May 3o» 19^8 Land & Water 
Brazil's Part in the War 
15 
T 
Signer W. Braz, 
President 
of the Brazils 
HE entrj'- of Brazil into tlie 
'war on the side of the Allies 
probably created but little 
enthusiasm in the minds of 
Englishmen at home. Those 
who consulted the map could see that 
it was a case of checkmating the 
schemes of Germany in a large mari- 
time country, while on the other hand 
our food supply would be likely to 
benefit by our closer co-operation 
with Brazil. But that is not the sum 
total of Brazilian importance to us. 
It is a remarkable fact that the 
man in the street knows practically 
this vast country most of whose 
an admiration which amounts almost to 
In Brazil "the word of an 
nothing about 
inhabitants have 
a craze for everything English. 
Englishman " is the most reliable of sureties, and the shop- 
keeper cannot praise his goods more highly than by labelHng 
them " English style." Tennis, association football, and 
rowing during recent years have gained enormous popu- 
larity, the actual English words for scoring, rules, and 
even applause being emploved in the former two. It is 
amusing to hear the words, "Well played !" come out in the 
midst of a salvo of Portuguese from the onlookers. The Boy 
Scout movement is thriving, and the educated woman of 
Brazil has already 
begun to see in First 
Aid and Nursing the 
thin end of the wedge 
which shall open a 
way for her into the 
free and active life of 
her m u c h-e n v i e d 
Enghsh sisters. 
It is worth our 
while to appreciate 
Brazil correctly, both 
as an ally in the war, 
and as an important 
commercial adherent 
after it. The vast 
wealth which is stored 
up in her little-ex- 
plored hinterland is 
only beginning to be 
foreshadowed. The 
necessities of war 
have brought to light 
the fact that the 
production of man- 
ganese, mica, and 
other increasingly im- ' 
portant minerals will very soon exceed altogether her present 
exports of rubber, coffee, sugar and cotton ; cattle-raising is 
•on the increase. 
We at home know the years of war it has needed before we 
are even moderately sure of having scotched German influence 
in the United Kingdom. It is not to be expected therefore 
that the Teuton in Brazil has yet received the full measure 
of his dues. In a country of many illiterates, it is not 
possible to dispense in a moment with the servicesOf 200,000 
educated foreigners, and the important enterprises they, 
represent. Furthermore internments on such a large scale 
are a severe tax on the finances of a small nation. So that, 
although the German Banks and great Shipping Houses are 
closed in Rio, yet (Germans of both sexes are frequently to 
be met in public. But they conduct themselves discreetly. 
Even before Brazil declared war the German's life was not a 
happy one in Kio. To-day police protection is given to the 
windowlcss German buildings because the citizens broke in 
and attempted to burn them down in October, 1917, when 
two Brazilian (ex-German) ships were torpedoed on their way 
to Europe. They wrecked most of them very tiioroughly 
then, and have since done the same to one or two lesser 
buildings. No doubt there are pro-Germans to be met with 
occasionally, but there is no mistaking the attitude of the 
vast majority. It is interesting, but a little risky, for an 
Englishman not well-known in Rio to venture among the 
avenging crowds. The educated people of Brazil can almost 
all understand if not speak English, but the poorer folk, in- 
cluding the policemen, cannot distinguish it from German. 
However, to smoke one's pipe is to announce oneself an 
Englishman, and, as a last appeal, the singing of "Tipperary" 
would almost certainly convince any Brazilian crowd of one's 
nationality. 
Rio de Janeiro, the most wonderfully reconstructed city 
in the world, was also, until recently, one of the most pleasure- 
loving. To-da}^ the President is endeavouring to instill war 
economy into the- nation before it feels the brunt of war — 
a by no means easv task. Economy is not easil}' preached 
in a country where State Lotteries are of daily, and public 
holidays of all too frequent, occurrence. The most popular 
of the latter is the Carnival, which occupies the four days 
preceding Ash \\'ednesday. 
Brazilians who complain of the high cost of living will 
probably wish to see war ec^onomy continued in times of 
peace. It costs one about 30s. a day to live at all comfort- 
ably in Rio. Some manufactured articles are now difficult 
to obtain, and the cost of everything "owing to the war" 
and the colossal protective tarififs, is such as to make unac- 
customed English folks feel faint with horror. A ready- 
made drill Jacket, though cheaper in back streets, will be 
commonly priced at 45s. in shops on the Avenida Rio Branco. 
A tailor-made man's suit will cost about £10. 
Recruiting po.sters have been common for over six months, 
and the result is seen in the numerous soldiers and khaki-clad 
"tiros" (c.f. French "tireurs") who are to be seen every- 
where to-day. These latter correspond to our territorials in 
principle, though in 
practice they have 
doubtless much to 
learn before they 
reach the splendid 
standard of our 
"terriers" of to-day. 
The first thing about 
them that strikes one 
is that they all wear 
elastic - side boots 
with very delicate 
leggings, a combina- 
tion that would not 
survive the stress of 
life in Flanders for 
long. 
A recent message 
from the King to the 
President of the Re- 
public welcomed the 
navy of Brazil on its 
entry into active war- 
fare. By no section 
of the nation is 
Britain so much be- 
loved as by the Navy. 
Nor is this surprising when one recollects that it was our own 
brilliant Lord Cochrane who founded Brazil's navy in 1823, 
receiving a marquisate for his services.' His name and other 
British names are borne to-day by officers who trace their 
descent from Cochrane and his colleagues. During the revolt 
of i8g3, when the navy was excluded from its country's ports, 
the British ships on the station took pity on them in their 
dire straits and gave them provisions. The descendants of 
those men are serving under the Republican flag to-day, but 
they do not forget the English kindness shown to their fathers. 
In a young country the navy is of necessity hampered 
for lack of funds. It would be impossible for a small Power 
to expend the vast sums which are set aside by first-class 
Powers, not for construction, but merely for upkeep and the 
constant succession of exercises vital to the efficiency of a 
fleet. Brazilian naval officers, until the entry of their 
country into the war, have had to content themselves with 
wearisome " make-lx'lieve " practices, and, worse still, the 
supply of materials for repairs and construction had been 
entirely commandeered by the belligerent powers. But 
there has always been a large section of keen officers and men 
to vitalise the ileet and keep in touch with modern naval lines 
of thought. A flourishing Navy League with a monthly organ 
shows that keenness on naval affairs is not confined to the 
Service When Admiral Alencar, the Minister of Marine, 
called for volunteers for active service, there was a rush for 
the lists on the part of officers and men alike. They have 
long chafed at inaction, and we may expect good service 
from them. Brazil will certainlv do her bit on the sea. 
Hoisting the Brazilian Flag over a German Steamer 
Interned in Rio Harbour 
