they are criminals, rogues, beggars, vagabonds, lunatics, or invalids, are plying illicit trades, or are afflicted with any contagious disease. The disabilities enumerated bar admission. Persons over 60 years of age or incapacitated for work are admitted only when they are accompanied by their family and evidence is adduced of ability to provide support.

RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS.

Immigrants settling in the country and engaging in agriculture, industry, trade, or any useful craft or profession are guaranteed entire liberty of action, are allowed free access to any trade or other pursuit not inimical to public safety, health, or morals, and are granted complete religious liberty and the general civil rights enjoyed by Brazilian citizens under the constitution.

NUCLEUS COLONIES.

Nucleus colonies consist of selected divisions of territory in process of settlement and development. They may be established by either public or private initiation. Locations are determined by the general resources and value. Immigrants with families who intend to purchase land will be assisted by the Government in paying their passage to Brazil. They will also be assisted in making the first install

"Appendix, p. 217.

ment on the land and in purchasing farming implements and equipment, provided that they present on arrival a certificate of age, identity, occupation, character, and nationality, signed by an authorized Brazilian representative abroad.

REPATRIATION.

The Government will repatriate agricultural immigrants who have entered Brazil at State expense within two years prior to filing request for same and who have resided continuously with the head of the family, but whose absence or incapacity induces the request. Persons eligible are widows and orphans destitute of support, wives and minor children of immigrants who are afflicted or unable to provide support, and immigrants incapacitated by incurable disease, accident, or lack of resources.