The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-24
BOULANGER OF BRAZIL.
HOW GEN. DA FONSECA ESTAB-
LIsHED TIE NEW REPUBLIC.

The Causes That Led to the Overthrow
of Dom Pedro and the Exile Of the
Brazilians - a Republic That Has
z Been Growing Steadily for Twenty
Years Under Monarchical Rule.
Copyrighted, 1897
NEW YORK, Nov. 23.-rhe civil snd
military revolution in Brazil, which has
resulted in the deposition of Emperor Dom
Pedro II. and the establishment of a
provincial republic, is one of the most re-
remarkable national transitions of the
present century. 1t may yet prove by far
the most notable event that has occurred on
the Western Hemisphere since the procla-
nation Of the American republic and the
downfall of Macmillan in Mexico. 1t has
been fortunately unattended, as far as
learned, by those scenes of riot and blood
shed that are the usual accomplishments of
violent changes of government.
At the outset it would seem surprising
that there should be a revolution in Brazil
at all. The strength of the Republican
party, when tested in the recent elections,
was apparently Insignificant. They sue
succeeded in returning few
members to the chamber of deputies,
but only after a second ballot,
the liberal leaders being in majority in
the ministry and having the legislature
with them overwhelmingly. So closely did
the character of the government approx
mate to what might he expected under
republic, and so liberal had been the whole
tendency of the administration during the
fifty-eight years of Dom Pedro's reign,
that the people were generally believed to
be satisfied with things as they were. In
deed, there was in Brazil faction among
the wealthier classes so strongly conserva-
tive that they even blamed the emperor
for his ultra-hberalism and progressive
ideas
But while Brazil, with its population of
nearly II 900, 600, was already republic in
almost everything but the name, Dom
Pedro and his advisers could not fail to
observe that there were causes at work
that threatened the downfall of his govern
ment at any moment. The real revolution
had been slumbering for many years before
single blow was struck When the
moment arrived, Boulanger was ready.
The press of Brazil, and notably that of
Rio, Para and Bahia, had been openly
republican. Repeatedly and recently they
had called upon the emperor to abdicate:
called in DO rebelious spirit, nor did they at
any time endeavor to excite the people 70
DEEDS OF violence. The demand was made
in the name of the people whom they de-
clared to be republican at heart. In this
crusade against the Braganza dynasty the
Gdzetd de NooiciaS the Didrto and the
PdtG were most prominent. The emperor
and his ministers we're aware of
the strength of the movement
and of the fact that the
press represented the popular sentiment.
When Princess Isabella, acting as regent
during the absence of Dom Pedro a year
ago signed the decree emancipating the
slaves, it fell like ruinous blow upon many
OF the planters. Their crops were destroyed
and their losses were almost beyond com
putation, The wholesale manumission took
place at a time when it was impossible to
secure the help necessary for the harvest,
and the freed negroes could not be induced
to work. Further, the government did not
propose any scheme for the decentralization
OF those who sustained losses by the sud
den liberation, and the result was an agri-
cultural depression and discomfort that has
tened the crisis. The failure of the crops
produced results that were not confined to
the farming and plantation districts; wide
spread misery among the poor of Bahia,
Rio and other centers of population fol
lowed.