The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-30
The SITUATION IN BRAZIL
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
INFORMATION BUREAU
By Frederic j. Haskin. Director
Washington. d. C.

Washington, May 3O.-A goodly
share of the worlds interest and at
tention has swung round to center on
Brazil With The sinking of the Ii
lJuca, the second Brazilian steamship,
sunk presumably without warning by
d submarine, it became apparently in
evitable that Brazil should enter the
war. Some of her most prominent
men stated that it was not question
OF whether or not she wanted to en-
ter; she was already in it, forced by
Germany. Now the world wants to
know in what spirit the people of
Brazil are viewing the progress of
events, and what Brazil amounts to as
naval and military power.
Braz1l can render service to the al
lied cause in several important ways.
She is one of the strongest of
American republics. Her area is
states of our Union, she has a fighting
force. first line and reserves, estimated
at $4,000 men, her navy numbers
several first class fighting ships in ad-
dlt1on to many of older models, and
her people would hail any steps to
take their place beside the allies with
enthusiasm. Her greatest weakness is
on the financial side.
In this last item, the financial, lies
what. is probably the real key to the
1
afford to go TO war. She could not
go to war without extreme provoca-
ton. Apparently she has gotten it.
Were it not for the financial prob
lem, Brazil would probably have de-
clared war before this. The people of
the republic are strongly pro-ally, and
since our declaration of war they
have been even more strongly pro-
United States. After the sinking of the
Parana, war feeling ran high. There
/ Of
man property. Popular feeling forced
DR.. Lauro Muller, foreign minister, of
German descent, to resign. People,
press, cabinet and president are heart
lily in sympathy with the allied cause.
But Brazil contented herself with
break in relations; and foreign OBJ
servers, long resident there and in
close touch with Brazilian affairs. be-
lieve that lack Of funds was largely
responsible for lack of more decisive
action
The United States is learning at first
hand how costly war is, and we are
easily the richest nation in the world.
Yet proposed taxes have to be care
fully adjusted in order to secure the
best sympathy and cooperation of Ill
classes. Brazil is already being taxed
close to the limit. Her national debt
is exceedingly large, and in order to
meet the interest on it her people have
to pay heavily. War will mean fur
ther large tax increases, and the step
cannot be taken hastily.
In this connection it has been Sug-
igested that there is an opportunity for
the United States to extend it's policy
of financial aid to the allied powers
into South America. Financial assist
ance to Brazil might mean her ability
to make her strength felt in the war
Neither American nor Brazilian Off
Gals have been indiscreet enough 20
hint at such a course, but among mer-
chants and unattached students or our
South American relations it has been
freely discussed. 1t is pointed out that
such a loan would have many ad-
vantages AS they say of the liberty
loan, it rs not a gift but a good invest
ment The natural riches ana re-
sources of Brazil are literally enof-
still sparsely populated, larger than
the United States. Financial connec-
lions may yet prove to be the long
sought medium for cement1ng the
Pan-American alliance of commerce
and sympathy, and in this case they
would have the added merit of
Strengthening a wartime ally.
The hold of the Germans on Brazil
has been much discussed. According
ITO MANY men intimately familiar with
| conditions the number of Germans
actively in sympathy with the Father
land has been over-estimated II mas
been placed dS-nlST as oVO,VVo- 1iif7
American who has lived for thirty
years in Brazil places it at only l5O,-
600. There are many other Ger
mans in the republic, but they are
scattered and assimilated into the
population, as is the case with the
Germans in this country. The 1SO,oOO
live in German colonies in southern
Brazil, and there is no doubt that their
sympathies are with the kaiser But
their power is negligible, and their
present condition is not an enviable
one The chief problem of the govern
ment will be to protect them rather
than to guard against them.
In a commercial way, the German
hold on Brazil was strong one. Ger
mans dominated the foreign trade,
and altho their goods were not of the
best they gave the Brazilians so
many facilities in matters of COM
merce and studied local conditions
so closely that they were commercial
ly popular. Needless to say, the pres
emit situation has done away with this
state of affairs, and Gernany's policy
of ruthlessness has lost her a great
trade asset. The United States is
the logical successor to Germany 6
position in the foreign trade of Brazil.
Whatever the financial and political
impediments that stand in the way of
! a declaration of war, there are lengths
to which no nation with a 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
considerations such as these. The