The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-21
BRAZIL'S CIVIL WAR.
r1ckieness of the Political Leaders
StriISiRgIy Illustrated.
Chicago Herald.

chicago Herald.
All the civil war now raging in Brazil.
rival ambitions of two men--President
Peixoto and Admiral Mello' said II O.
carson, or New York, at the Palmer Hohsa
yesterday. while engaged as a buyer for
a large coffee importing house 1 have had
occasion 10 make from one to three trins
a year TO Brazil, and I think THIS present
revolution was brewing for a long time
Tor l heard 1t whispered in certain dissaf
lsfled circles In Rio Janeiro more than a
year ago. To explain the situation go back
a few years. First, there is no DENYING the
fact that the old empire, under the late
Dom Pedro, was a far more stable govern
ment than any republican administration
that has existed since But, you know. the
spirit of democracy is abroad in every land
IN these days, and especially is an empire
In the western hemisphere distasteful TO tho
people. Although the citizens of Brazil en-
Joyed many liberties under Emperor Dom
Pedro, yet the time had come for a repub-
tic, and so one day they put the old man
aboard ship and politely kicked him out
OF the country and broke his heart. When
the throne had been thus knocked down
Inc prov islonal republican government was
established and Da Fonseca was elected
President. He resigned account OF Door
health in June, 1891, and General Peixoto.
the Vice President, became President. Be-
fore the republic had been completely or
ganlZed PelXoto was Secretary OF War in
me provisional government. Now the
trouble began. From the moment Peixoto
became President rumblings Of dissatisfsc-
ton were heard in many portions OF the
in the motives of the new President They
feared that he would soon attempt to as
sumo the powers of a dictator. And their
fears were not entirely groundless, as later
events have proved. That seems to be tho
falling of all men who rule over Central
and South American republics. anyway-all
fails he is either killed or exiled, and the
man who steps into his shoes will, ten TO
one, follow in the same footsteps when he
has year or so of power. The history OF
Brazil Is exception to the rule.
Now, to illustrate the fickleness Of Bra
lillian politicians, let me tell how Admiral
Mello and President Peixoto, who are now
pitted against each other, have changed
their political views as easily as a weather
general for Dom Pedro at the time of the
Emperor's downfall and OF course he then
advocated monarchical principles, but he
now pretends to represent republicanism OK
the most radical stripe. Admiral Mello. at
the time of Dom Pedro's downfall, although
strong imperialist, was far more liberal
PeiXoto at that time Now, Admiral Mello
has become the leader of the reactionary
elements of the country. which are inclined
to return to a monarchical form of govern
ment, and is at the head of the rebellion
against Peixoto, VINO formerly was stronger
for monarchy than the Admiral himself.
This shows how these two shrewd men
have shifted their views in order TO keep
on the rising tide of popularity. So, the
present civil war is simply a fight between
these two ambitious leaders for power. And
it wouldn't surprise me to hear that Ad-
miral Mello wins out in this big game. AZ
the dissatisfied elements aiding cin,
and they are quite numerous. being COM
posed of the old monarchists, the clericals,
the disgruntled republicans and a powerful
following in Rio Grande do Sui In fact
there has never been time since Peixoto
became President that some Brazilian prov
ince was not in state of revolt And, TO
make matters worse, Peixoto vetoed a bill
passed by the Brazilian Congress making
the Vice President, who is his tool. inelig:-
BILE for the Office of President. This brought
the crisis. 1t wass evident that Peixoto
wanted to make himself military dictator.
But If Admiral Mello should win he would
be made President or monarch and things
would be in just as bad, If not worse. shape.
Peixoto is backed by the major portion OF
the army, by Congress and by nearly the
entire machinery OF the government, with
the exception of the bulk of the navy, and
has also the popular support in the central
and southern states of the republic. Mellp
has the navy, a good fighting minority in
Congress, all the disgruntled elements and
the popular support in the northern states.
That makes a pretty fight, for the forces
are nicely divided Meanwhile. Melio has
only been sparring for points, IS Il were.
by bombarding Rio and allowing his guns
to hurt nobody And all the tine Amer
leans are paying more for each sip OF coffee
drank in the United States.