Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-30
The Situation IN Brazil
By Frederic j. Haskin

By Frederic y. HdsktR
Washington, May IA goodly share of the
worlds interest and attention has swung round
to center on Brazil With the sinking Of the Ii
juca, the second Brazilian steamship, sunk pre-
sumably without warning by submarine, It be-
came apparently inevitable that Brazil should en-
ter the war Some of her most prominent men
stated that it was not question OF whether or
no she wanted to enter; she was already in it.
know in what spirit the people OF Brazil are view
ing the progress of events, and what Brazil
amounts to as naval and military power.
Brazil can render service to the allied cause in
several important ways She is one OF the strong
est OF American republics. Her area is greater
than that Of the forty-eight states OF our union
she has fighting force, first line and reserves
estimated at 100000 men, her navy numbers sew
eral irst-class fighting ships in addition to many
of older models, and her people would hail any
steps TO take their place beside the allies with en-
thusasm, Her greatest weakness is on the imam
cial side. "H
In this connection it has been suggested that
there is an opportunity for the United States to
extend its policy of financial aid to the allied pow
ers into South America, Financial assistance to
Brazil might mean her ability to make her
strength felt in the war. Neither American nor
Brazilian officials have beSn indiscreet enough to
hint at such course, buH among merchants and
unattached students Of ouf South American rela-
tions it has been freely discussed. 1t is pointed
out that such loan would have many advan-
tages, As they say OF the Liberty loan, it is not
a gift, but good investment. The natural riches
and resources OF Brazil are literally enormous
She is fertile tropic land, still sparsely popu-
lated, larger than the United States Financial
connections may yet prove to be the long-sought
medium OF cementing the Pan-American alliance
OF commerce and sympathy, and in this case they
would have the added merit OF strengthening
wartime ally,
In commercial way the German hold on
Brazil was strong one Germans dominated the
foreign trade, and although their goods were not
of the best, they gave the Brazilians so many ia
cties in matters of commerce, and studied local
conditions so closely that they were commercially
popular Needless to say the present situation
has done away with this state Of affairs and Ger
many's policy of ruthlessness has lost her great
trade asset The United States is the logical Sue
cessor to Germany's position in the foreign trade
of Brazil.
Brazils geographical position is such that she
dominates the South Atlantic strategica'ly. By
preventing the establishment OF submarine bases,
by keeping watch for raiders, by searching out
and destroying secret wireless stations, by pre-
venting all shipments of contraband she can do
much for the allied cause By seizing the German
merchant feet interned in her ports she can make
a valuable addition to the allied tonnage To-
wards the patrol OF South Atlantic waters she can
contribute navy of ffty-two vessels, the ma
jority Of them suitable for patrol duty. She has
ten speedy modern destroyers, OF capital ships
she has five, two of them modern dreadnoughts,
armed with tweve-inch guns. One superdread-
nought of the most modern type, OF 28000 tons
burden with fourteen l2-nch guns is still under
construction. Besides these vessels, she has three
submarines and variety Of older cruisers, gun
boats, torpedo boats and the necessary tenders.
The Brazilian army has an active peace
strength Of $4,000 men In 1908 Brazil adopted
for service. Men from q to 30 form the first
line. from 80 to 81 the second line and from 81
to A the national guard. The total strength Of
the reserves Is about $4,000 men, A feature of
the Brazilian system are the numerous rifle clubs,
of which there are over 200 in the republic These
are somewhat more intensive in method than our
rifle clubs they form a sort of light infantry.
Arms, ammunition, uniforms and instructors are
furnished by the government and the clubs are
organized into regiments.
The Brazilian army is armed with the Mauser
rife Of the 1908 model All the artillery, field and
coast, was made by Krupp, The field artillery is
the same caliber as the famous French seventy
fves, though not so modern in type, dating back
to the models of 1908. The cavalry carries lances
and Mauser carbines.
The present situation can hardly fail to be
favorable to a closer understanding and CONNER
cial union between Brazil and the United States.
Such union is logical and necessary and will be
to the advantage of both parties German trade
will never recover from the blows that the tor
pedoes are dealing it. The submarines are con-
solidatng Pan-America.