The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-11-18
SATURDAYS TALK,
Which Throws Light on the Way In
Which the Revolutionists
Trtunnnhad

NEW YORK, November 16.-Mr. John G..
Rekman, chancellor of the Brazilian consul
ate In this city said today that. in his opin-
Ion, the outbreak in Brazil is congned to an
insurrection of soldiers in the barracks at
Rio. "Senor da Fonseca," he said, "who Is
said to have been proclaimed President by
the insurgents, has doubtless melted the re-
velt. Last July the regiment, which he COM
manded had quarrel with body of the
police In Rio. Col. Fonseca sustained his
men, and, for refusing to abide by the de-
cision of the minister of war, he was about
to be courtmartialled, but was saved by the
pardon of the Emperor. In this Dom Pedro
allowed his generosity to lead him into error.
There are about 5000 troops in Rio, and IL IL
it is true that the insurgents have made the
ministry prisoners, the soldiers must have
possession Of the capital. The Other troops
are scattered over the empire In seaport
towns, in the interior and along the Bolivian
frontier. The railroads are not connected
with each other, but for the most part run N
not extend far into the interior. SO it will
take the government a long time to mass the
army at any one point. even supposing that
the troops outside of Rio remain loyal. Bra
zil has loosely organized militia, number
Ing. perhaps, 100000 men, and u Is hHely
provinces. The people of Brazil do not ike
the army, and are not likely to be In sympa-
thy with them in this rebellion.
1T is altogether improbable that the in
surrection is due to Republican influence.
Last July the Conservative ministry re-
signed, and the Emperor appointed minis
try of Liberals, who lean strongly to Repub-
licanism. The new cabinet presented pro-
gramme of reform in the ballot laws and in
taxation and other liberal measures, and on
the platform went before the people at the
elections last month, and were .overwhelm-
ingly triumphant, securing a three-fourths
vfte. The Republican party elected very
few members to either House, and, besides,
Is not disposed to ask for anything at pres
ent. If the Republicans had instigated this
uprising. or If they expected to profit by it,
Is strange that no word has come to Senior
Lafayette, the head of the party, who is now
in Washington. The rebellion may be hard
to put down, because of the advantage F0n-
SEGA has obtained, but believe that the 9TH
er provinces and civilians generally will
unite to suppress IT,
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 16-From
gentlemen intimately acquainted with Brazil
ian politics 1t Is learned that the revolution
in Brazil is purely military, and only for
midable from the lack Of troops outside
of Rio to bring against the rev0lutionists.
The force In Rio is about 6000. There are
not more than 10000 in addition, and they
are scattered over the empire. Gen. Fonseca,
who is at the head Of the revolution, was
accused of insubordination last July, and
the minister of war proposed to have him
court-martialled, but the Emperor forbade
It, II the whole force in Rio are of one
mind, things can be carried with high
hand. The parliament is to meet next
Wednesday, and many of the senators and
deputies are already in che city. If they
agree to recognize the new government.
Dom Pedro's abdicati0n may be looked for
II they do not they will have to go to jail
A the revolutionists control the cable,
definite news may not be received for several
days. The revolution comes as a great
surprise. No financial troubles exist The
August elections were peaceful. The Lib
eral cabinet proposes popular measures, and
the Emperor is universally liked. The
coup de main may affect the status of the
Brazilian delegates to the Pan American
congress,