NEW BRAZILIAN MEASURES

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23588, 16 March 1942, Page 5

NEW BRAZILIAN MEASURES

CHECKS ON AXIS AGENTS JAPANESE FARMERS , ARRESTED NEW YORK, March 14. The Rio de Janeiro correspondent of the “New York Times” says, high official sources asserted that Brazil was not contemplating a declaration of war against the Axis or the arming of Brazilian merchantmen at present. The future course would be determined not only by the further sinking of Brazilian ships, but also by internal happenings. , The Brazilian Government is alert to the danger of Axis fifth column activities. During the last 48 hours it has instituted drastic measures of repression, including the arrests of Japanese farmers at Bahia, the confiscation of illegal arms, and the detention of Germans at Florianopolis in possession of incriminating documents. The authorities have decreed a 5 p.m. curfew at Rio de Janiero for Axis subjects. Meanwhile, the Uruguayan Government has reinforced its garrison along the Brazilian frontier to prevent Germans from southern Brazil entering Uruguay to create unrest. From Argentina comes disquieting news of pro/-Axis disturbances. Although Brazil has ordered all ships to seek the nearest ports, it is not considering the total stoppage of navigation to the United States, which is Brazil’s only market to-day. It is rumoured that the United States will replace lost Brazilian ships and is also formulating plans to protect Brazilian shipping.