Love Conquers

Across the River of the Dead and deep in the rolling tableland of Brazil's limitless interior live the wild Chavante Indians. Since Portuguese explorers back in 1790 poisoned their water supply, and killed hundreds, these Indians have fought the white man. For years Salesian missionaries sought to win the Chavantes with presents and "pacification through love." The Chavantes would have neither. Six priests of the mission were killed when they ventured too far into the forest.

Starting in 1907, Brazil's great Indian expert, General Candido Rondon, tried his hand. On one memorable march of 2,000 miles, Rondon was twice wounded by arrows. His party never brought one Chavante back to civilization. Its presents were scorned. But Rondon clung to the policy of pacification through love--a policy that became the cornerstone of Brazil's service for the protection of Indians.

Three years ago, the Chavantes again stood in the path of Brazil's great dream--the "March to the West." Airmen of the Brazilian Central Foundation, a grandiose colonizing scheme, dropped on them pots, pans and even pictures of Hollywood pinup girls. That only frightened the Indians. Rondon's Indian Service tried again. More presents were left: machetes, bright cloth. Recently, the Indians nibbled. Every 15 days they gathered in large numbers for the gifts. Last week the 156-year-old war was over. To General Rondon, now 82 and in Rio, the leader of the mission had wired: "I take great satisfaction in communicating to you news of the first amicable meeting with the Chavante Indians. . . ." Toasts had been drunk and some 400 Indians had offered presents in return --great spears with blunt tips. Said the General: "This is the victory of patience suffering and love."

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