New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-15
BY 4. DA FONTOURA XAVIER

If Germany continues to sink Bra
lillian vessels Brazil will have no alter
native to war. Like other nations, my
country will have been forced into tho
arena BY the common foe Of humanity.
! understand that popular feeling in
Brazil is now very strongly in favor OF
the Allies. Since the amazing disclos-
urc Of the German plot in connection
with Mexico there has been but one
sentiment in Brazil If there we're any
violation Of American territory on the
basis of Zimmerman intrigue Brazil
would instantly declare war If var is
declared Z ia very likely that German
ships in Brazilian ports viii be requi-
sitioncd.
Our navy would be useful in patrol
ling the South Atlantic and would re
lease vessels Of the British fleet now
IN those waters. We have two super
dreadnoughts. two pre- drcadnought
battlcships, ;hree scouts and ten de-
stroyers, as well as few light cruisers
and three submarines. One new sub
marine is nj present on her way from
Italy 10 Brazil. We have no dread
noughts Wher we placed our con-
tract the super-drcadnought had al
ready come into being. with the result
that We ordered this improved type OF
battleship.
HELP with Food Supplies
Orc welcome function which Brazil
might perform IN the even; Of war with
Germany would ~ 10 help the Allies in
tic matter of fooG ,upplies. Our mill
tary po.entialitics are greater than
may perhaps be supposed. From our
population Of 10000 900 we could easily
misc 1000 troops. At the moment
we have an army OF 10000 men actually
under arms, without counting the mill
tia and the National Guard of each OF
the twenty states which compose our
republic. The National Guards are
practically soldiers. arc IN receipt OF
paw and form state gendarmerie.
The active Intervention OF America IS
going to be productive OF wonderful
results. She can raise I've million
troops without difficulty, and her navy
is mighty weapon of the very htst
oder have lived in the United
states both in New York and Washing
ton and | know that the men are the
fines, fighters imaginable. As for the
money power, il is great beyond calcu-
lation. During my fourteen years IN
America | was in the diplomatic SER
vice then. as now formed the impres-
sion that the Americans were an eN-
trcmoly plucky race.
Brazils sympathies nave always Deen
with the Allies. Her principal intei,
csts arc i'm Great Britain. France and
the United States. All our commerce
is with these three countries. our
nrincipal produce Is sold in the United
states. and we buy for home consump-
ton in England. France. Italy and Por-
,ucal The ships Of our navy are a.i
of british construction. and were built
either By Armstrong; hitworth, NicH-
ers. or Yarrow.
We must and will train great army.
If America sends troops to Europe so
must we. since we are very friendly
with tho United states.
No Chance for the Enemy
Az President Wilson has proclaimed,
this war is against the Hohenzoilerns
and what they stand for. There is now
absolutely no chance of the CentIal
Empires escaping defeat. 1t is lmpos-
sible for the nations ranged against
them TO lose the war. believe 1t will
he The last war Of the world, and when
il ends and no man can foreteIl when
that will he peace will come to stay
One almost feels disposed TO pity the
nations which have not ranged them
selves on the side of the races fighting
for freedom. Fate appears TO promise
them glacial isolation when Things
become normal again.
England has accomplished great
oeaI since she entered the war. TO
have raised and equipped vast armies
in 50 short time savors of the miracu-
in,s wben il is borne in mind that she
did not pretend to be land power. 10
NV mind there is nothing more heroic