Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-16
u. S. ARMS MAY AID
BRAZIL END REVOLT.
Benevolent Attitude Toward
Government in. Power
Seen Policy Here.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

The United States Government has
been trying to decide what policy to
pursue with reference to the revolt in
Brazil and it is almost certain that a
benevolent attitude toward the existing
government will be maintained.
Usually the question of recognition is
the thing which foreign governments
are compelled to decide if the revolution
proves successful, but at this time, with
the outcome uncertain, practically all
the foreign governments are disposed
to do nothing about recognition. The
American Government, however, has
the issue presented in another form
when the Brazilian government en-
deavors to get munitions and supplies.
The Department of State has an
nounced that the Brazilian govern
ment's application for new manufacture
OF munitions in the United States has
already been made and the American
Government has offered no objection
to the purchases. Indeed, an official
announcement states that the Brazilian
government has perfect right to buy
munitions in this country"
Not a New Rule.
This rule is not a new one, but it has
been the source of much embarrassment
in the past. 1t hes been applied in the
case Of Mexico in various ways. Oc-
casionally the federal government in
Mexico has been strong enough to buy
munitions in the United States and
squelch revolutions, but more often the
expectation Of arms and ammunitions
to a federal government has been
frought with much danger because the
rebels have captured the supplies or
interfered with their delivery.
he Ill =
capture the important seaports they
would be n position to obtain pos
session Of the munitions designed for
their opponents. In the long history
of revolutions in Mexico most of the
ammunition used has been captured
from the federals. For this reason the
American Government may, If it de-
sires, under the action of Congress,
prohibit the expectation of any arms
and ammunition to q revolution-to
country. This is what is called an
embargo on arms. If the fighting in
Brazil should become more extensive
and If 1t is apparent that both sides
are really enabled to continue the
bloodshed largely with American sup
plies, there will undoubtedly be con-
sideration given to an embargo.
For the moment, however, the Bra
NAA'oh SONCA appears III DG QOIlI-
mating the situation and particularly
the seaports, so that the munitions OBJ
tanned from the United States are de-
signed to help the existing government
20 stay in power.
May Turn Tide.
1t was timely aid of this kind which
helped the Gales government stay in
power in Mexico, and it may turn out
also in this case that the action of the
American Government in refusing to
proclaim an embargo on arms will turn
the scales in favor Of the Federal au-
thorities in Brazil
With the use Of airplanes in modern
warfare, more damage can be done than
in the old way. In a country like Brazil,
with large distances to cover, an air.
plane bombardment is something not
likely to be dismissed in its effect upon
revolutionists. The Mexican govern
ment with its planes has been able TO
do considerable damage to rebel forces.
The Brazilian government is buying
planes in the United States and already
has aircraft in action 1t would not
the chief weapon of the Brazilian gov
eminent, though to be sure the princi-
pal diff1culty in Brazil at the moment
IS the disaffection inside the army
Revolutionary leaders in other countries
have discovered that the easiest way
to win a revolution Is to convert the
army and the navy to their doctrine
The censorship does not permit gen.
eral knowledge of just how much the
revolution in Brazil has accomplished
as yet. but all reports indicate that the
situation at the moment is serious and
that the likelihood of peace Is not i'm
mediate.
Copyright, 1907