New-York tribune., 1893-12-10
BJPEOS1 IND BiHRTNDT.1. I.

BIRBOS1 IND BHHECNDj1.
LA Prcnsa." the most influential journal in
+ the Argentine. relates a remarkable incident
of the Brazilian civil war lsuy Barbosa. for
mcrly Minister of Finance under the Provisional
Government Of President DcodOrO and more
recently an ally of Admiral Mcllo. took pas
sage from Bncnos Ayrcs in II Royal Mail steam
cr for Rio intending to have his family join
him there on the ship and 10 proceed with
them to Bahia and possibly to England. When
| the Magdalcna arrived at Rio the Pcix0to Gov
crnmcnt issued warrants for his arrest upon
| the ship. Admiral Lang. commanding the Brit
ish squadron in the harbor. received informa-
ton of the Governments purpose and took
measures To prevent Barbosa's arrest. When
Pcixoto's officers boarded the steamer they en-
coun,crcd fifty men from Il British man-of war.
The detachment was heavily armed and had a
rapid-firc gun PcxotoS officers retired without
attempting to serve their warrants. Barbosa.
learning that an attempt would be made TO
arrest him N Bahia. where there would be no
British manofwar 10 project him. changed his
plans and returned to Buenos Ayrcs by another
steamer. His family however. were immcdi-
atcy put under arrest in Rio.
This action Of Admiral Lang in preventing
the arrest of political offender under the Brit
sh flag in Brazilian territorial waters revivcs
memories of The Barrundia affair. General Bar
rllndia had been Secretary Of War in Guatc
mala and n candidate for the Presidency.
Driven into exile he had become Il revolution
ist during the war between Guatemala and
Salvador lie took passage in a Mexican har-
Dor on the Pacific Mail steamer Acapulco. bound
for Panama and intermediate ports The Guatc-
malan Government attempted 10 arrest him in
Champcrco. and Captain Pitts appealed To the
American Minister. Mr.. Miner. Al San Jose
the Acapulco anchored not far from two Amcri-
can men-of-war. and Captain Pitts again re-
fused 10 surrender General Barrunda without
positive orders in writing from the American
Minister These orders were sent To the ship.
The Guatemalan officers boarded the vessel 10
make the arrest. General Barrundia fought for
on the deck with the American flag flying
This outrage occurred while American cruisers
were close m hand.
The Barrundia affair thoroughly investi-
gated by the Harrison Administration. Sccrc-
tary Tracy strongly ccnSurcd the conduct OF
the naval officers Secretary Blaine. in long
review Of the case under date Of November IS
1890 disavowcd the acts of Minister Miner rs
utterly without Justification. pronounced his
usefulness in Central America 10 be- N an end
and relieved him from office. The Minister
was condemned for permitting himself 10 fur
nSh warrant and excuse " for arbitrary and
violent proceedings. without even the s"mblancc
of legal forms and authority. on the deck of an
American vessel. which thereby became the
scene Of confusion. Of danger and II aSSasslna-
ton" He was reminded that he had been in
formed 10y Captain Pitts that General Barrun-
dIa would probably resist arrest. and that the
time was of great disorder when ordinary
law WAS suspended and life and liberty We're
at the mercy of the rulers and of an excited
populacc. Secretary Blaine expressed his aston
ishmcnt that the Minister instead Of conscnting
officially 10 the arrest Of General Barrllndia.
had not directed Commander Rcitcr 10 take the
refugee on board the Ranger within or without
the waters Of GuItcmala. and thereby followed
humane and recognized prcccdcnts which have
been sanctioned by civilized Governments.
The action of the Harrison Administration
in the Barrindia affair was vchcmcntly assailed
by partisan critics in the press Of this town ana
elsewhere The right Of the Guatcmalan OIL
cals To make the arrest and 10 take the pris-
oncr off an American steamer was loudly de-
Tended and the course Of the State and Navy
departments WAS ferccly and wantonly con
dcmncd aS contrary 10 the principles of inter
national law. A few years have passed, and n
British admiral is now found 10 be acting in Il
parallel case precisely as the Harrison Admin
stration thought that Minister Miner and
Commander Reitcr ought 10 have acted In the
Bar1lndia affair. When Peixotos officers I'M
lcrtook 10 arrest Barbosa under the British
flag there was the guard Of lfty men with their
rapid-hrng gun 10 defend him. He was not
shot down like Il dog under that flag with the
ronniyancc Of the British Minister and the fleet