SOUTH AMERICAN STATES

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 25

SOUTH AMERICAN STATES

BRAZIL FACING A CRISIS.

RESERVISTS CALLED UP. RIO DE JANEIRO, October 7.

The Brazilian Government has issued a call to the colours requesting the naval reserves and ten army classes, comprising 420,000 men, to mobilise immediately. The army reservists have already volunteered.

It is expected that the Federal Government will make the first vigorous stand in the neighbourhood of Sao Paulo, where rebels numbering 80,000 under the leadership of a former Minister of Finance (Senor Vargas), are reported to be making a threatening movement. It is believed' that Federa naval forces are cn route to Sao Paulo. The Government contemplates sending a force of 100,000 soldiers into the field immediately. The Brazilian Government is acing both a Cabinet crisis and a food shortage. It is reported that the food supplies hare been requisitioned. All banks have been closed for a “ holiday.”

THE REBELS ADVANCING. MONTEVIDEO, October 7.

Frontier dispatches report that the vanguard of the insurgent army is advancing upon the great coffee exporting centre of Sao Paulo. They crossed the border of the State of Parana into the State of Sao Paulo.

A BITTER WAR FEARED. NEW YORK, October 7.

Reports of an increasingly sanguinary nature continue to be received, and leading observers fear that one of the most bitter wars in South American history is developing in Brazil.

Later reports issued from Porto Alegre, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, assert that rebels have captured the towns of Pernambuco and Natal. The Governors of the States of Pernambuco, Rio Grande, and Donorte are reported to have fled on a steamer, which a rebel destroyer is chasing. A Federal aeroplane bombed the city of Belleo Horizonte, and was then shot down.

RIOTS AT BAHIA. WASHINGTON, October 7.

The American Charge d’Affairs at Rio de Janeiro has reported serious riots at Bahia, where the American tramways an I other public services have been attacked.

THE GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE. WASHINGTON, October 7.

The Brazilian Ambassador (Senor Doamaral) has stated -that the “ Government will resort to bloodshed where necessary.”

DISCONTENT IN CUBA. HAVANA, October 7.

The opponents of President Machado declare that Cuba is seething with discontent and that a rebellion is being forced by the President’s dictatorial methods. Several riots ..occurred to-day. when the police killed one newsboy and “fired at others who were selling an antiAlachado weekly.

SUCCESS OF INSURGENTS.

PERNAAIBUCO CAPTURED. NEW YORK, October 8.

A message from Pernambuco (Brazil) states that the city was under the control of a provisional Government today, set up by the Liberal revolutionaries, who captured it after a 48 hours’ struggle with the State military police and a portion of the army which remained loyal to the Central Government.

FEDERAL GENERAL CAPTURED. WASHINGTON, October 8. The news from Brazil is uncertain owing to the institution of a hea-vy censorship by both Federal forces and the

rebels. Reports, however, indicate that the revolutionists have advanced their lines both north and south to within 300 miles of Rio de Janeiro, the capital of the Federalists, the fate of which is believed to rest largely with the attitude of the naval forces, among whom there are several instances of revolt, already. Reports state that the fall of' Sao Paulo is believed to be, imminent. A correspondent of the newspaper La Nacion, which is published at Porto Alegre, reports that the Federal leader, General Randon, and his entire staff' have been captured en route to Rio Grande do Sul. The correspondent adds that General Rondon telegraphed to President Washington Luis advising him to resign.

A Federal warship is rushing fresh troops to try to regain Pernambuco. federalists in the State of Minasgeiaea drove the rebels from Palmyra. They also recaptured the citv of Para from which the revolutionists retreated’ destroying-the railways en route.

CLAIMS BY INSURGENTS.

NEW 7 YORK, October 8. Aews from Porta Legre states that sweeping revolutionary gains in both North and South Brazil, including the capture of several strategical towns, are claimed by headquarters.

GOVERNMENT NOTE ISSUED.

REAL SITUATION EXPLAINED. RUGBY, October 9. Hie Brazilian Embassy in London, is a communication to the press regarding the revolt in Brazil, states that official information has been received that Ric de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and all of the other 17 States which are loval to the Government, are quiet. “The Brazilian Government has issued a Note, in which is fully explained the real situation and giiing an assurance that the country can have entire confidence in the prompt and sure measures taken by the Government, along with the discipline and the loyalty of the Federal forces, to domi nate the movement.”

CONSIDERABLE FIGHTING

REPORTED.

SITUATION CRITICAL. BUENOS AIRES, October 11. The Brazilian Federal troops, operating from Sao Paulo, report having captured Ourofino, 200 miles from 0 Rio Grande, from the rebels, who suffered heavy casualties.

The Government announces that its forces routed the rebels, and captured Barbacena, on the railway leading to Bello Horizonte, the capital of the State of Minas Ceraes, which was in the hands of the revolutionists. Barbacena was a strategic point for rebel stores and munitions. Bello Horizonte was again bombed by Federal troops to-day. Rebel reports claim a victory at Santa Catherina and further advances on Sao Paulo.

_ Travellers arriving here describe the situation as critical, pointing out that there will be a bitter struggle unless Sao Paulo and Rio Grande landslide in the rebels’ favour.

PROTECTION OF FOREIGNERS.

DESPATCH OF WARSHIPS.

PORT OF SPAIN (Trinidad), Oct. 11. The British warship Delhi left on Friday night under orders to proceed at full speed to Pernambuco.

It was understood that the ship would stand by for the protection and, if necessary, the evacuation of British and other foreign citizens. WASHINGTON, October 11. The new 10,000-ton cruiser Pensacola has been despatched to Brazil, via Guantanamo, to be in readiness to take off Americans if they are imperilled by the revolution.

RAILWAY. DISASTER REPORTED.

TROOP TRAIN CRASHES. VANCOUVER, October 12. Unconfirmed reports from Buenos Aires state that a Federal troop train, with 1000 men aboard, was derailed between Sao Paulo and Santos, crashing into a ravine. The number of casualties is unknown.

Rio de Janeiro despatches state that the Federal Government has called to the colours the navy reservists who have been discharged since 1921.