Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1917-05-11

READY FOR QUICK ACTION
national Geographical Society Says
Republic Has Available Unorganixed
Military Strength Of 4,3o0, o0o-After
severine Relations With Germany
She May Decide to Enter War.

Military Strength Of 4,3o0, oo0-After
severins Relations With Germany
She May Decide to Entsr War.
Because Of the tenseness Of the inter-
national situation and the report that
Brazil and other South American cOun-
tries may follow the United States into
the war, the National Geographical so
ciety Of Washington has issued state
ment about the military and naval
strength of Brazil. The southern re-
public's reserves and regular army con-
stitute, it is said, a fighting force half
as large as the total war strength Of
all the other South American countries
combined.
States, be forced into war with Ger
many, her peace times nucleus Of an
army (25,000 mem, will be supplement-
ed by a we'll organized and thoroughly
trained police force of 10000 men
equipped for military SERVICE" reads
the statement. THE strength Of the
South American republics reserve
| IL
! the total available unorganized strength
of the nation is 100000 from a popu
lation slightly less than a fourth as
large as that Of the United States.
For nine years Brazil has had in
force universal military service law,
every Brazilian between the ages Of
twenty-One and forty-tve being affect
h:
Jaw 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.
Annual Training.
| "ReserviSts 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 year.
"The total available unOrganlzed
military strength Of Brazil exceeds by
500, 1000 men the total organized mill
tary 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, ex-
ceeds that of Greece, of Servia and Of
Bulgaria. It's reserves and regular
army constitute fighting force half
as large as the total war strength OF
all the other countries of South Ameri-
ca combined.
"Of the South American republics
only three A B G powers have navies
Of appreciable strength. The personnel,
officers and men of Brazil is equal to
the combined strength of Chile and Ar
gentina. The pride of the Brazilian
navy are her two modern dreadnaughts
of 10000 tons displacement and with an
armament Of twelve twelve-inch guns
each. Contracts were under cOnsidera-
ton for the building Of superdread-
naught with fifteen inch guns at the
time the European war began, and the
naval construction yards Of all the bel
ligerent powers found their hands full
supplying the needs Of their own gov
ernments.
eraziI's Fighting Ships.
1.-TWO old battleships, laid down In
1893, and two protected cruisers OF
$500 tons displacement each comprise
the remainder Of BraZil's major fight
ing ships, supplemented by five tor
pedo gunboats, ten Yarrow destroyers.
four first class torpedo boats, four de-
stroyers. a mine ship and three subma-
rines.
'"The country has three naval ar
senals-at Rio de Janeiro. Para and La
1ario de Matto Crosse, the last named
a river arsenal.
1.-THE infantry is equipped with Mau-
ser rifles, while the field and horse ar
tillery use Krupp gun. The mill
tary budget for 1915 amounted to
S36,OOOOOO.
"If Brazil should be drawn into the
war it would mark the entry into the
lists against autOcracy of the third
largest republic in the world, for in ex-
tent Of territory the South American
nation is exceeded only by Russia and
the United States, already engaged In
the conflict. The republic of China.
which is fourth in area mongolia and
Tibet no. included, has already sew
cred diplomatic relations with the Inn
perial German government.
"In studying the trend of events in
Brazil it is interesting to note that one
Of the most significant movements dur
ing 1916 was the organization Of the
League In Favor of the Allies. formed
by many of the leading men Of the ia.
ton to express sympathy with France
and her allies. At the close Of the year
there was agitation for the taking over
Of all the German shipping in Brazil
ian ports"
The Nations Blind.
Eleven per cent Of the cOuntry's