BRAZIL DECLARES WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1942, Page 3

BRAZIL DECLARES WAR

ON GERMANY AND ITALY URUGUAY EXPECTED TO FOLLOW. ADDITIONS TO ALLIED STRENGTH, (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, August 22. The Brazilian Ambassador has officially notified the State Department that his country is at Avar with Germany and Italy. The ambassador said that the declaration of Avar did not include Japan because “we have suffered no aggression by Japan.” The Brazilian Embassy in a statement said that Brazil had 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" that the sinking of these vessels in Brazilian waters was undoubtedly an act of direct aggression against Brazil, by Avhich war was extended to South America. The United Press of America reports that there are strong indications that Uruguay will immediately follow Brazil into the war. The Foreign Minister, Dr. Alberto Guani, in a statement issued in Montevideo said that Uruguay was “absolutely accompanying Brazil.” The Brazilian fleet has put to sea hunting for submarines. The main benefit of the declaration will be additional naval strength, and bases for the United Nations and an additional flow of important war materials. The Brazilian War Ministry announced that 169 army officers and men were lost when the Baependy, Itagiba and Araraquara were torpedoed and sunk. Eighteen are known to have been saved. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, has cabled-the Brazilian Foreign Minister, Dr. Aranha, that the Axis aggression against Brazil emphasised the basic principle that attack against any of the American republics is an attack on all. He added: “Today, each of the 29 republics is equally in danger.” The “New York Times” says that 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 shipped to Brazil undisclosed quantities of leaselend materials recently, but the Brazilian Army probably does not conform either in size or equipment to European standards. The navy is composed of two battleships, two cruisers, 11 destroyers and four submarines, all dating back before the last war. Little information is available concerning the air force, but its total personnel, 3675, indicates that it is at present incapable of waging ■ offensive Avar. 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 the 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 mea-

sures against her large German and Italian populations, which may constitute a serious problem. DEEP SATISFACTION EXPRESSED BY BRITAIN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) RUGBY, August 23. The British Ambassador at Rio de Janeiro has been instructed to convey to the Brazilian Government the deep satisfaction -of the British Government with the decision of the Brazilian Government to declare war on Germany and Italy. ,