Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-03
BRAZILIAN POLICY.
BRAZILIAN PULICY.
Strict Non-Interference Probably
the Presidents Position.
OUR VESSELS NOW AT RIO.
In Case Of European Interference
More Will be Sent.
B y WING ARMS II E r E

So far as official Information is con-
cerned the public knows absolutely moth
ing about the policy of the administration
with respect to the revolution in Brazil.
There are any number of reports on the
subject some of which are accepted as
true because of their plausibility. All are
alike however. in that they lack the seal
OF official confirmation. For instance, 1t
has been asserted time and again that the
United States will adhere to the Monroe
doctrine in this case and that 1t has served
notice on the parties in interest that the
United States will vigorously resent foreign
Interference in favor Of the insurgents.
This report is predicated on another re-
port that European governments are Sc
cretly intriguing with Admiral Mello. the
leader OF the insurgents, to secure in the
event or his success, the restoration of a
monarch1cal form OF government for Bra
iii. The United States naturally favors a
republican form of government for that
country but that the administration has
taken any steps toward the perpetual
ton of such principles in its southern
neighbor is at best a matter Of inference,
for the simple reason that the powers
that be" deem 1t best to keep the public
IN T ignorance OF their actions in this case
crecy Is the circulation of all sorts Of SEN
sational reports, which receive unwarrant-
eu dtteHtlOn because they are Ignored by
the only persons capable of showing their
falsity. Through the courtesy Of Secretary
Herbert The Star was enabled yesterday
to contradict positively the absurd story
that negotiations are pending for the sale
to the Brazilian government Of the cruisers
Montgomery, Marblehead and Matthias, now
under construction for the United States
navy. Another story equally absurd is that
the United States government is SO much
interested in the cause of the Peixoto re.
gime that it has ordered the cruiser New
70 To- Mi,
steamer Ell Cid, recently purchased In
New York. in order to protect that vessel
from possible molestation by insurgent ves-
sells.
This report received credence principally
on the assumption that the cruiser in New
York is under orders to go to Brazil. As q
matter OF fact. no such orders have been
issued. and 1t is not at ali certain that the
New York will visit Rio in the near future.
That vessel is being rapidly prepared for
active service and Rio may be her imme-
date destination. but II she goes there at
all 1t will be on account Of a most radical
and unlocked for change in the present
situation OF affairs, such as the active in.
OF the monarchical party.
ships Available.
1t Is stated at the Navy Department that
no more vessels will be sent to Brazil for
the present, except in the unexpected event
of an important crisis threatening the in
terests of the United States, and in such
case We would certainly not be content
with sending one ship when there are at
least four available. 1t was explained that
If naval demonstration were necessary
to enforce our contention We would make
the best showing possible and that the
present conditions are such that we have
exactly four powerful ships that can soon
be added to the fleet of three already in
the harbor Of Rio de Janeiro. The reinforce
ments are the New York at New York, the
San Francisco in the West Indies and the
Chicago and the Bennington, now cruising
IN the Mediterranean. all Of which can be
| rendezvoused In Rio in about three weeks
time at the latest. The point was made
that IL the circumstances justified the dis
patch of the New York to Rio they would
also require equally the presence Of the
| other vessels named. Consequently the
vessels now on the European station are
| just as likely to be sent to Brazil as the
New York. The recent equipment of the
last named vessel is simply for the pur-
| pose or having her ready in case she is
needed. Secretary Herbert is responsible
for the statement that she will not go to
| Brazil, except in an emergency, and there
has been no change in the situation since
he made that sta tement early this week
The administration has all along studious-
| ly avoided taking sides in the Brazilian con-
| troversy. as evidenced by the recall Of Ad-
miral Stanton for his unauthorized recog-
milton of the insurgents and ii is regard
ed as extremely unlikely that 1t would coun-
| tenance such a radical interference in be-
half of President Pexioto as the EMPLOY
ment of the New York as a convoy of one
| OF his ships. The impression prevails that
non-interference, and that this government
cannot consistently ask European powers
to Keep hands off" unless it observes itself
the same spirit of neutrality.
| Vessels ut Rio.
The United States fleet at Rio comprises
the cruisers Charleston, Newark and De-
troit. The last named vessel arrived there
yesterday after a long and rather slow
voyage from Hampton Roads. The arrival
OF the Detroit caused Secretary Herbert
and naval officers generally considerable
relief, not on account of the additional
strength her presence will give to the
American squadron at Rio, but because
there was much anxiety felt over her
safety in view of the belief that she is
somewhat top-heavy, like the Machias and
other vessels.
AT the State Department no information
on Brazilian matters is obtainable News
papers containing accounts of events in
Rio were received yesterday, but they
threw no new light on the condition of az
fairs. When Secretary Herbert was seen
he said he did not care to say ANYTHING
about matters at Rio. Concerning the re-
ports of sensation happenings there af-
fecting the United States, Mr.. Herbert said
that If people wished Ito conjure up ghosts
Of serious occurrences they were at perfect
liberty to do
Buying Arms Here.
The fitting out of armed vessels in this
country for the use Of the Brazilian gov
eminent in the revolution has suggested
inquiries as to how far this movement of
President Peixoto can be carried without
fracturing our national obligations Of nom
interference. The opinion is expressed that
the purchase of arms armed vessels and
ammunition can be carried on to an I'M
limited extent by nations recognized by the
United States. According to nearly all the
executive and judicial decisions on the SUBJ
ject, American ship builders and dealers
in munitions Of war are dependent on for
eign troubles for their support, and can
manufacture arms and boats for belliger-
ents without fear of involving the United
States in international complications SO
long as the government gives them no as
sistance in the execution of contracts made
with them simply as citizens. Cases are
cited at the State Department where in
years past the same firm in this country
supplied armed vessels for two govern
ments at war with each other-Spain and
one of it's South American dependencies.
| CalifOru1a,s IncpeaseA VINTAGE