Weekly journal-miner., 1917-04-25
BRAZIL CAN PUT 4,3OO,OOO MEN
 IN THE FIELD
MILITARY STRENGTH IS NOT TO BE SNEEZED AT {; NAVY INCLUDES TWO OF THE GREATEST DREAD NAUGHTS AFLOAT.

WASHINGTON, April IS. - The action of Brazil in following the ex- ample of the United States and sever ing diplomatic relations with Ger many, gives timely interest to the fol- lowing war geography bulletin issued by the National Geographic Society from its headquarters in Washing ton:
 Should Brazil, like the United States, be forced into war with Ger many, her peacc-time nucleus of an army (25,000 mem will be supple mcntcd by well-organized and thor oughly trained police force of 10000 men equipped for military service. The strength of the South American republics reserve army is in excess of half a million men, while the total available unorganized strength of the nation is 4,300,00O from a population slightly less than one-fourth as large as that of the United States.
 For nine years Brazil has had in force a universal military service law. every Brazilian between the ages of 2l and 45 being affected. The terms of service under this law require two years in the ranks, followed by seven years in the army reserve, seven years in the territorial army. and eight years in the national guard. Reserv- ists are called up for four weeks training annually and are given rifle practice once a month. The terri torial army's training varies from two to four weeks a year.
 Her Total Fighting Force.
 "The total available unorganized military strength of Brazil exceeds by half a million men the total or ganizcd military strength of Italy at the time the latter country entered the world war. The war strength of the country is twice as great as that of Portugal, five times greater than that of Norway, exceeds that of Greece, of Serbia, and of Bulgaria. Its reserves and regular army constitute a fighting force half as large as the total war strength of all the other countries of South America com bined.
 "Of the South American republics only the three A C powers have navics of appreciable strength. The personnel. officers and men, of Brazil are equal to the combined strength Of Chile and Argentina The pride of the Brazilian navy are her two mod ern drcadnaughts of l9,O00 tons dis placement and with an armament of twelve l2-inch guns each. Contracts were under consideration for the building of a super-dreadnaught with l5-inch guns at the time the European war began, and the naval construc- ton yards of all the belligercnt pow CTS found their hands full supplying the needs of their own governments. Two old battleships, laid down in 1898. and two protected cruisers, of $500 tons displacement each, con- prise the remainder of Brazils major fighting ships. supplemented by five torpedo gunboats, ten Narrow de- stroyers. four first-class torpedo boats. four destroyers a mine ship, and three submarines.
 Three Naval Arsenals.
 The country has three naval arsenals-at Rio Janciro. Para, and Ladario de Matto Crosse, the last named river arsenal.
 The infantry is equipped with Mauser rifles, while the field and horse artillery use Krupp gun. The budget for 1915 amounted to S36000.0O0
 If Brazil should be drawn into the war vortex, it would mark the entry into the lists against autocracy of the third largest republic in the world. for in extent of territory the South nation is exceeded only by Russia and the United States, already engaged in the conflict. The republic of China. which is fourth in area (Mon- | golia and Tibet not included), has al- | ready severed diplomatic relations yith the imperial German government |
 'In studying the trend of events | in Brazil, it is interesting to note l that one of the most significant move ments during l9l6 was the organiza- ton in Favor of the Allies, formed i by many of the leading men of the nation 10 express sympathy with France and her allies. At the close of the year there was agitation for Inc taking over of all the German ,hiDDinn in Brazilian ports"