BRAZIL AT WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1942, Page 3

BRAZIL AT WAR

GENERAL LATIN AMERICAN SUPPORT ATTITUDE OF ARGENTINA & CHILE. GRANT OF NON-BELLIGERENT RIGHTS. (By Telegraoh—-Press Association-Copyright) 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 Bittencourt, amid a furore. Senor Espinosa told the meeting: “Chile 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 continental solidarity.” The Brazilian Government has _ announced the sinking of the Brazilian tanker Louisana laden with oil, bound for Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil’s fellowship with the 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 which was war without a declaration, says “The Times.” It adds that Brazilian resources have been 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 from the accession to their cause of 46,000,000 Brazilians, and the moral importance of Brazil’s entry into the war will be not the 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 militarised country, and because the convoying of her shipping would throw an extra burden on the British and United States navies.