The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-06-14
The Situation in Brazil.
By Frederick J. Haskin.

"a BOOuIy oudiS VI tLlS WOIius iu'SAS'N
and attention has swung round TO cent
er on Brazil. With the sinking Of the
Tijucs, the second Brazilian steamship
sunk presumably without warning BY a
submarine, il became apparently inev
liable that Brazil should enter the war.
Some Of her most prominent men stat
ed that it was not a question Of wheth
er or no she wanted 10 enter; she was
alteady 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 military and naval pow
er.
Brazil can render service TO the allied
in several important ways. She is one
Of the strongest American Republics.
Her area is greater than the forty eight
states Of our union, she has fighting
force, first line and reserve, estimated
at 550,000 men; her navy numbers
several first class fighting ships in ad-
dition to many OF older models and her
people would hail any steps to take
their place beside the allies with en-
thusiasm. Her greatest weakness 10
on the financial side.
In this last item, the financial, lies
what is probably the real key to the
Brazilian situation. Brazil can hardly
afford to go 10 war. She could not 60
to war without extreme provocation.
Apparently sh. has gotten it.
Were it not for the financial problem
Brazil would probably have declared
war before this. The people Of the re
public are strongly proally 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 was rioting
and destruction Of German property.
Popular feeling forced Or. Lauro
Muller, foreign minister of German de-
scent to resign. People, press, cabinet
are heartily in sympathy with the allied
cause. But Brazil contented herself
with break in relations and foreign
observers, long resident there and in
close touch with Brazilian afilirs, be-
lieve that lack Of funds was largely re
sponsible for lack oil more decisive
action.
The United States is learning at first
hand how costly war is, and we are cas-
lily the richest nation in the world
Yet, propo led tax,s have to be carefully
adjusted in order 10 secure the best
sympathy and cooperation oi iall classes
BAIL is already being taxed to the
init. Her national debt is exceeding
lv large and in order TO meet the in
terest on it her people have to pay
heavily. War will mean further large
tax increases and the step cannot be
taken hastily.
In this connection it has been sug
gested that there is an opportunity lor
the United States to extend its policy
OF financial aid to the allied powers in
to SJuth America. financial assistance
to Brazil might man her ability tc
make her strength felt in the war
Neither American nor Brazilian ficial'
have been indiscreet enough TO hint al
such Course but among merchants
and unattached stu ut.nts Of our South
American rtl,tions |, has been freel,
discussed. 1t is pointed out that suct
a loan would have many advantages
Al they say Of the Liberty Loan it il
Lot a gift but good investment. The
natural riches and resources OF Brszi
are literally enormous. She is a fertile
tr)pic land, still sparsley populated
larger than the United States. FiDanc
cial connections may yet prove to bt
the long sought medium for cementiDl
tie pan-American AlIi.nce Of m
merce and sympathy, and in this cas-
they would have the added merit O
Strengthening a war time ally.
The hold Of the Germans on Braz
has been much discussed. According
to many men intimately familiar wit
conditions. the number Of German
. ,,i,,al, IN Sc n 111,hv NTH the E,tha,