The sun., 1908-11-10
Brazips Naval and Military Arma-
menta.

Some interesting information con-
corning the naval and military pro-
grammes Of the Brazilian Government
is contributed by Senior D. A. RIBEIRo
to "A Rio de Janeiro periodical. He
makes it very clear that Brazil has no
intention Of selling to foreign Power
the three Dreadnoughts now building
for her in England, but means to keep
them for her own purposes. What
those purposes are Senior RIBElRo does
not distinctly say, but we are left to
infer that what Brazil has in view is the
hegemony Of South America.
Undoubtedly the first place among
Latin American republics belongs to
Brazil on the score of her area, which
exceeds $4,000 square miles and is
nearly three times larger than that Of
the Argentine Republic, the next most
extensive Of the Latin American COM
monwealths. Brazil may fairly claim
preponderence also on the score Of
population IL Senior RIBEIRO is JUS
titled in estimating her present popu-
lation at 22,000,0O0, a figure almost as
high as that reached by the United
States in 1850. Her revenue in 1902 ex-
ceeded $l37, ,O00, 600, while she spent less
than 100000, 900. These figures may
be compared with Argentina's $e3,OOO,-
600 and Mexicos 9,OoO, 900, nearly the
whole Of which was expended in each
case. In 1902 Brazils national debt
was $4,000 900, against Argentina's
$479. 600 900, but the interest and other
annual charges imposed upon the former
country fell short Of S24, ,0O0, 900, which
was less by s1i 5000 than what the
latter had to support.
We have pointed out that in 1902
Brazil had an annual surplus Of nearly
$40, 900, 900. Obviously she was even
then qualified from financial viewpoint
to begin the construction of a consid-
cradle navy. Senior RIBEIRo tells
US however, that 1t is unnecessary to
touch that surplus, because, assuming
that there are 100000 taxpayers, the
Rio de Janeiro Government could pro-
vide itself with s45,o0o,0o0 by lcvying
an average annual tax Of $I.50 for five
years. The sum would suffice to con-
struct several first class battleships
besides the auxiliary vessels needed to
constitute an efficient navy. We learn
from Senior RIBEIRo the programme
Of naval construction which is in proc
ess OF execution at the present time
1t comprehends the three Dreadnoughts,
each Of 1900 tons, which are building
in England at cost Of s., ,O00, 900 apiece;
three express cruisers of $500 tons each,
at cost Of $1,s5O,OOo apiece; eighteen
destroyers OF 600 tons, costing ss2S 900
each, and one mine layer OF 5000 tons,
which will cost $75O,0oO, together with
a few submarines and small torpedo
craft. The total tonnage will be $4,000
and the aggregate cost $Ss.5oo.OO0.
The inference to be drawn from these
figures Is that Brazil is aiming at the
seventh place among naval Powers,
thus taking precedence Of Russia and
OF Austria-Hungary. or those Bra
zilians who have opposed the pro-
gramme on the score OF the burden
which 1t will impose upon the country
Senior RIBEIRo asks what there is to
complain Of II a few millions Of its in
habitants are called upon to contribute
the trifiing sum OF $3.50 in the course
of five years. The reply would seem
more conclusive IL one could leave out
of view the simultaneous expenditure
which is TO be made by Brazil upon her
army. Some years ago the total
strength OF Brazil's active or peace
army was less than 2e,OO0 and her
aggregate war strength was only 1OO,-
900. At that time Argentina's peace
strength fell short Of 10000, but It's war
strength was about $4,000 IL follows
that the two countries would then have
entered into conflict upon a nearly
equal footing. That will soon cease to
be the case. The Brazilian War Minis
ter has announced that within a decade
Brazil will nave nearly half million
men on a war footing, and Senior
RIBEIRo thinks that she ought to have
a million trained and prepared for war
like operations.
It is hard to resist the conclusion that
Brazil'e naval and military armaments
have for their ultimate object the
attainment Of leadership and control
y IL