832.00 Revolutions/600: Telegram.
The Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:25 p.m.]
110. I have just seen the Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs, who had received a visit a few minutes earlier from the German Ambassador who came to deliver three protests. The first concerning [concerned?] the arrest of German nationals yesterday and today in connection with the Integralist Putsch. The second was a note denouncing the recent attitude of the Bank of Brazil instructing importers of German merchandise to file immediately statements of their compensation requirements (my despatch No. 546 of April 2624). The third was a note protesting violently against decree 383 of April 18, 1938 prohibiting foreign political activities (my despatch No. 530 of April 22).
Aranha had replied to the Ambassador, in the first case, that if Germans were arrested in connection with the Putsch there was undoubtedly some good reason therefor. In the second case, he will deny that the Ambassador has grounds for protest. In the third case, the Government will decline to modify decree 383 of April 18.
[Page 415]The Minister for Foreign Affairs added confidentially that in his opinion (although he has no proof) there existed some German connection with the Putsch.
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