Trouble in Brazil.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20622, 11 August 1932, Page 8

Trouble in Brazil.

In a message from New York yesterday it was reported that the State of Sao Paulo in Brazil, which for a month past now has been stirring up revolt against the Federal Government, is seeking to be recognised as a belligerent by foreign Powers; and in this news there is the possibility of serious developments throughout the South American ■ continent. The further statement that the rebels are endeavouring to form a port and railways entente with Argentina and Uruguay, in order to counteract possible results of the Ottawa Conference, makes in the same direction. Although Sao Paulo is only one of the twenty-one States which together compose the fourth largest country in the world, and although only the ninth in order of size, yet it might be fairly' said that Sao Paulo is Brazil. The Paulistas, always regarded as the most enterprising people in Brazil, were originally responsible for the opening-up and development of all the surrounding j States. Mr G. J. Bruce, who has made a dose study of the country, Bays: "They were the.discoverers of gold, '■' diamonds, and precious stones, and "the pioneers in demonstrating the "extraordinary fertility of the soil." Sao Pau}o is the centre of the manufacturing industries of the country, and during the last quarter of a century has erected countless mills, foundries, and factories of all kinds. The State produces half the world's coffee. Paulista, politicians have been behind most of the big movements in Brazil and they have shaped the most successful immigration and land-settlement policies that the country has known. Against such a background, the news cf this revolt against the Federal Government assumes more than momentary and trifling importance. When the Brazilian Republic was proclaimed in 1889, .a Constitution similar to that of the United States was drawn up, and the provinces became autonomous States united under a Federal Assembly. Whenever there has been trouble in Brazil in the past—or in any of the other large South American republics for that matter—it has been due to clashes "between the Federal and State Governments. This latest outbreak, occurring in the most important State in the country, in threatening Brazil also threatens the k A B C—Argentina, Brazil, Chile—balance of power in South America. The economic implications of the disturbance may be less serious, but 'are quite as, A South i American entente, composed of the ! principal exporting countries, would give materia] shape to a spectre now haunting the British Delegation at Ottawa. Whether such an entente in the present state of South American politics would be possible is another thing. The present proposal, that of , co-ordinating transport in the big pro-

ducing countries, would be enough for a long time to keep the partners busy.