The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-06-14

in Southern Brazil and there is no
doubt that their sampathies are with
the kaiser. But their power is neglig'
ibe and their present condition is not
an enviable one The chief problem
Of the government will be to protect
rather than to guard against them.
In commercial way the German
hold on Brazil was strong one. Ger
man dominated the foreign trade and
although their goods were not OF the
best they gave the Brazilians so many
facilities in matters Of commerce and
studied local conditions so closely that
then were commercially popular.
Needless to say the present situation
has done away with this state Of affairs
and Germany's policy OF ruthlessness
has lost her great trade asset. The
United States is the logical successor
to Germany's position in the foreign
trade in Brazil.
Whatever the financial and political
impedimemts that stand in the way OF a
declaration Of war there are lengths 10
which no nation with due regard for
its honor can be driven, and the South
American republics, in spite Of their
weakness as world powers have always
been particularly jealous Of considera
tions such as these. The world is be-
ginning TO estimate the fighting strength
OF Brazil.
Brazirs geographical position is such
that she dominates the South Atlantic
strategically. BY preventing the estab
liShment Of submarine bases, by keep
ing a watch for raiders, by searching
out and destroying secret wireless
stations, by preventing all shipments Of
contraband, she can do much for the
allied cause. By Selling the German
merchant feet interned in her ports
she can make a valuable addition 10
the allied tonnage. Towards the pa
troll OF the South Atlantic waters she
can contribute a navy Of fiity'two yes
sells, the majority oil them suitable fol
patrol duty. She has ten speedy mod
ern destroyers. OF capital ships she
has FIVE, two OF them modern dread
naughts, armed with y inch guns
One super 'dreadnaught Of the mos
modern type, oI $4,000 tons burder
with fourteen II inch guns is still unde,
construction. Beside these vessels
she has three submarines and a variety
Of older cruisers, gunboats, torp .dC
boats and the necessary tenders.
The Brazilian army has an activ,
peace strength OF $4,000 men. II
1908 Brazil adopted the system Of con
s,ription, All citizens are liable 10
service. Men from 81 to 80 year
form the first line, from 80 to 81 th'
second line, and from 81 70 a. tn,
national guard. The total strength O
the reserves is about $4,000 men
A feature Of the Brazilian system Is tht
numerous rifle clubs, OF which ther,
are over 200 in the republic. Thest
are somewhat more Intensive in methot
. than our rife clubs; they form a sort O
light infantry. Arms, ammunition ant
uniforms and instructors are furnished
by the government aud the clubs ar
organized into regiments.
, The Brazilian army Is armed wit
the Mausri rife Of the 1908 model
: All the artillery, field and coast, va
made by Krupp. The field artillery
be same caliber as the famous Frenc
75s, though not SO modern in typ-
dating back to The models Of 1905
! The cavalry carries lances and MauSe
: carbines.
, Both army and navy in Brazil hav
i seen service in the revolutions thu
were not infrequent a few years age
3 and observers who saw them in ac,io
are agreed that they fight exceedirgl
E we'll. In the revolt OF the navy
Il 1894, sailors made landing in fore
in the face OF spirited resistance by III
il army and were finally driven back I
3 their ships. The hottest kind Of fgh
h ing took place in the open and bot
IS sdes showed extreme bravery and
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