832.00 Revolutions/438
The Ambassador in Brazil (Morgan) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 14.]
Sir: I have the honor to confirm the information which has been published by the American press that the Federal Government has banished to Europe a large number of civilians and of military officers who actively participated in the recent São Paulo State revolt. Of these, of which a printed list is enclosed,9 thirty-eight are civilians and forty military officers. Among the former are a president of the State, members of the State Legislature, representatives of São Paulo in the Federal Senate and Chamber of Deputies, journalists, lawyers, medical doctors, and other professional men. Among the military are General Klinger, six additional Generals and officers of all ranks from Colonels to First Lieutenants. These persons are now on board the Lloyd Brasileiro vessel, Pedro I, en route to Recife, where they will be reembarked on another boat of the same Line, Siqueira Campos, which will disembark them in Lisbon. The punishment of former President Arthur Bernardes, Borges de Medeiros, and Pedro de Toledo has not been decided. Their cases are more serious than those of the men already deported, since, after having been actively friendly to the existing Government they suddenly, and without justifiable reason, opposed it with arms. Toledo’s case is peculiarly grave. When, as the direct representative of the Federal Government he was serving as Interventor (Governor) of the State of São Paulo, he not only turned over the State Government to the insurgents, but became their chief civil executive.
[Page 428]In effecting these banishments the Federal Government is following the example which was set in 1889 when the day after the Revolution the Imperial family was embarked on a Brazilian vessel with Portugal as its destination. After the Revolution of 1930, the leading members of the Government which had been overthrown were also banished, but on this occasion, as their number was not large, they took individual passage on any convenient steamer leaving Rio de Janeiro for European ports. The practice of banishment has proved effective in the past and should do so in the present instance, although the number of the banished is considerably larger than ever before. The exiles of 1930, although most of them were in Europe during the revolt, were unable to return to Brazil or to obtain assistance for the Paulistas from any European Power.
The Federal Government is proceeding with preparations for the meeting of the Constitutional Assembly in the first week of May, 1933 and electors are being enrolled throughout the country. It remains to be seen whether the citizens of São Paulo, who alleged that the object of the revolt was to secure a rapid return to Constitutional Government, will curb their fanatic attitude toward the Federal Government and will be willing to be enrolled. For the first time women will be entitled to the vote and an association has organized for their benefit courses of lectures on political privileges and obligations. There is a general desire on the part of educated women to avail themselves of the opportunity now presented.
The Federal portfolio of Justice and Interior which has been vacant for ten months will be filled by the appointment of a politician from Rio Grande do Sul, Dr. Francisco Antunes Maciel, Jr., of middle age, who has been Secretary of Finance of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, and was selected by the Federal Interventor, Flores da Cunha, who was unwilling to accept the ministerial postion when offered him. Dr. Maciel is an unfamiliar figure in the Capital and his professional competency has yet to be ascertained.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩