The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-14
The Revolt at Rio.

The hurried steps taken by the Navy De.
partment to concentrate war ships in Bra
lillian waters show full appreciation OF
the gravity OF the instruction begun by the
squadron Of Admiral MELLo. The critical
situation OF affairs in the harbor OF Rio
Janeiro may be judged from the news that
at least two attempts to land have already
been made. at Notheroy. by the insur-
: gents vessels. and that bombardment of
the forts was ordered yesterday. 1t was
at first conjectured when the fleet rose
In rebellion and demanded tho resigna-
ton Of President PEIxoTo. that it would
put to sea and make for Santos. further
down the coast. In the State OF Sac
4 Paulo. There 1t could communicate with
the insurgents Of the southernmost prov
ince. Rio Grande do Sui. while still threat
ening Rio. But one obstacle was that
the entrance to the broad and magnificent
roadstead Of Rio Janelro Is less than two
miles from shore to shore. and commanded
by the cross fire Of forts on either bank. The
army was thus far loyal to PEIxoTo. and the
coast garrisons could. therefore. be relied
+ upon to open fire in case the rebel squadron
should attempt to go to sea.
But that Admiral MELLo had determined
In any case to risk his cause at Rio Janeiro
Is shown by his conduct. He first called
upon the garrison OF Fort Santa Cruz
on the eastern shore. to Join In the
revolt. When that request was refused. he
sought to land by force. According to the
Government account. his first attempt was
repulsed with loss OF about 80 in killed
and wounded. A second effort was also
defeated and the story was started that the
insurgents were staying in the harbor be-
cause they feared to run the gauntlet
at the entrance. But this was followed by
tidings that Admiral MELLo had ordered a
bombardment of the forts for yesterday
The rigid censorship OF the Government
upon the telegraph meanwhile suggests
that affairs on the land may also be more
threatening than is acknowledged.
While the naval revolt is all we hear Of
thus far. it can hardly have been under
taken without the promise or prospect of
some support among the people. 1t is true
that demonstration against the Govern
ment was made short time ago by an
other naval officer. Admiral WANDENKoLK.
which was quickly put down. But there is
no reason for supposing that the navy, as q
service has special grievance against
PEIXoTo. the cause Of the revolt being
political. not professional. The specific act
which brought it about Is said to have been
his veto OF an act passed by Congress- pro-
hibiting Vice-Presdent from afterward
filling the Office of President. Such q
statute would manifestly be aimed at
PEIxoTo. aud even II his veto of 1t was con-
stltutionM, as his representatives in Eu-
rope have publicly declared. the passage OF
the act by Congress indicates hostility to
him. On the other hand. 1t is asserted by
the Brazilian Legation In London that Con-
gress voted to declare martial law in the
capital. thus supporting the President In
an essential point. and siding with him
against the navy.
Secretary HERBERT. under these crcum-
stances. has made unusual preparations to
protect American interests at tho scene of
trouble. Tho wooden fourth-rate cruiser
Yantic, which has an old-fashioned battery
and a small complement. and is of only 900
tens displacement. happens to DO tho only