Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 20.
There is a keen rivalry between aeroplane manufacturers of the United States, France, Great Britain and Italy for the privilege of developing commercial aviation in Brazil. All of them have had representatives here for months endeavouring to interest the Government in their projects or to obtain concessions permitting them to operate aerial freight and passen ger lines.
The British Handley-Page Company has obtained a Government concession to establish an air line for passengers and cargo between the principal cities of Brazil, but no British machines have yet arrived. It is said that £2,000,000 has been set aside to develop air routes by this concern along the entire coast from Pernambuco to Buenos Aires with stations at eight points on the way. It is stated that powerful © machines of the four-motor type capable of carrying a ton of freight and 25 passengers will be used. The British company proposes to operate the lines until Brazilian companies are organized to take over the business and buy the aeroplanes.
One American company has two expert aviators and four machines here, but it is not known that they have done anything other than to give some exhibition flights. An-plication has been made to the Government for permission to establish a limited passenger service in the vicinity of this city.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.