Uncensored

In 1926, Russian-speaking Jerome Davis, Leftist professor of the Yale Divinity School, scooped the English language press with the first interview with J. Stalin since Lenin's death in 1924. He sold it to Hearst. Last week rangy, 46-year-old Dr. Davis, who was ousted from his Yale post seven months ago allegedly for his outspoken Leftism, now the C.I.O. standard-bearing president of the American Federation of Teachers, again broke into print with a report on another dictator, Getulio Vargas of Brazil.

After a flying visit and a peek behind the strict censorship, tightened when Vargas took over absolute power with a new constitution two months ago (TIME, Nov. 22), Author Davis reported: "The present regime in Brazil is the stark, unabashed personal dictatorship by Getulio Vargas, the President. . . . The secret of his power is in the manipulation of army officers. . . . As long as he can control a majority of the army he is safe. He also tries to secure the backing of business and has now the support of the majority, who are willing to tolerate almost anyone, provided profits continue and civil war is avoided. . . .

"At present there is no liberty of the press in Brazil. Even the correspondents of the American press told me they could not write what they wished but only what would get by the censors.

"All the evidence I secured seemed to indicate that a revolt will occur against Vargas inside of one year, and probably much sooner. This revolt will be led by General Flores da Cunha* and will have the backing of some business interests.

"It must not be supposed that Vargas personally is not attractive." concluded Dr. Davis, "and a man of extraordinary political ability. . . ."

*General Jose Flores da Cunha, one of the original backers of the Vargas 1930 revolt which gave him the Presidential foothold, deposed recently as Governor of the rich state of Rio Grande do Sul in a clash over Vargas-usurped powers, exiled himself in Uruguay.

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