New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-05
Foreign Minister Says
Move Similar to Ours
VIII Be Made
NEWSPAPERS FIRM
FOR DRASTIC ACTION
Approval of Wilson Uni
yersal and Nation Called
TO Join Him


I Foreign Minister. at which the terms
I Of a protest by the Brazilian govern
ment to Germany are said to have
! been drafted, is reported in Reuter-
dispatch from Rio de Janelro.
According 10 this information, the
Brazilian government is of the opin-
ion that if the United States enters
the war the logical course is for
! Brazil TO abandon her impartial atti-
tude and for the South American ma
tions to seek to establish general uni
I forn.ity Of continental policy.
Rio de Janeiro, Feb. 4.-Dr. Lauro
Muller, the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
held lengthy conference to-day at
Petropoiis with the various South
American diplomatic representatives.,
with special reference to the questions
which have arisen between the United
States and Germany.
The Hlyas News Agency has been
I authorized TO declare that the Brazil
I ian government considers the German
/ note as a fact entirely new, necessitat-
( ing the modification of the attitude of
all neutrals, in particular Brazil, whose
national policy, independently of all
continental considerations, has ever
been based on the most rigorous re-
spect for signed conventions.
aside from the new attitude of the
United States, in so far as it is the
UNREASONABLE leader" says the
agency, "the Brazilian government con-
siders that the situation which is Gre
h. h. or. ~
pared with the situation created for
the United States, presents simple diff
fercnces Of degree, but is identical in
substance. These two considerations
Ct national policy, fidelity TO treaties
and a continental policy additionally
pan-American. will serve as a basis for
BraZils response to the German note,
the text of which will be definitely de-
termined upon.
Friendly to United States
"Thc American continental policy
has not failed 10 impress strongly Or.
Lauro Muller, whose personal friend
ship for the United States is known, as
is also the traditional friendship be-
tween Brazil and the United States,
consecrated first in 1926 by the adhe-
sion of Brazil to the Monroe Doctrine.
whatever may be the special rea-
sons which determined President Will
son 20 break with Germany, there are
among them particularly direct prom
ises made to the United States and
broken by Germany. Although prac-
teal acts DO not appear as yet to have
been contemplated, there Is every
reason to believe that the protest
which will form the substance OF
Brazil's reply will embody full APP
probation Of the attitude of the
United States"
80 Paiz" will publish an article to-
morrow inspired from high authority.
u says:
up to the present the reserve of
our chancellery has been justified by
the Monroe Doctrine, our lack of mill
tary and economic preparation and
the consideration due the United
States, upon which falls logically the
role OF leader in the continental pol
icy. But to-day Brazil has been di-
rectly touched
To Support Washington
The paper continues: ain CONVEX
sation to-day with Dr. Lauro Muller
we received the impression that he is
profoundly affected by the gravity Of
the situation created by the attitude of
the United States and is disposed, in
accord with the other South American
republics, TO support the protest Of
the Washington Administration, whose
action ought TO be sustained by all
governments. in order that Europe may
receive tho impression that this time
it is not only the United States but all
America that speaks.
"Since the day before yesterday the
international problem has relegated to
the background all others. As for Bra
I'll, all countries have their eyes fixed
on Dr. Lauro Muller. The moment has
come whca the interests of Brazil are
in radical antagonism to the German
interests, thus giving Lauro Muller a
favorable occasion in which to affirm
by positive acts that his German origin
will not prevent him from acting in a
patriotic manner
THE Brazilian government declares
that in case of extreme necessity it
will be able to rely on everything that
Is necessary TO safeguard national Dig
nifty and interests"
In this city the break in relations
/ between the United States and Ger
many created deep impression. and
/ the action Of the American govern
ment was approved enthusiastically.
The League Of the Allies adopted a
resolution urging the President of
Brazil to put an end to the criminal
neutrality which shames us before the
world. and Injuries us economically
and financially. while causing US to
be suspected by the Allies as passive
accOmDlicos of the German govern
mcnt"
Urges Brazil to Act
Medeiros de Albuquerque, a men,
Der Of the Chamber Of Deputies. in
commenting in his newspaper on the
current opinion that Brazil will fol-
| low the present policy Of the United
! States, expresses regret that Brazil
! has missed the opportunity to take
the action which the dignity Of her
traditions commanded her to do long
! ago; namely, to take her position on
the side Of the Allies"
with the force Of such a policy
he continues. Eve should have gained
economic advantages, for we would
| have found ourselves bound up with
the commercial interests of the great
eat nations in the world. But against
this noble aspiration Of the Brazilian
people cowardice on the one hand and
the activities Of Gcrmanism on the
other, lumiliatinG Brazil. have re-
duced rs TO the unfortunate situation
in which we find ourselves to-day"
Deputy Gonzalez. IN the newspaper
40 PaiX' says: Under international
law. the declaration OF Germany is
cquvalcn. 60 declaration OF war
against Brazil. and the government
should hand their passports 10 the
German Minister and the Germ con-
5uls.'
The "Rua" expresses astonishment
that the government has taken. no ac-
ton In this matter.