The record-union., 1891-11-13
SITUATION IN BRAZIL.
AN EFFORT TO DECLARE FONsECA
a LIFE DICTATOR.
Men Being Forced Into the Service of
the Navy-Low Wages and
High Prices for Food.
Special TO the REcoRp-uNroS.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-The Bureau
of American Republics has, from semi
official sources, information in regard to
the present condition of affairs in Brazil,
to the effect that telegraphic and other
news coming from or via London is often
entirely false, and generally distorted or
magnified. British jealousy of the in
creasing influence of the United States in
Brazil and the fear of losing commercial
supremacy in that country are motives
which inspire false and alarming dis
patches concerning the political disturb
ances in Brazil.
The situation at Rio Grande do Sui is
peculiar, party feeling having been
warmly aroused between the Republicans
on one hand and the adherents of the
Liberal party, partisans of the deposed
leader, Silveria Martins, on the other.
About one-third of the population of that
State is of German descent, and a gentle
man, thoroughly acquainted with them.
says among them the national feeling is
much stronger than State attachments.
therefore he thinks no secession move
ment can be permanently successful in
the State. There is a tendency among the
smaller States to merge themselves with
their larger neighbors, and a clause in the
new Constitution provides for such action.
TALK OF LIFE DICTATORSHIP.
Rio JANEIRO, Nov. 12.-Reports were
current in this city to-day to the effect
that the army and navy forces We're max
ing preparations to proclaim Fonseca life
Dictator OF Brazil. The Government is
securing full complement of men for
warshlps by means Of impressment. A
press gang is actually engaged in the
work OF pouncing upon and forcibly con-
yeying to ships all eligible meu whom
they think would make desirable MEM
bers OF the crew. A number of army
officers have started from Rio Grande do
Sui, at which place it is reported that
those who have taken part in the reyolu-
tlonary movement against the Dictator
are now completely under control of the
Government.
AFFAIRS FAR FROM SATISFACTORY.
NEW YORK. Nov. 12.-The Associated
Press has letter from it's correspondent
In Rio JaneirO, Brazil, under date of
October 18th, which, while prior to the
breaking out of the revolution, contains
much OF interest regarding the situation
in that country. The state of affairs.
the correspondent says. is far from salts
factory. In the past two years this coun-
try has been flooded with paper money.
now amounting nominally to $50, 900. 900,
and deprecated to less than 50 per cent.
this depression and the burdensome
taxes, all necessaries of life are at exorbi-
tant figures, and constantly rising. Sala-
ries and wages, however, have not risen.
Strikes and disturbances, at one time
almost unknown in Brazil have become
frequent.
Rio JaneirO had just passed through
serious disturbance originating in
ridicuiously insignificant cause, the facts
showing that in the irritate0 state of pub
lie feeling many persons are ready to
seize on any preteXt to cause trouble.
The manager of an opera company. be-
ing unpopular, band of students one
night insisted on his coming before the
curtain TO be hissed. He replied that
while duly grateful he must decline.
Whereupon the students persisted in the
demand until the police interfered. Then
followed wild riot, in which the in
terror Of the opera house was wrecked
and many persons injured.
The next days papers attacked the po-
lice, and speeches We're made on the
street corners by orators. among whom
were some Congressman and officers of
the army. At night rioting began. Many
persons were wounded, two or more be-
ing killed. The army seemed in great
measure to sympathiZe with the people
against the police. The rioting continued
until next day, but the excitement was
then quieted down. The correspondent
predicts, however, that there will be
more rioting soon, both in Rio Janeiro
and elsewhere,