St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-15
BRAZIL'S FLEET.
Minister NTendonoa Says the Reb-
els Will Be Crushed.

NEW YORK, Nov. 13.-Among the visi-
tors to the Ell Cid today was Minister
Mendonca, of Brazil. In an interview
with reporter he said. 81 have been
criticized for having said that
the rebels ought to be treated
without mercy. repeat this with en-
phasis, and hold myself responsible for
the words. These revolutionists should
be regarded as band of ruffians would
who might break into the Brooklyn
navy yard in the dead of night, take
possession of vessels and munitions
of war, sail out into the bay,
and demand surrender of New
York, Brooklyn and adjacent cities, I'M
der penalty OF bombarding them. Adj
miral Mello and his men stole ships and
ammunition belonging to the Brazilian
people, and demanded that the govern
ment be turned over to them. The
people rallied to the support of Presi-
deut PeiXoto, and today every state
in the United States of Brazil
is fighting with the president for pre-
servation of the republic. My latest
advises from Brazil assure me that the
people are enlisting themselves in the
national guard and battling molly
against the revolutionlsts. 1t is to
help that the Ell Cid and other
vessels are being fitted out. In
preparing the feet there has
been no intention to enlist Americans
to fight for us. Every officer and sailor
as well as gunner and electrician taken
from New York is under contract not to
enter the war after his arrival at Rio.
The moment the vessels reach Brazil
they will be boarded by loyal
officers and sailors who have
already enlisted, and by these
the government guns are to be turned
upon Mello. l will not make any pre-
diction as TO the time when hostilitieS
will cease. Mello Will. however, it is
my earnest conviction, be crushed ulti-
mately, and then we shall hear of the
resumption of trade and nothing more
of the booming of guns and the sacrifice
of the lives and property of loyal citi-
Zens.
'Our ships, in my Judgment, are be-
ing armed and equipped in way
that will require formidable force
to capture, much less destroy them.
The ships ordered by my government
will sail under the Brazilian flag,
at least after they leave American
waters. No secret has been made
as to their mission. The Off
GERS have instructions to avoid quar-
rel with the occupants of even a canoe.
Should they be fired upon by Mello's
ships before reaching their destination,
of course, for self-preservation, they
will have to fire back. If they are
forced to do this, some one is going to
get hurt.
II fear that our fleet will not be able
to get Off for two weeks, though it was
hoped to start sooner. Every hour is
precious, for 5000 miles have to be
traversed, and the government needs
the vessels as soon as they can arrive at
their destination.
II know nothing more of the British
and stop the war than that L have read
in the newspapers. The attitude main
tanned by the United States during
the conflict has been eminently
satisfactory to the loyal people and
to the government of Brazil.
The salute given Mello's flag
by an American admiral was visited
with rebuke which easily convinced
the government that the United States
is not in sympathy with the revolution
lists. There is chance yet If the rebels
desire a peaceful solution of the dis
pute to submit their differences to the
people. The postponed congress
sional elections will probably
take place in December unless
further delayed by hostilities
Ii the rebels and their sympathizers are
in the majority they can manifest it at
the polls, but they know they would be
hopelessly defeated then, as they will
be in 1894 when we elect new presi-
They are for the maintenance and the
preservation of the republic, and they
are willing to die that it may live"