Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-11
HANDS OFF OF BRAZIL!
Unole Sam Disapproves of European Ii
reference
The Application of the Monroe Doc
trtne-PreAident Clevelands
Instructions.

Calls ioT vigorous actlOn on the part OF the
United States. There are evidences that
the principles Of the Monroe doctrine are
being transgressed in a most essential par
ticular, and that European governments are
taking entirely too active a part in the set
tlement Of the political troubles Of the Bra
lillian republic. Great Britain, France. Ger
many, Italy and Portugal are represented
at Rio by a fleet Of warships sufficiently
strong to enforce any concerted movement
against any other single power. The latest
official information from our representa-
tives at Rio is to the effect that the foreign
naval commanders have persuaded the in
surgent Admiral Mello to suspend further
bombardment of Rio on the promise Of the
Brazilian President Peixoto that the forts
will cease firing on the insurgent fleet. The
State and Navy Departments may have
other and more definite advices than this
from Rio, but II so they are carefully kept
from the public. All that Is vouchsafed the
newspaper men in regard to the situation
is embraced in the statement already made.
Although 1t Is not stated in the dispatch
above referred to. no attempt is made to
change the impression that the United
in concert with the other foreign naval
officers.
Interference by Foreign Governments
In the absence Of information to the con-
trary therefore 1t looks as though the for
eign naval officers are clearly interfering in
the civil war Of Brazil, and that the strict
rules of neutrality are not being faithfully
observed. The part taken by Minister
Thompson or Capt Picking Of the Charles
ton in bringing about the alleged cessation
OF hostilities Is an executive secret. 1t Is
confidently asserted by some naval officers
that they certainly would do nothing to as
SiSt EurODoan interferQncQ in the a fairs nf
an American government. Naval officers
assert that our representativ are rather
more likely to have protested against for
eign Interference, either in the interest of
the lawful President Peixoto or Of the rebel
admiral, MellO, who is generally supposed
to represent interests favoring the restora-
tion OF the monarchy. Foreign Interference
was once or twice threatened during the
late civil war in this country, but 1t was
never carried into execution.
1t Is contended that the same principle
applies to the present revolution in Brazil.
They must be let alone in their struggle
on the ground that they have as good a
right to settle their own Quarrels as the
United States or any other country had to
settle its Quarrels. And 1t is further urged
that the Brazilian affair certainly does -
call for European Interference. Particular
exception Is taken by diplomats to the prop
osition to land foreign forces at Rio for
the preservation of order and the protec-
tion OF the subjects Of the countries to
which they belong. 1t is pointed out that
such action SO far as New York or any
Of our ports are concerned, would not have
been tolerated for a moment during the
civil war in this country and that the prin-
ciple Is equally good as applies to Brazil
Instructions Sent by the President.
Specific instructions have been sent to
Minister Thompson and Capt. Picking on
this point, but they are kept from the pub
lie. 1t Is inferred. however. that our rep
resentatiyss are reminded of the Monroe
doctrine of America for Americans" and
are enjoined to observe a strict neutrality
between the combatants. and also to see
that there is no interference on the part of
any other foreign government.
The instructions to Minister Thomson
and Capt. Picking, came direct from the
President and were sent to them by cable
In the cipher Of the Navy Department. 1t
is possible that they may cause Capt. Pick
ing to take issue with the European naval
commanders. The Charleston is the only
American war ship now at Rio but before
the month is out she will be joined by the
Newark and the Detroit now en- route, and
their arrival will give the United States
the strongest represen tation Of any foreign
government at the Brazilian capital. "A.
The News From Brasil.
Press dispatches from Rio say that Min
lister Thompson Joined the European diplo-
mats in favoring interference. Officials of
the State Department are silent on this
point.
A New York World special says:
Latest Rio news is that the interference
of the diplomatic corps has been effective
in preventing. for the present danger Of a
renewal of the bombardment Of the city
proper. Mello insisted that he had gone no
further in this direction than to reply to
attacks upon his ships from shore batteries.
The diplomatic corps declared that bat
tertes SO located as to draw fire towards
the city should be dismantled, and the gov
ernment has accepted the suggestion and re-
moved the guns. The fleet has thereupon
stopped the bombardment. The split in the
diplomatic corps over the general treat
ment Of the question has meantime become
serious.
Minister Thompson Of the United States
joins with the representatives Of all the
European nations. except Germany. In IA
voring interference. The German minister
holds aloof from negotiations. The Argen-
tine minister complains that he has been
ignored. never having been consulted in the
matter at all. Under his lead all the other
South American ministers have combined
to oppose interference by the representa-
tives of European powers in a distinctively
South American affair.