New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-03

| shall have the same rights which are enjoyed
by your American States. We are introducing
administrative and social reforms. The Liberal
/ Administration always promising TO bring
in projects OF this kind, but IL invariably failed
TO carry its proposals into execution. That was
why people lost all faith in Ouro Preto and his
Ministers They were Imperialsts and not re-
formers Their sole interest lay in retaining their
offices and defending the Empire. Measures
which they have been discussing for years have
been decreed and enacted by the Republican Gov
eminent in the course of few weeks. Civil
marriage is illustration"
| At this point / asked whether any decision
had been reached respecting separation Of Church
and State. lie replied that the Ministers had not
yet declared their policy, but that it was prob
able that compromise would be effected and
complete separation deferred for more con-
venient season. His remarks this subject
were deeply interesting. but shall embody them
in companion letter on religious questions
The Minister here suggested that as the room
was very warm, it might be pleasant to continue
the conversation in his library. We went up
stairs to his working room large and airy apart
ment with windows commanding a magnificent
prospect of the Corcovado. The walls were
lined with bookshelves, the Minister having one
of the finest private libraries in Brazil. He is
an accomplished linguist, speaking five languages
fluently. Among his books my eyes caught the
| titles of large number of English and American
works in handsome bindings. There was a COM
plete collection of English histories. The popu-
lar series of American Statesmen was displayed
on the shelves with large number of English
and American biographies. Brices American
| Commonwealth was in prominent place, and
with it were many works on American constitu-
|
izen Series" was also there, and a remarkably
fine collection of books on economic subjects
The French alcoves were equally well stocked, and
the Portuguese and Spanish shelves contained an
| imposing array of books. There was something
inspiring in this glimpse of a magnificent private
| library in the working rooms of the Minister OF
| Finance. 1t demonstrated at a glance the Ca
| pacity and intelligence of at least one of the
constitution-makers in this creative era in Bra
| lillian history.
Continuing the conversation / asked the Min
| lister whether the naturalization decree had been
framed in spirit of hostility TO foreigners BY no
manner of mesns!" he replied. warmly I'VE
| want the help of all the intelligence in Brazil
! in the present crisis. We have extended the
privileges of citizenship to all foreigners residing
| here at the time of the revolution. If they do
| not wish TO avail themselves of the offer 1T will
| be our misfortune. Naturalization is not COM
pulsory If any English American citi-
| zen does not choose to profit by
the opportunity of becoming voter
here there will be no compulson. We want all
| the aid we can get in working out the problems
| of Brazilian progress" then asked whether for
eigners who neglected 10 declare their unwilling
| ness to become citizens would thereby be COM
PEELED to renounce their own nationality. He
nit, 4IA
utmost leniency and moderation II work
ing on the railways, for instance, did not under
stand the law and failed to appear before the
municipal authorities 10 protect their rights as
foreign citizens, there would be compulsio1
attempted We grant citizenship to foreigners,
he said, as a favor because we need their CO.
operation We want to do everything we can for
Brazil, but shall not seek TO drag any unwilling
| foreigner into citizenship"
| then asked the Minister whether there was
| any disposition on the part of the Government to
| antagonize the interests of foreign capital. He
replied with the greatest emphasis that nothing
could be further from the truth. We need" he
| added, European and American capital here.
We want it TO come in We shall do nothing to
keep it out. This is q country almost wholly I'M
developed. We must have all the help we can
get from foreign capitalists, and shall 40 nothing
TO impair the stability of such investments here.
Trade with the United States we strongly desire.
We want to see more steamships under your flag
and to cultivate the closest possible commercial
relations with your country. Brazil, as young
Republic, turns toward the United States the
great Republic. development of your trade
with Brazil will be most satisfactory to our
people because they feel that you are in sympathy
with our institutions"
One important question I had reserved to the
close of our long talk. 1t was this What is the
meaning of the decree of martial law?" The Minis
ter's reply was ncisve and without evasion. I'VE
hare TO DEAL" he said, with some bad and ig-
norant classes here, and must have some prompt
means of furnishing those who plot against the
Government and disturb public order. There are
perhaps 20, 900 people in this town who must be
kept under the restraint of such measure as this
decree 1t is precautionary measure. 1t pro-
vides for emergencies which are not likely to
arise We cannot have civil strife. We must
have absolute peace and quiet. / do not con-
slider that the civil processes Of law have been
suspended military commission has merely
been organized to investigate and pass upon GER
tain classes of offences"
do the newspapers come under the restraint
OF this decree ?" asked. They do not, he re-
piled "The Opposition journal which suspended
publication made false preteXt of the decree.
II would have gone ou' Of business in any event.
but chose to do so in that way. The Republic
does not and will not assail the liberty Of the
nress The decree will not be enforced against
the newspapers. That charge is wholly false
The decree for organizing military court will
in my Judgment, be sparingly enforced, because
there will be no occasion for employing military
courts. 1t is precautionary measure"
At the close of our long and satisfactory talk
Senior Barboza expressed the warmest desire for
the continuance of the friendliest relations with
the American people. Let me write out scnti-
L. L. 4l.or. tonl a