Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-11-28
FONSECA RESIGNS.
He Would Rather Save His Head
Than Remain Dictator.
An Uprising in Rio de Janeiro Forces Him
to the Conclusion 10 Resign--Busi-
ness at "A Standstill.

A cable despatch from Rio Janeiro, says:
The inhabitants of this city whose sympathies
have been with the Congressional party have
at last thrown of all guise of adherence to the
existing government and have openly declared
their determined opposition to the dictatorship
of General da Fonseea and their resolve that
lie must abandon the Presidency, which he has
held for only comparatively brief period.
Like Dom Pedro, President Da Fonseca has
quietly yielded TO the demands of the people,
that the executive of the Brazilian Govern
ment be deposed from his high office.
The people rose in arms against the Dieta-
tors government, and the uprising has thus
far been very successful, and the insurgents
have accomplished the ends for which they
had been SO long secret y plotting.
Among the first thing the revolutionists did
was to increase their store of arms and ammu-
nitions. A strong force of the insurgents made
an attack on the naval arsenal, and alter
weak and only halt-hearted effort on the part
OF those stationed at the place to repulse the
u tempts OF the invaders 10 effect an entrance
into the building its qua dams soon capitul-
ated TO the enemy, and the latter triumphant
~ lVuh BtSstSSiOI VI tllE anu uAi AhN
munitions of war which it contained.
Only lew shots were exchanged, and the
poor resistance made by the defenders of the
arsenal is shown by the fact that none of the
insurgent force is reported to have been killed
or serious Y wounded. A laborer employed
in the arsenal was struck by one of the shots
fired by the attacking party and is the only
one OF the contestants known to have lost his
life in the assault. One of the cannon balls
fired from the arsenal was badly directed and
struck the Candelaria Church. causing con-
siderable damage TO the building.
The news of the uprising had very dis
quieting effect and created the greatest alarm
among the women and children and those
citizens who had not taken up arms in sup
port of either party, and when the fighting
began at the arsenaland the rattle Of musketry
AM boom OF cannon were heard, all were
seized with wild panic and fled to places of
safety to hide until the firing had ceased and
the conflict was at an end. The merchants
aud shopkeepers, fearful lest their places be
looted by the insurgents or by thieying indi-
yiduals who would take advantage of the
confusion and excitement TO pillage their
stock, made haste to close theirestab lishments
and securely bolt and lar both doors and win
dows and take such other me sures for the
safety of their property as occasion warranted.
All their hurried preparations were unneces-
sary, however, for, as already described the
alta on the arsenal was of only short dura-
ton, and beyond the smashing of portion of
the church struck by the cannon bail no fur
Their damage was inflicted on property, and
very little disorder prevailed among the Con-
gressionalist forces. The feeling of alarm in
the city was gradually dispelled, and all the
people are now rejoicing at the success which
has crowned the efforts of those who took part
in the revolution to put an end to the Da Fon-
SEGA dictatorship.
The members of the Cabinet which had
been organized by President Da Fonseca re-
signed wh,n the triumph Of the reyolutionists
became an established fact and the manifesto
of General Da Fonseca announcing that he
would bow TO the will Of the people had been
issued.
The state of siege which had been proclaimed
was at once raised when the insurgents OBJ
tanned control of the government.
1t is expected that the members of the Con.
gress which had been dissolved by order of
Da Farseca will be recalled to Office.
Senior Peixotto, it is said is forming gov
eminent.