Intangible Party

To Brazilians the most toothsome political news in their dictator-ruled country last week was the name of a new political party: Uniao Democratica Nacional (National Democratic Union). So far, it was hardly more than a name; it had no tangible organization, no admitted leaders, no raidable headquarters. But Brazil was talking about it anyhow. It was whispered that political big shots were members of it. Clandestine literature was passed from hand to hand. Even in its present amorphous state, the party was a spark of light in Brazil's long political blackout.

Since Vargas seized the presidency of Brazil in 1930, he had often promised elections, but never held them. He destroyed old political parties, prevented new from forming. But the latent opposition has recently shown new strength. One reason was the U.S. presidential election, which the newspapers reported in detail, to the open applause of the Brazilian people.

The Dictator's police tried to dam the tide of underground literature, including "suppressed" articles from U.S. magazines. At last, the Dictator yielded a trifle. His Minister of Justice and Labor, Alexandre Marcondes Filho, told reporters: "Elections are being studied. . . . The process will obey democratic norms."

That was what the amorphous Uniao was apparently waiting for. It let the world know that it was watching for an old dodge: a sudden, fascist-style election sprung on the unprepared Brazilian people by the Dictator. It also let the world know that it had a presidential candidate in mind: popular Air General Eduardo Gomes, who was considered democratic-minded but had enough influence with the military to make his election stick if he won it.

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