New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-04
A DIPLOMATS VIEWS ON BRAZIL.
II LATE REPORTS ARE TRUE, THE PElXoI'
GOVERNMENT lie THINKS. is IN DES-
pERATE sTRAITi


wo.,,ng,on Dec "A member Of the Diplomatic
C,orns who possesses an intimate acquaintance
with Brazil and Brazans to-day gave an inter
esting picture Of the situation In that Repuphc AZ
viewed by him. He said:
"lf the report Of battle near Sac Pauio Is cor
rect the revolutionsts have made immense strides
in their control Of the territory south OF Rio ia
neiro On the first of July General Saraiva. at the
head of the insurgent forces, was located along
the frontier OF Uruguay and the Argentine hepub-
lie in the State of Rio Grande do Sui. And as
matter Of fact. this revolution began In that part
OF the country. MellO gave his adherence TO II
after II had been in existence some time. To have
rea ched Sac Paulo. the revolutionists must have
gone by land through the States OF Parana and
Santa Catalina 10 within 800 miles OF the capital
OF the republic These States-San Pablo santa
Catalina Parana and Rio Grande do Sul-comprise
the richest portion Of the Republic and have
within their borders of the most important
commercial and strategic points in the country.
One of these is the port of Santos In san PABLO,
from which Is exported the greater portion OF
the coffee OF Brazil. Its Custom House revenues,
/ am told, amount 10 $SO0DO.00 year. by far the
largest portion OF the receipts Of the Government
On the Uruguay and Argentine frontiers are stu
ated the towns Of San Borja and ltaquy. in each
Of which is located a national arsenal containing
immense quantities OF war materials
IF the rcvolutionists have obtained control Of
these places will readily be that the condi-
ate. The Peixoto Government, however. maintains
at least nominal control of the territory. with
Governor Castillo at Porto Allegro in the State Of
RIO Grande do Sui. The Governor has 500 ma
tional troops with him, but communication between
him and the President is difficult II not mpracti-
cable. The presence of General Saraiva In San
Pablo would prevent communication by land, while
Admiral Meo's ships. of which he has three, and
his possession OF st. GATHERINGS Island. about
half way between Porto Allegro and Rio, would in
tercept any vessels which he DID not desire to pass
from port 10 the other.
THE key 10 the situation in Brazil lies in these
four States; They are strongly republican in SEN
tment, while the northern part OF the country In
GLIDING the towns OF Rio. Bahia and Pernambuco.
are monarchical The question that confronts
the country is one that Will not be finally settled
for many years, and may find its solution in the
separation of the Republic into Two. possibly
three sovereignties.
'Meilo's destination" he said. II have no doubt
f. first Bahia and then Pernambuco. which lie on
the east and northeast coast OF Brazil. The mon.
archical sentiment in both Is quite strong, and
the visit OF Meo will probably be followed by an
uprising In support OF the revolution especially If.
Is Imagine Mello's ultimate purpose is to estab.
Iish monarchical government II Brazil; After
stopping at these places Mello will probably turn
OF 10 The east and lie in wait for the coming of
the America and the Nctheroy. IL he them.
Or either OF them, unless they away. the
results likely 10 be serious-to them"