Democracy by Decree

Brazilian newspapermen had waited seven years for a collective interview with their Dictator-President, Dr. Getulio Dornelles Vargas. Last week, in Brazil's summer capital, over 100 reporters and editors jampacked a small, ornate salon, waiting patiently to question Dr. Vargas about the "Additional Act" -- his brand-new constitutional amendment.

Scowling and uncomfortable -- as he has had reason to be since he gave the Brazilian press its freedom last fortnight--the longtime (4-year) dictator entered the room. As flashbulbs popped and movie cameras whirred, the well-publicized Vargas grin erased the scowl. Vargas, in answer to persistent queries, 1) said elections would be held "soon", 2) evaded saying whether he would be a candidate by hinting at the possibility of a "serene and tranquil" third name acceptable to all, 3) guaranteed that "freedom of the press [but not necessarily of radio] will be wholly maintained," 4) asserted that Soviet recognition was "decided upon."

Constitutional Amendment. In contrast to the illiberal and unratified 1937 Constitution, the "Additional Act" provided for a republican form of government, direct suffrage by all Brazilians except soldiers over 18 years of age. But it still maintained the President's present power to decree certain laws and to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies. It kept the government in control of labor unions and said not a word about abolishing the hated Press & Propaganda Department.

Once again freedom of the press put the dictator on the spot. Snorted Rio's Diario Carioca: "The 'Additional Act' is stillborn." Snapped former deputy Dario de Almeida Magalhaes: "The 'Additional Act' . . . Additional to what? ... To a constitution which doesn't exist!" Sneered sober old-line statesman Virgilio de Mello Franco: "All the fascism that can be maintained has been maintained."

Even diminutive Francisco ("Chico") Campos, author of Vargas' 1937 Constitution, turned on his former chief, declared that "the time has come for Vargas to think about Brazil instead of himself!"

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