Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-11-03
ABOUT THAT SEA DUEL.
The Cruiser New York VIII Not
Interfere With It.
OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD BRAZIL.
What They Think at Washington Concern
ing the Possible Naval Duel on Sandy
Hook-The Fleets of President PeIxoto
and the Insurgsnt McIIo.


WASHINGTON, Nov. "A new feature of
the Brazilian situation arising in connec-
ton with the purchase by President Peix-
oto's agents of American ships for use by
Brazil in her civil troubles has been brought
to the attention of the state and navy de
partments. This has its basis in the state
ments that have been printed in the news
papers that the crack cruiser New York,
now fitting out for sea at the New York
navy yard, would act as n convoy to the
American vessels purchased by Brazil as
far as the three mile limit off the Brazilian
shore, or to some point near Brazilian ter
ritory, where they could be turned over to
the government of Brazil, the manifest
purpose being to thwart any attempts that
might be made by Admiral Mello, COM
handing the insurgent feet, to destroy the
vessels before they reach brazilian waters.
The Cruiser VIII Take No Part.
Still another aspect Of the case has been
suggested to the of1icials-viz, that the New
York is to convoy the Brazilian fleet while
the latter displays the American flag I'M
til some point near Brazil Is reached, when
the vessels are to be turned over to the ex-
listing recognized government.
y reporter interviewed number of of
ficials on the subject. They treat the mat
ter very lightly and scout the probability
or even the possibility of any such events
taking place as those referred to. The
cardinal principle, it is asserted, which this
government wants to have maintained and
adhered to Is that of noninterference with
the affairs of Brazil
To order the cruiser to be used for either
of the purposes stated would be in direct
contravention to this principle, and would
be an announcement to the nations eff the
world that this republic had espoused the
cause of Brazil and was arraigned on the
side of the recognized government as
against the insurgent party, which it has
not even recognized rs beliigerent To al
low the New York to convoy the vessels to
Brazil would he analogous, it is said, to
one of the United States cruisers now in
the harbor of Rio de Janeiro acting as an
escort to an unarmed loyal Brazilian gov
eminent vessel which desired to pass one
of the forts now in the hands of the insur-
gents Surprising, however, the probabili-
ties OF such actions, the conveyed ships, it
is insisted, would not be any safer when
they reached Brazilian waters with the
cruiser than they would be without her, for
they would then be subject TO attack just
the same as if they were on the open seas,
and no good result would be obtained.
Arms May BE Sold, Though.
Naval officers say they cannot recall any
instances where action and interference, as
this would be, has ever been resorted to on
the part of this government and they pro-
nounce both reports to be simply magma
tive and without any foundation in fact
The government must not they insist, in
tcrfere in the domestic affairs of Brazil or
any other country further than to protect
its own citizens and see that they do not
suffer as a result of internal difficulties
1t must be borne in mind, however, that
there is nothing to prevent the shipment of
arms and ammunition to Brazilian ports or
to any other country by vessels flying the
American flag
In fact the government does not restrict
but rather encourages the sale of arms and
ammunition to foreign peers, not with
any desire, however, to NEEDLE with their
affairs or to help any contending party,
but merely for the purpose of building up
American industries.
But the line is emphatically drawn and
the government will promptly institute in
Quiries should it be led to believe that any
vessel or vessels are being fitted out in this
country for the use of any insurgent or
revolutionary party This was forcibly
demonstrated in the case of the steamer
ltata which was fitted out on the Pacific
coast with arms and ammunition for the
insurgent party i'll Chill two years ago,
but which was promptly pursued and over
hauled by a vessel of the United States
and her cargo fort cited.