The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-27

tentative there, Minister THOMPSON. to
unite with them In carrying out their
policy OF Intervention; and We regret 10
say that at one time about ten days ago.
| this Minister sent to the State Department
n despatch which was of q most unsatisfac-
tory kind. We rejoice to know that as soon
as bis communication reached Washing
ton. Secretary GRESHAM. by order OF the
President, forwarded instructions to him
that under no circumstances should he
COOPERATE with the foreign powers act
ing against Brazil, or sustain In any way
the policy which had been set forth by
the British Minister In conjunction with
other European Ministers. We have rea-
son for saying that these instruc-
lions were most explicit. and that Mr..
THOMPSON. whatever opinion he may pre-
yiously have held. has faithfully obeyed
them. 1t has not been possible. for n
long time. that any foreign power should
misunderstood the attitude OF this Gov
eminent toward that OF Brazil; and IL gives
us pleasure to say that the British Minis
ter ct Rio. Mr.. WYNDHAM, has recently
been less obtrusive than he was In the
frat week OF this month. There are few OF
the European powers. even those OF them
which would not shrink from affronting
Brazil, that would care to give offence to
the Government Of the United States.
The act OF Rear Admiral STANTON, in
saluting the rebel flag Of MELLo. was
doubtless blunder Of ignorance; but.
under the circumstances. 1t was a griev-
GUS blunder, for which our Government
has doubtless offered Its apologies 1t
occurred at a critical moment for Brazil.
at q moment when the war ships OF
MEI1o we're bombarding the capital Of
the country, at time when the con-
stitutional authorities were In state
OF alarm. whom they were watching
every movement Of the foreign navies
before the city. and when MEIIo had APP
pointed one Of his fellow revolutionists
to the Office OF revolutionary President
OF Brazil. national salute to the
rebel flag by the commander OF our
South Atlantic squadron. who had
lust arrived at Rio from Barbados.
looked like an official recognition OF the
rebel power. and may we'll have led Presi-
dent PEIxoTo to fear that the American
Government, instead Of befriending him.
had taken step in advance even OF those
European Governments which have been
seeking his overthrow. in order that Brazil
might be brought under foreign domino
ton. No wonder that the Brazilian Minister
at Washington hastened to the State De-
partment to ask for an explanation.
Rear Admiral STANTON fell into an unfor-
tunate political blunder: and he has already
been made to suffer for this blunder. under
the indignation of President CLEVELAND and
the rules OF the navy. He Is doubtless
man OF courage and loyalty. but he can
not be man OF good Judgment
or Of prudence. He might have got
us into q bad scrape. His act was calcu-
lated to encourage the rebels. to mislead
the European diplomatists at Rio. to offend
a friendly power. to put the United States
in q false position. He had been for but
very few days at Rio; apd he ought
to have made 1t his duty to confer
with Minister THOMPSON upon his arrival
there, In order to ascertain the attitude Of his
Government toward Brazil. He could not
then have honored the enemy Of the country
to which he was sent. and to which our
Minister is accredited. He deserved to be
disciplined, as he has been.
His blunder has. however. given the Ameri-
can Government first-rate opportunity for
marking it's friendship for Brazil. and for
giving the foreign powers represented at
Rio to understand that we do not approve
OF their proceedings. or OF the conduct OF
the British Minister, who has acted as their
spokesman. We apprehend that they will
take warning. The MONROE doctrine Is the
stronghold of American freedom.