The Argentine Government,
After Twenty Years Of Warfare With Them, Was Compelled, In 1900, To
Withdraw The Troops From Their Outposts And Leave The Savages In
Undisputed Possession.
If the following was the type of civilization
offered them, then they are better left to themselves:
"Two hundred
Indians who have been made prisoners are compelled to be baptized.
The ceremony takes place in the presence of the Governor and
officials of the district, and a great crowd of spectators. The
Indians kneel between two rows of soldiers, an officer with drawn
sword compels each in turn to open his mouth, into which a second
officer throws a handful of salt, amid general laughter at the wry
faces of the Indians. Then a Franciscan padre comes with a pail of
water and besprinkles the prisoners. They are then commanded to rise,
and each receives a piece of paper inscribed with his new name, a
scapulary, and - a glass of rum" [Footnote: Report of British and
Foreign Bible Society, 1900.] What countries these for missionary
enterprise!
After sailing for eighteen days up the river, we transhipped into a
smaller steamer going to Bolivia. Sailing up the bay, you pass, on
the south shore, a small Brazilian customs house, which consists of a
square roof of zinc, without walls, supported on four posts, standing
about two meters from the ground. A Brazilian, clothed only in his
black skin, came down the house ladder and stared at us as we passed.
The compliment was returned, although we had become somewhat
accustomed to that style of dress - or undress.
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