Office of the Historian

740.0011 European War 1939/4048

The Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery) to the Secretary of State

No. 3148
Rio de Janeiro, June 14, 1940.
[Received June 20.]

Sir: With reference to my telegram No. 275 of June 13, 8 p.m., I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy and translation of the text of the official statement issued through the Department of Press and Propaganda, for the purpose of clarifying the address which President [Page 623] Vargas made on June 11, the text of which was transmitted under cover of my despatch No. 3140 of even date.55

Respectfully yours,

For the Ambassador:
Randolph Harrison, Jr.

Second Secretary of Embassy
[Enclosure—Translation]

Communiqué Issued by the Department of Press and Propaganda

The address made by President Getulio Vargas on June 11 does not bring about any alteration in Brazil’s foreign policy. Its only object was the internal life of the country as well as to call the attention of the Brazilian people to the transformation the world is undergoing, thus justifying the necessity of strengthening the State both economically and militarily.

The President of the Republic sought, moreover, to arouse the attention of his countrymen, warning them against discouragement and pessimism. As regards ideas on political, social and economic organization, what he said merely reiterates previous assertions. This speech is a warning, a call to reality, which disconcerts only apathetic spirits, accustomed to every-day comfort.

Brazil’s foreign policy is one of entire American solidarity in the common defense of our Continent against any attack from outside. Our country, on the other hand, does not intervene in European conflicts, maintaining strict neutrality. The relations between Brazil and the other American nations, especially the United States, have never been as good as they are now.

  1. Not printed.↩