Evening star., 1937-08-11
FEAR Of FASC|STS
IN BRAZIL IS HELD
BEHIND SHIP LOAN
Possible Revolution Spurred
s., Country to Ask U. S.
Aid, Is Theory.
PLANS ARE SPEEDED
TO REPEL INVADERS"
Attack by Any European Power
Believed Remote, However.
by Observers Here.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

~
Fear Of possible Fascist -tinged
,revolution is believed in well-informed
4 ktiplomatic quarters to be the funda-
mental reason why the Brazilian gov
ernment has asked the United States
Tor the lease of six destroyers which
are no longer in commission with the
fleet.
The Brazilians supported their re-
quest with these two reasons:
Cd The Brazilian government is
endeavorlng to rejuvenate its obsoles-
cent fleet 1t has placed orders for
construction of several units in its
own navy yards and has asked for
bids from foreign countries Pending
completion of the warshipS, the Bra
lillian Navy Department indicated it
wanted the personnel of its future
warships to be fully trained at the
time when the new destroyers are
commissioned. Hence the need for
the American over-age units.
2. There are apprehensions that in
these days, when international agree
ments are treated like foot balls. some
of the nations which are in need of
raw materials which exist in large
quantities in the South American re-
public might be induced TO invade
Brazil.
The example set by Italy and Japan
In recent years is not an encouraging
factor for nations which are rich and
lack the necessary national defense
Consequently, the Brazilian govern
ment, 1t is said. intends to build I'D its
naval forces so as to be able to repel
foreign invasion until such time
that the other nations interested in
the Monroe doctrine are able to rush
to her rescue.
Attack Is Doubted.
While the first point of argument
Is considered adequate and logical,
there are doubts regarding the fears
of Brazil of being attacked and con-
quered by any of the "have-not"
powers. 1t sounds most implausible
that Germany, with a comparatively
small fleet, or Italy or Japan will risk
to send their naval units thousands
of miles across the ocean. far from
any naval bases. to execute landing
in a territory with a large popula-
ton
But while open warfare is not con-
celvable, there are strong reasons to
believe that the Fascist ideas and
propaganda have made deep inroads
In Brazilian politics The govern
presidential elections there should be
distinct tendency toward fascism
Such movement would be accom-
panied by the usual violent outbreaks
which characterize the introduction
of totalitarian regime in a demo-
cratic country
Chairman Pittman said today he
would call special meeting of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
tomorrow to consider the legislation
authorizing leasing of destroyers to
American republics.
Pittman said that. although the
proposed resolution would not restrict
the use of the destroyers, terms the
Government would insert in any lease
would prohibit their use for combat
purposes.
The President, Pittman said, would
require a "recapture clause" whereby
the destroyers would be reclaimed if
used against any other government.
Pittman emphasized that Brazil
wanted the Warcraft only for train
ing purposes.
Eagerness Over Spanish War.
1t was pointed out by observers here
that the Spanish Civil War is followed
throughout the South American con-
tinent with an eagerness unknown in
this country. With the BrazilianS
and ArgentlnianS, it is not a matter
of following the news end of the con-
flict. They are interested in the
political fight which has brought
about the civil war in Spain, and ac-
oCrding to reports from the various
South American capitals, the number
OF the pro-Fascists exceeds by far
that of the sympathizers with the
Loyalist government.
In Brazil, where the affiliations with
Portugal are very strong, public
opinion is reported to be overwhelm-
(See BRAZIL, Page A-6)