ABSTRACT
British companies continued vigorously in competition on South American routes. Pacific Steam operated fortnightly services from Liverpool/Birkenhead via Bordeaux, Spanish ports and Lisbon to and from Brazil and the River Plate en route to the west coast. Lamport & Holt advertised weekly services from Liverpool to Brazil as well as weekly services direct to the Plate, some terminating in Rosario, increasingly important for grain and wool exports. British interests soon adapted to the opportunities offered by the altered situation, as did the new Brazilian government, which was anxious to secure Britain's recognition of the Republic and access to loan funds to develop and maintain economic development. The obstacles were great: while services to the West Indies remained relatively stable, revolution in Colombia apart, Brazil and Argentina continued politically and economically in turmoil, with periodic disease outbreaks adding greatly to the difficulties.
