Ten Treaties

When Belgian King Albert rolled over to Rio in 1919, hospitable Brazilians built him a special train in which he toured their United States. Last week Royal Albert's train, splendidly refurbished, was turned over to Brazil's latest great visitor, big-fisted President Augustin P. Justo of Argentina who rolled up to Rio in a battleship (TIME, Oct. 16). Just before his departure last week dynamic General Justo signed with broad and highbrowed Dr. Getulio Dornellas Vargas of Brazil what they called "ten treaties." First was a pact of utmost significance, binding Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay and Paraguay last week to 1) renounce aggressive war, 2) refuse to recognize territorial acquisitions made by conquest and 3) combat outside intervention in settling South American disputes. Up to the day of signing it was not known how many states would sign with Argentina and Brazil. Paraguay's signature was taken to mean that she wants to stop fighting her everlasting war with Bolivia over the Gran Chaco (TIME, July 17 et ante). Bolivia's refusal to sign indicated her resolve to battle on under German General Hans Kundt. Because the League of Nations has not yet finished adjudicating the Leticia dispute between Peru and Colombia which brought those nations to war (TIME, Feb. 6, et seq.) they refused to sign last week, as did Ecuador which adjoins the Leticia region and hopes to have a finger in the final settlement, peaceful or otherwise. Apart from the Anti-War Pact, by which Argentina and Brazil led South America a long step on the road to peace, the other nine "treaties" signed by Presidents Justo and Vargas, some of them mere agreements, served to adjust local issues between the A & B countries and stimulate their trade. Among other things the two Presidents abolished mutual visa charges and tourist taxes, provided for an annual Brazilian Exposition in Argentina, an Argentine Exposition in Brazil. Finally the A & B countries agreed to revise their school textbooks, striking out "any criticism of South American countries."

Chuffing out of Rio on Royal Albert's special last week. President Justo made for Sao Paulo and Santos. "The Coffee Heart of Brazil." After visiting famed Butantan Snake Farm, where deft attendants showed him how anti-snake-bite vaccine is made from venom, President Justo rode out to a typical Brazilian coffee jazenda, then embarked at Santos to sail home on the Argentine dreadnaught Moreno. He had not even reached home when an incident occurred to give a decidedly ironic twist to the peace negotiations. A cousin and a nephew of President Vargas were killed in a minor fracas with Argentine frontier guardsmen on the Uruguay River.

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