BRAZIL: Waiting List

An announcement new to Latin American revolutions came from the revolutionists of Sao Paulo last week, leaders in Brazil's civil war against the Rio de Janeiro Government of Provisional President Getulio Vargas. So many enthusiasts had volunteered for the rebel army that the lists were full and the books closed with a complement of 60,000 men—all that Sao Paulo arsenals, armories and munitions plants can take care of. Tardy volunteers must take their places on the waiting list, to be called as casualties warrant.

Even Rio had to admit last week that the resistance of the Sao Paulo rebels was greater than previously announced. General Waldemiro Lima of the Federal forces maneuvered importantly in this fifth week of the revolution without producing any concrete results. President Vargas issued a decree last week calling for three new infantry battalions and 800 more cavalry troopers. It was admitted that the Federal troops have had no great success. A grand mass offensive with airplanes, tanks, artillery and infantry was promised for next week.

Most important to U. S. business was the effective Federal blockade of the great coffee port of Santos. In the past month only one ship has entered Santos harbor, the Munson Liner Western World which was given clearance papers fortnight ago to carry U. S. citizens from the war zone. New York shipping brokers estimated that the blockade of Santos is costing U. S. shipping companies $15,000 a round trip each. Brazilian warships guarding the harbor received a curious visitation last week. A squadron of rebel bombing planes zoomed overhead in formation, then as sailors rushed to battle stations dropped hundreds of large pink roses on the startled mariners.