Evening star., 1940-06-16

lillian rule by lessening the authority of
the Brazilian states. In 1882 the State
of Sac Paulo rebelled against this CEN
trail authority and waged an 83-day revo-
luton. Vargas survived it.
BY decree Vargas so changed the ma
tional structure and the economy and So
ciety of Brazil that his country became
known as the New Republic. In 1888
this dictator submitting to pressure for
democratic establishment, signed Ge-
cree calling for the election of a con-
stituent assembly and in 1884 new con-
stitution was born. By this time Brazil
had become the setting for two internal
revolutionary movements-one Fascist.
organized by the Integralistas, the other
Communist.
This unrest brought a radical revolu-
ton in 1885. 1t quickly was put down.
but martial law invoked to cope with it
remained in effect until the end of 1896.
The next year Brazil prepared for pres
idential election. Vargas successor was
to have the term 1938-1942. The new
constitution of 1884 forbade President
to succeed himself.
Now, says DR.. Martin, "Fascism made
its first appearance in presidential
campaign when the chief of the Inte-
gralistas, Plinio Salgado, announced his
candidacy Not even his most ardent
partisans expected him to be elected. On
the other hand, the Integralistas were
power to be reckoned with It is con-
ceivable that were the contest between
the major parties at all close they might
hold the balance of power.
They also constituted proof of the
extent and vitality of Fascism in Brazil"
No Occasion for Surprise.
The election was scheduled for Janu-
ary, 1888. But it never came off. No.
vember 10, 1887, President Vargas as
sumed dictatorial power. 1t was a coup
detat that insured Vargas continuance
in office for at least six years more or
until he should voluntarily step aside
or revolt should unseat him. No con-
stitutional bar stood in his way, because
his Minister of Justice, DR.. Francisco
Campos, put forth new constitution
that gave Brazil something of the nature
OF an authoritarian state. At the end
OF six years (Which would be 1943) an
electoral college would choose a new
state. This Is a democratic, republican
tlnge, but meanwhile the constitution
gives these powers to the President:
The President of the republic, the
supreme authority of the state. co-ordi-
mates the activity of the representative
organs of higher grade, directs internal
and foreign policies, furthers legislative
policies of national interest and SUPER
intends and administers the country"
In the light of these steps and this
sweeping constitutional grant, why
should surprise arise now because Getulio
Vargas, who entered Office by revolution
and stayed there by a coup, makes an
antl-democratic speech when he an
nounces Brazil's neutrality toward bel
llgerent Italy? Among the more strin-
gent uses Vargas has made of this
power has been to squeeze out the Ger
man influence. He outlaWed the In
tegrailstas. He dismissed the German
Ambassador, spreading Nazi propaganda.
He attacked the German strength in
German-settled Rio Grande do Sui bv
declaring that Portuguese must be the
principal language used in the private
schools
Depression in Brazil.
Brazil remains susceptible, however. to
forelgn influences because she still feels
the depression. 1t is one-crop country
ana that crop is an export crop-coffee
III was through coffee that GERMANY
gained her temporary economic ascend
ancy IN Brazil Brazil needs internal
development, and she looks to the out
side world for help in that DEVELOPMENT
Dollars from the United States prob-
ably can offset propaganda from Ger
many
The result to date of this country's re-
spectful diplomacy, coupled with dollars
mas been that the Latin American ren,h-
hes all are in the midst of drives aimed
al the elimination of German influences
within their borders Venezuela and Ell
salvador, our informal enemies during
the World War, are with us now. Ar
gentlna does'not like us, but she does not
IKE Germany either Guatemala. Costa
Rlca, Panama, Honduras, Colombia, Peru.
Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti are
all pro-United States. Ecuador and Chile
are not so certain. In Mexico writers
recently have found the seeds of revo-
luton and long fifth columns. There
more than in Brazil, apparently is the
danger spot.