North & South v. Centre

Spoiling for a fight last week young U. S. citizens stormed the Brazilian Embassy at Washington, Brazilian Consulates throughout the U. S., the Brazilian Tourist Bureau in Manhattan.

"I'm being driven almost crazy!" cried distracted Tourist Manager John W. Brunk. "They rush in here, they telephone, they write letters and send telegrams. All they want is a chance to fight, they don't care on which side. They don't even know which side is which!"

At the rate of 50 a day pink-cheeked U. S. youths and several blue-jawed men who said they were ex-U. S. Marines were turned away by the Brazilian Consulate General. But another species of U. S. help was welcome. Quiet dickering for bombing planes began. During the week it was frequently reported that President Hoover had no intention of laying an embargo on exports of such weapons to Brazil.

On the positive side Mr. Hoover ordered the U. S. S. Pensacola, potent and up-to-date cruiser of 10,000 tons, to steam to the U. S. Naval station at Guantanamo, Cuba. "Guantanamo," announced the State Department, "is three days less steaming distance to Brazil than Hampton Roads. . . . In view of the uncertainty as to the future situation in Brazil it has been felt prudent to have a ship nearer the zone of disturbance to take off American refugees should such action be necessary for the protection of their lives."

Should U. S. refugees have to be evacuated from Rio de Janeiro it would take the Pensacola steaming at her terrific cruiser speed of 33 knots four days to reach them from Guantanamo.

"Lucky Juan" No. 1. Of formal warfare there was little or none in Brazil last week. The city and state of Rio de Janeiro were calm. Government troops, advancing directly inland more than 150 miles, cowed numerous rebel elements in the state Minas Geraes.

Directly south of and adjoining Rio de Janeiro is the rich coffee state of Sao Paulo, and against this region rebel columns from the three states still further south advanced last week. As commander-in-chief of the rebels there emerged General "Lucky Juan" Alberto Barros, veteran of several Brazilian rumpuses.

As late as last May, in Buenos Aires, he was plotting the present rebellion with revolutionists in Brazil. On the morning of May 10 he left for Rio Grande do Sul in a plane of the Buenos Aires-Paris airmail. The plane fell into the sea off Montevideo. All on board except "Lucky Juan" drowned. He swam lustily ashore.

As No. 2 rebel loomed one Juarez Tavora. He began the week a captain, ended it a general. Operating in the northern rebel sector--that is, north of Rio de Janeiro--this young daredevil was credited with seizing the state governments of Parahyba and Pernambuco, whence he advanced south upon the huge state of Bahia which adjoins Minas Geraes. Like a dashing Phil Sheridan the "General" moved his army with such vigorous celerity that he was several times reported to be in several places at once.

Mostly the revolutionaries seemed to be young swaggerers, spunky fellows with bright red handkerchiefs knotted "carelessly" about their throats, each supplied with a gleaming Mauser rifle. Sweethearts sewed on rebel shoulders a knot of green, red and yellow ribbons. Gaucho rebels, former "cowboys," swung over their shoulders brilliantly dyed saddle blankets of sheepskin. Marching and singing, the would-be-fighters were frequently beset by females, plied with edibles.

Rebel Solidarity. The extreme southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, whence the revolution sprang, appeared to have plumped solidly for revolt. The state legislature under no duress voted $500,000 for the rebel army. Said the local Roman Catholic Archbishop, Monsignor John Becker:

"The Rio Grande do Sul forces are formed of the pick of our youth, and with dignity and honor. The military organization is perfect. The national revolution, a logical consequence of regrettable facts, goes irresistibly on its way to triumph.

"Religious feeling animates and strengthens our soldiers. The victory of the allied troops will begin a new era of national prosperity. May the Lord of Hosts shorten the days of the struggle, and grant us peace, from north and south, for the happiness of the nation and the glory of religion."

President Getulio Vargas of the State of Rio Grande do Sul assumed last week the style of Chief Executive in the revolutionary territory.

Government Solidarity. No less confident and popular in its territory seemed the government at Rio. Vandyke-bearded President Washington Luis who will be 60 next week, denounced the revolutionaries as senseless bloodspillers, calmed local misgivings as to the food supply by stating that Rio has in her cupboard enough to eat until the middle of November.

"The Revolutionaries," declared a government communique, "have not made a single important gain since the outbreak began. The situation will soon be completely in hand."

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