Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-07
OUR SHIPS AT RIO.
They May Have Some Active Work
to Do.
WHAT FOREIGN MEDDLING MEANS.
A Possible Crisis That Might Call
for Vigorous Action.
THE HAWAIIAN QUESTION.

An impression prevails among some gov
ernment officials that the prospects of this
country becoming involved in the trouble
in Brazil are much more imminent than is
generally comprehended. and that there is
strong probability that within a short
time our war ships in the southern waters
Will have some active work before them.
The situation Is regarded by well-informed
officials as grave and the possibility of our
being involved in actual military hostilities
as not remote. Just at present matters are
at a standstill. We have several war ships
there which are good Of their class and
others are in readiness to proceed to the
Brazilian port on short notice. The pur-
pose of the administration is stated to be
to have assembled there the very best ships
in our service in numbers sufficient to make
any stroke of policy attempted successful.
The crisis has not been reached and it Is
not anticipated that there will be any de-
velopment which is liable to involve the
United States in the trouble until the feet
Of the government of Brazil, which is be-
ing fitted out in this country, shall have
reached the Brazilian coast. At that time
the crisis may come that will compel this
country to take hand in the settlement
Of the difficulty. There is a decided belief
here that there Is secret foreign interfer-
ence for the assistance of Mello in
his revolution, but as yet there has been
secured no positive evidence of 1t. When 1t
is known beyond dispute that Germany
and the rest of the triple alliance is as
sisting the revolutionists there Is no rea-
son to question what will be the policy Of
this government. 1t will be vigorous
enough, 1t Is asserted, to satisfy the most
ardent advocate Of the Monroe doctrine.
If evidence of this foreign interference
iS OF tok knn hxy
country, it is said. will be to enter a
vigorous protest. and II this is not followed
at once by cessation of all interference
the protest will be sustained by force.
Whether force will become necessary 1t
will require time to develop. but If the cir
cumstances arise the force will appear.
Mello's Navy.
1t is believed that an addition to Mello's
navy is being fitted out in some foreign
port, and that the new vessels will be ready
to join the revolutionists about the time
that the fleet of the government of Brazil.
being fitted out in this country, reaches
the scene of action. Thus far Mello has
not in any way interfered with our COM
merce, and an attitude Of most perfect
friendliness has been maintained by both
the government and the revolutionists to-
ward the United States But the conflict
will come when the government fleet ap-
compelled to declare a policy. If the triple
alliance keeps It's hands on, the United
States can do little else but stand on guard
and preserve neutrality. but if there is any
foreign interference 1t Is not likely our
government will remain passive. Plans
are being made in anticipation of the most
serious developments. II 1t becomes neces-
sary for the United States to use force
to compel the recognition of the Monroe doc
trine, will probably be involved, ac-
cording to the Information now at hand.
not with Germany alone, but with the
whole triple alliance. In that event. 1t is
thought. Russia would take sides with the
United States.
Other Troubles I'm South America.
The trouble in South America is not con-
fined to Brazil, but is brewing throughout
the country. Other outbreaks are antici-
pated and there is possibility that we may
in a short time have trouble on the Pacific
coast to occupy our attention. 1t is said
that Chile, having cleared away the debris
of her recent war. is preparing for trouble
with some of her neighbors and the policy
of the Chilean government is, since
trouble, generally hostile toward the United
States. How far there is danger of our be-
coming embroiled on the Pacific coast of
South America cannot yet be said.
The Hawaiian Question.
Out of all this grows the possibility of a
change of purpose on the part of the adj
ministraton IN connection with the Ha-
waian matter. The administration has not
been disposed in favor of the annexation of
Hawaii heretofore, and the report of MIR.
Blount on the subject was in favor of a
protectorate. and not annexation. 1t has
been understood that Mr.. Cleveland intended
sending a message to Congress during the
special session in accordance with the
port made by Mr.. Blount. He was deferred,
however, from doing this at first by some
general opposition within the party and
finally postponed the message altogether on
account of further Information and other
Developments expected. 1t was first eX-
pected that Mr.. Willis, who was sent as
minister to Honolulu to succeed Mr.. Blouflt,
would act there merely as minister, and no
report from him on the question Of annex
alton or protectorate was required. Later,
however there seems to have been a change
of purpose, and at this time a report from
Mr.. Willis is awaited with considerable in
terest by the administr stration.
1t is conceived that there Is a probability
that the report of recent developments
which will come from Mr.. Willis may
change the attitude of the administration.
1t is said that everything will depend
the nature Of this report but that it is pos
sible that 1t may be of a characte.- to lead
Mr.. Cleveland to send to the next session
OIL Congress a message favorable to annexa-
tion, and entirely different from the message
he would have sent during the special ses-
sion. The administration is now awaiting
with deep interest for further information
from Brazil, Chile and Hawaii, and it Is
probable that steps will be taken to dis
cover If there is any warrant for the belief
that an addition to the naval forces of the
revolutionist Admiral MellO is being fitted
out In European port.
Believed in Naval Circles.
The statement in yesterdays Star that
Commodore Walker will take command Of
the United States naval forces in Brazil in
the event of a crisis jeopardizing the princi-
Piles of the Monroe doctrine finds general
credence among naval officials and other
persons who have closely observed the re-
cent trend of events in connection with the
revolution in Brazil. Commodore Walkers
present duties are of an important char
acter, but they could be readily relegated
to another officer in case it is deemed neces-
sary to send him to Rio. His selection for
this most important duty would be based
primarily on his ability and his thorough
knowledge of the situation and incidentally
on his friendliness with both parties to the
conflict. This friendship dates from the
time when he last visited Brazil with the
squadron of evolution, few years ago.
Something Going to Drop.
Mr.. Arlington, chief post Office inspector
of the Washington division, left for the
south last night Today he is somewhere in