Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-19
The Situation in Brazil.

II Is impossible 20 form n comprehensive
,d., ~ The situation in Brazil, or draw
anything like a satisfactory CONCLUSION as
"a what will be the ultimate result OF
IN. struggle now going on there. New
combinations seem to be arising every
dav and the reports sent out as to the
status OF affairs. the Intentions OF he
Mello and the operations OF President
Peixoto's forces are conflicting.
A few DAYS ego It was telegraphed
broadcast that Desterro, the capital Oh
the Provisional Government, established
nv De Nrello. had been captured by the
government forces. Desterro Is the capt.
tai OF the State OF Santa Catharina' which
Is the main dependence Of DE Mello on
land. and its loss would be n serious blow
10 the insurgents. Thursday, however
peixoto sent out an official statement In
which he declares that the day before
being the fourth anniversary OF the Re
nublIc. he received congratulations from
all the States except Santa Catharina-
He makes no mention Of the fell OF Des-
terro, and the obvious inference Is that
that city is still in the hands OF the De
AIello party. simultaneously with Peix-
oto's official declaration came the an
nouncement that the insurgent fleet also
celebrated the anniversary Of the Repub-
lie. but almost Immediately was publish
ed q cablegram saying that De Mello
had raised the Imperial standard and pro-
claimed Count DEUS eldest son
Emperor OF Brazil. Another startling
piece OF information in Thursdays dis
patches was that Robert Grant, the
United States Consular Agent at Desterro,
had been arrested by the revolutionists
because he did not sympathize with them.
and was a prisoner on board one OF their
vessels, but although the Navy Depart
ment received Friday. and under that
date, advices from Captain Picking, COM
handing the United States squadron in
Brazilian waters, no reference was made
In them to any such Incident.
Despite his uncertainty, however. one
thing seems very evident. Whether De
Mello Is for n republic or for the %restora-
ton OF the empire, the tim is fast APP
preaching when he must either abandon
his designs or act vigorously. The United
States Government has united with the
other powers to protect commerce at
Rio. and this combination. It is under
stood. will prevent any effective bonn
bardment Of the city. FL Cid and the
other vessels purchased in this country
by the Brazilian Government, will soon
be in the harbor OF Rio. and the opinion
Of experts is that with their modern
fighting equipment they will prove more
than a match for De Mello's feet. which
is supposed TO be already badly crippled
for want OF ammunition. It IL. therefore.
contended that the insurgents will be
driven 10 making an attempt 10 land,
and tho question presents itself. What
would probably be their reception by the
people should the attempt succeed? Ac-
cording to Peixoto's highly-colored off,
cial announcements the vast majority OF
the people and Of the army Of Brazil are
enthusiastically loyal 10 his cause. But
these announcements must be taken cum
grano sails. 1t is well known tina PeiK-
oto's inoumbency OF the presidency has
been characterized by numerous acts
Of tyranny and fragrant violations OF the
Constitution, and 1t Is not In the nature Of
n people striving for constitutional repre-
sentative government to be devoted to
such a man. Doubtless many Of his mill
tary satellites are loyal TO him, but they
are OF his kidney. The editor OF the Rio
News told a very different story from
those Peixoto has sent out touching the
condition OF affairs at Rio, n the feel
Ing in Brazil generally towards the Presi-
dent. end for so doing was arrested and
his paper was suppressed. Ho represented
that loyalty to Peixoto was in a large
measure enforced. and IL half of what he
published IL true the reasonable presump-
ton is that any change In the situation
and government would be for the better,
and that If Do Msllo makes a landing he
VIII have no difficulty In securing large
numbers OF adherents from both the popu-
lace and the army,
What the United States will be called
upon to do should II prove true that Con-
sular-Agent Grant has been arrested
and imprisoned by the insurgents, and
that De Msll0 has raised the Imperial
standard, Is a delicate question. The
answer involves many contingencies.