Brazil Goes To War Against Axis Powers

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1942, Page 3

Brazil Goes To War Against Axis Powers

Uruguay also expected to join belligerent. Rec. 10.30 p.m. Washington, Aug. 22. The Brazilian Ambassador has officially notified the State Department that his country is at war with Germany and Italy. The United Press o£ America reports that there are strong indications that Uruguay will immediately follow Brazil into the war. The Foreign Minister, Senor Alberto Buani, in a statement issued at Montevideo said: "We are absolutely accompanying Brazil." The! Brazilian Embassy, in a statement, said Brazil declared war on Germany and Italy in defence of her dignity and sovereignty after the torpedoing of five coastal passenger ships with the loss of more than 600 lives. The embassy added: "The sinking of these vessels in Brazilian waters was undoubtedly an act of direct aggression against Brazil whereby the war was extended to South America." The United States Secretary of State, Mr. Coddell Hull, cabled the Brazilian Foreign Minister, Senor Aranha, that the Axis aggression against Brazil emphaeised the basic principle that attack against any of the American republics is an attack on all. He added: "To-day each of the 21 republics is equally in danger." The Brazilian Ambassador said the declaration of war did not include Japan because "we have suffered no aggression by the Japanese," The New York Times says the Brazilian army consists of 100,000 trained troops plus reserves of about 300,000 out of a population of 44,000,000. The United States has shipped to Brazil undisclosed quantities of lease-lend materials recently but the Brazilian army probably does not conform either in size or equipment to European standards. Little information is available concerning the air force but its total personnel of 3675 indicates that at present it is incapable of waging offensive war. However, the United States has naval and air missions in Brazil and strenuous efforts have been made to bring the services up-to-date. It is believed that tlie principal immediate effect of Brazil's belligerency will be intensified co-operation with the United States armed forces. Brazil is also expected to take sterner measures against her large German and Italian populations, which may constitute a serious problem. The War Ministry announced that 169 army officers and men were lost in the Baependy, Itagiba and Araragara sinkings. Eighteen are known to have been saved.