Complex sentence: Brazilian warships were deployed to the Uruguayan towns of Salto, Paysandú and Maldonado, ostensibly to "protect Brazilian subjects," while Uruguay's only warships, the small steamers "Villa del Salto" and "General Artigas", were to be neutralized.
Split into simpler sentences: Brazilian warships were deployed to the Uruguayan towns of Salto, Paysandú and Maldonado to "protect Brazilian subjects". And Uruguay's only warships, the small steamers "Villa del Salto" and "General Artigas", were to be neutralized.