BRAZIL TO ACT WITH MAXIMUM VIGOUR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 195, 19 August 1942, Page 5

BRAZIL TO ACT WITH MAXIMUM VIGOUR

FURY AGAINST AXIS

Angry Crowds Demonstrate Over U-Boat Sinkings

United Press Association—Copyright Rec. 2 RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 18.

President Vargas, of Brazil, in a speech to a tumultuous crowd which parades to the presidential palace, emphasised Brazil's rising fury over the sinkings of the five Brazilian ships. He told the crowd that Brazil would act with the maximum vigour to punish the Axis criminals.

"We have done nothing to justify the attacks on our coastal ships," he said. "The act of sending soldiers and women and children to the bottom of the sea clamours for justice. Not only the Nazis and Fascists, but also all others suspected of Nazi leanings. will be placed outside the Brazilian community."

All commerce buildings and schools in Rio de Janeiro will be closed this afternoon as a mark of homage to the victims. From the whole country come reports of similar anti-Axis demonstrations.

The Government of Brazil has announced the sinking of three sljips— the Baepend.v, of 4801 tons, the Araraquara, of 4872 tons, and the Annibal Benevolo, of 1905 tons, off the Brazilian coast.

The Brazilian Embassy spokesman at Montevideo said the ship Baepenriy was transporting troops from southern Brazil to Pernambuco when it was torpedoed with the loss of between 600 and 700 lives.

The Government also announced that submarines sank two more Brazilian vessels in addition to the three mentioned above. All were torpedoed off the Brazilian coast. Strong Press Protests The Press Propaganda Department of Brazil has issued the following statement following upon these sinkings: "Our country does not flinch before such brutality. The Government is examining the methods to be taken in the face of these events. The population should remain calm and confident that the crimes practised against the lives and goods of Brazilians will not go unpunished."

The Brazilian Ambassador at Montevideo, Senor Ltizardo. said that after torpedoes struck the vessel a shell from the Baependy sank the submarine.

Strongly, worded Brazilian editorials have fanned anti-Axis sentiment after the sinking, of five Brazilian ships. Large crowds demonstrated outside the German stores, demanding vengeance for the sinkings. Public anger was intensified by the assertions that the ships were sunk in a shark-infested area.

The Montevideo newspaper El Tiempo, which is considered the mouthpiece of the President of Uruguay, commenting on the sinkings, declared: "The whole of America is at war. Since yesterday. Brazilian brothers, we are with you."