Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
RECOGNIZING INSURGENTS.
The Question Again Oomplicates the Bra
zilian Situation.
An Island Captured by the Govern
ment and a City Destroyed
The Monroe Doctrine.

The Brazilian situation has assumed new
and interesting phase, according to dis
patches recently received at the State De-
partment from Minister Thompson at Rio.
The text of these dispatches is withheld for
the present, but it is understood that they
raise the question of the formal recognition
OF the insurgents as belligerents. The min
lister has asked for instructions on this
point in view of the probability of such ac-
tion on the part Of the other foreign repre-
sentatives.
The ground on which the foreign diplo-
mats base their contemplated new stand is
that the revolutionary forces already have
foothold on land in the southern part Of
Brazil. which. they argue. gives the insur-
gents a reasonable claim for recognition.
Minister Thompson also refers to the ru-
mors circulated in Petropolis. where the
diplomatic corps is stationed, about the
5000 soldiers marching toward Rio from
Rio Grande do Sui, and refers to this as an
other argument used by the foreign repre-
sentatives in favor of recognizing De Cana
This latter information Minister Thomp-
son gives a mere rumor, and In view Of
the impracticability of the troops men,
toned reaching Rio overland from Rio
Grande do Sui the authorities here are not
inclined to attach much credence to 1t.
Big Question.
The question would naturally arise as to
whether recognition, before the insurgents
had acquired the right according to inter-
national law and custom, was equivalent
to interference on the part of the foreign
governments This is a big question, which
the administration will deliberate upon very
thoroughly and seriously before coming out
fat-footed in favor of a vigorous enforce
ment Of the Monroe doctrine.
Up to this time the United States has per-
sistently refused to recognize the insurgents
as belligerents, and naturally hesitates to
change its position in the absence Of any
radical change in the Brazilian situation.
1t is probable that the cruiser New York
will be sent to Rio to reinforce the cruisers
Charleston, Newark and Detroit, but SO far
no orders have been given to that effect.
The Captured Island.
Minister Mendonca states that the island
of Gubernador which a London dispatch re-
ports to have been recaptured by Peixoto
from the insurgents. is the largest island in
the bay of Rio. 1t is not Of much import
ance, however. In the present condition of
things. but it may prove to be of great ad-
vantage in the future should hostilities be
prolonged. 1t lies in the upper bay. north
west of the city of Rio, and is the location
of large hospital and number of manu-
featuring establishments When Mello took
possession of the island there was a quanti-
destroyed. The explosion, it may be re-
membered, killed two officers and a number
of men belonging to an English vessel in
the harbor. who were on the island getting
sand. The northern end Of the island COM
mands the entire northern coast of the bay,
and battery planted there could prevent
the passage Of a force along that part of
the country.
City DESTROYED.
The minister's mail advices confirm with
additional particulars. the reported destruc-
ton Of the city Of Nictheroy. which is the
capital Of the state Of Rio de Janeiro, and
situated across the bay from the city of Rio.
distance Of three or four miles. This was
the first point Of attack by the rebels under
Admiral Mello. and the several attacks
made by the insurgent forces in their futile
efforts to effect a landing resulted in prac-
tically the total demolition of the business
and principal residence portion of the place
Mello's object was to gain a foothold on the
hills back of the city. whencehe would have
been able to dislodge the garrison at Santa
Cruz. but all his efferts were successfully
resisted. Nictheroy had a population OF
about 10000, and the damage done by the
destruction of prODerty WAS very Ia rpo