New-York tribune., 1893-12-31
PEIXOTO AND MELLO.
A PROMINENT AMERICAN on THE QUESTIONS
AT STAKE IN BRAZIL.

TIE VICE PRESIDENT rs sARBITRARY-GcNFR,r
SYMPATHY WITH THE INsrRGENrs-rE.n,
OF MErIO's AMBITION THE UNITED
STATES SHOULD NOT INTEHrEIE
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: have before me an editorial from one of
the prominent daily newspapers Of your city, In
which the editor presumes to outline the policy
Of the United States Government toward Brazil
and the Old World Powers represented here. The
text Of this editorial II the recall OF Admiral
stanton. which act IL made to figure both as "a
demonstration Of our friendship for Brazil. and
as a warning to foreign Powers that We do not
approve Of their proceedings" There Is so much
m!sconception OF the real situation here II this
editorial represents current opinion. and 40 much
Injustice to the foreign Powers concerned that
am constrained to place a statement Of the case
at your disposal which may he accepted as the
result Of many years residence and observation
In this country. 1t Is the opinion Of one individ-
ual, Of course. but II is the opinion of disner-
ested observer who has lived In Brazil both under
the monarchy and the Republic. who has no con-
nection whatever with any party or partisan In
terest, and whose greatest desire IL to see the
country endowed with Government that will
secure the greatest measure OF peace and pros
perity for It's people
enter a protest against the pyrotechnic patriotism
in which American editors are continually In
dulging whenever a question arises involving
European Interference In affairs on this con-
tInent We are large enough and strong enough
to take life calmly and to leave on these the
atricai displays OF fear and braggadocio. We are
not the policemen o; the continent. nor the step
father Of every petty Republic this side Of the
Atlantic. We do not assume responsibility for the
misdeeds OF these states. and We have therefore
no right to protect them against the results OF
their misdoing. And much less hav" we the
right 10 hold the Europeans hands while the
South American picks his pockets or slaps him
IN the face. We may see that Justice II done. II
vou piease: and We may even insist the OBJ
seryance OF the principle laid down in that much
mIsappl!ed Monroe Doctrine. but beyond that We
have no right 10 20. The Monroe Doctrine does
not require us to play the role Of the dog In the
mangcr. Then. too. the South American Indignant
~ spurns selfconstituted protection abuses us
for our presumption and periodically calls FOR
Latn-American union against what he calls the
aggressons and prcsumptons OF the arrogant
Anglo-Saxon Republic of the North. Only last
wear when our negotiations with Chill were ap-
preaching a critical point. the Argentine and
brazilian press fairly bristled with indignation
over our efforts to force a Jus. reparation from
IN Brazil. spontaneously and without prov"ca-
ton, would contrast painfully. think. with the
sweet phrases now lavished upon us.
From the first comments Of the American press
upon the revolt OF the Brazilian Navy. was led
10 believe that a fairly correc: appreciation OF
the situation had been formed In the tinted
States The general opinion was that military
rule in Brazil the prime source 81 her
troubles and that these revolts were the natural
result OF misgovernment and personal r1vair'es.
rather than 81 conflicting political systems.
Although many prominent journals still maintain
this position, many others are evidently changing
their attitude toward the struggle and are now
ready 20 encourage a policy on the part OF our
Government which would place us In a false light
before the whole world. and which would make
us the patron and protector OF a political sys.
tenn which our own people would not tolerate
for one day.
And what Is the cause OF this sudden change OF
opinion: Simply this: 1t has been asserted that
the naval revolt II a monarchical conspiracy.
and that European monarches have been in
terfering in its favor. To make the matter
worse in periodically sensitive American eyes
II has been subtly insinuated or charged. that
the British Minister has lei In this intervention
That has been quite enough. without inq"r-
ing into the truth OF the charges or studying
beadlong to the conclusion. just az our grand
fathers would have done. that Europ" IN med
ding in American political affairs and that W"
,nust bring out the old Monroe doctrine banner
10 scare them away. 1t IL IA pi;y We permit
ourselves to be drawn easily. for II makes
us ridiculous The charges ar" pure inv"n-,
lions and were made to break III" harmony
and solidarity which existed here In Ia" d'p'"-
matte CORPS and 10 enlist our sympathy ana
suptort for government which exists s'ie'y
ty force OF arms.
The causes OF the revolt which brp *. ont in
the Brazilian navy on September h'aF DE-
grouped under two heads Personal "nri'is
and a profound dissatisfaction with the Govern
mcnt. am far from BEING an admlrcr % The
insursent chief Custodio Jose &c M"lIo. Tor
believe that his vanity. ambition and taste f"'
intrigue will b. a constant source Of troub" 'n'
less they can he held In check. tnf'rfnna'''F
these same traits Of character. except. perhaps.
,h,, of vanity are also possessed J." lis "i'-
nonent Vice President rlorano PriXpto. To-
90, her With others even nor" dangerous The
two men are bi,,er personal enemies. although
working tremendously together In tn" same
administration from November. lsSl Z" April.
1893 and the choice between them is 'h''
Of the least Of the two evils y" 'he
leaders in the revolt. including the ''"-
ians entertain strong feelings OF hostility !"
the Vice President. and some of them WIN ihuch
reason. over two-ffths Of the last Cha'np"r
Of Deputies were hostile to the Government a'"
even at the last moment the Government parry
prevented a vote on one OF the Nice-fr"s'"""'
vetoes by avoiding a quorum. In ord"r h"' |"
embarrass him alta critical moment by having
. stronr opposti6n vote put on record. o''-
,de of the navy and OF the congressman OPP
no.,tion. the distrust and dislike OF the Vice.
president and his policy Irrvadcs all cin"s"s
and is no widespread that one wonder" why inc
rising against him was not unanimous.
have been brought into contact win men "'
every class. and / know that the feeling against
r,ortano pcixoto is simply ail-pcrvadinR 'm