PARALYSING AXIS TRADE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 281, 26 August 1942, Page 5

PARALYSING AXIS TRADE

Banks Seized In Brazil RUSH TO RECRUITING OFFICES

(By Telegraph.—Frees Assn.—Copyright.) (Received August 25, 9.15 p.m.)' NEW YORK, August 24.

A Rio de Janeiro message states that the military police have occupied all German and Italian banks as part of a nation-wide measure to paralyse the business and financial enterprises of Germans and Italians.

Thousands of volunteers lined up at recruiting centres throughout the country and patriotic volunteers mobbed the War Ministry.

Argentina, Peru and Chile have granted Brazil non-belligerent rights, thereby enabling Brazil to use their ports and airfields. Chile and Argentina are the only American countries maintaining diplomatic relations with the Axis.

The Inter-American Defence Board, composed of military representatives of 21 American Republics, unanimously voted adherence of friendship on the occasion of Brazil’s' declaration of war.

The resolution was followed by a typical Latin American demonstration. At the suggestion of the Argentinian military attache the Chilean delegate, Senor Espinosa, who presided, embraced the Brazilian delegate, Senor Bittcncourt, amid a furore. Senor Espinosa told the meeting: “Chilo cannot remain silent and Indifferent to the sinkings of Brazilian ships. My country will continue loyal, sincere, effective and practicable collaboration within the already-defined policy of'contincntal solidarity.” The Brazilian Government has announced the sinking of the Brazilian tanker Louisiana laden with oil, bound for Rio de Janeiro.

The Brazilian authorities have intensified their great round-up of Axis suspects. Among those arrested is a mother superior of German origin at a convent near Florianopolis. She has been charged with communicating with Axis agents by radio. When the police made their swoop one of the nuns at the convent is said to have 'been found connecting a radio transmitter to an aerial hanging in the trees in the convent grounds. Sir Noel Charles, British Ambassador in Brazil, in a communique to the Brazilian Foreign Minister, has expressed the deep satisfaction of the British Government with Brazil’s entry into the war on the side of the United Nations. He stated that the British Government is fully conscious of the signal contributions already made by Brazil to the cause of the democracies. Brazil’s accession to the ranks of the United Nations fighting for freedom is welcomed in England, both for its moral and its strategical significance. Axis Hostility. Brazil’s fellowship with tbe United Nations has for a long time been sealed by every sort of engagement short of an alliance of war, and Germany s and Italy’s enmity against Brazil has been shown 'by hostile acts, among w-hich was war without a declaration, says “The Times.” It adds that Brazilian resources have beeit available to the Allies for some time, and the new ally consequently is eligible for a share in the combined resources of the United Nations, for defence requirements. The United Nations would profit enormously £roin the accession- to their cause of 46,1X10,000 Brazilians, and the moral importance or Brazil’s entry into the war will be not lhe least of her offerings. It would give strength to the Allies as they entered the fourth year of the war and stiffen South America against the Axis. The “Manchester Guardian” comments that President Vargas has shown that even a dictatorship with . totalitarian leanings could be American first and prefer to stand with the democracies. Brazil's harbours could play a large part in the campaign against submarines, and her air bases could be developed for the transatlantic ferry. The “Yorkshire Post” suggests that Germany may have provoked Brazil to war because she was not a strongly militarized country, and because the convoying of her shipping would throw an extra burden on the British and United States navies. Other Republics’ Aid.

Following a meeting of the Peruvian Cabinet it was officially stated in Lima that Peru considers the Axis attacks on Brazilian shipping an aggression against the American republics, in accordance witli the terms of the resolution passed al lhe Havana Conference. Consequently, Peru is according Brazil non-belligerent stilus, which menus that Brazilian shipping can use Peruvian ports and also other normal rights of trade and economic relations. According to Reuter's correspondents in Montevideo and Buenos Aires, Uruguay and Argentina have decided to do the same.

In accordance with the Havana resolution, the Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs will propose that the South American republics remain permanently in consultation regarding collective measures to be taken for the defence of South America. Stressing the solid blood ties which united Brazil and Portugal, the Portuguese Government has sent the following message to the Brazilian Government: “At. the moment, when Brazil finds herself involved in the war. the Government desires to express to her, tu the name of the Portuguese people, the sentiments of fraternal esteem, moral solidarity, ami sincere emotion with which they think of their brothers m the' attitude of sacrifice they have assumed in defence of what they consider to be their honour and their right.