New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-21
CITTL WAR ~ BRAZIL.

RumOIs OF the occupation of Rio by the IN
surrcnts are received from London. While
the news may be premature and may be con
tradicted another day, Admiral Mcllo'S fleet
is apparently in undsputed control OF the sea
boald, and is gaining ground steadily IN ITS
warfare upon President Peixoto. If the Ad-
miral has succeeded in obtaining possession OF
the capital and in debating terms 10 the Prcsi-
dent and to Congress. the navy will be here
after a more powerful factor than the army IN
Brazilian politics. The army overthrow the
Empire but the feet has already expelled one
military dictator. and is now mcnacng the
captal with destruction unless his successor
retres from office. The success of the revo-
lutionists will be the triumph Of the navy over
the army. and it will be an evil precedent.
President Pexoto las not been a speculative
adventurer like Cclman. nor an ambitious
dcmagogue like Balmaceda. As Nice-Presi-
dent he succeeded to Office when President
Deodoro with mutlnouS garrison behind HIM
was forced TO surrender to the fleet. He i'm
mediat"ly summoned the houses OF Congress
and adopted conservative measures for remov-
ing the grievances Of the states and fof I'M
proyinc the financial conditions. In the course
CT two years the Opposition in Congress passed
a measure aimed directly against him. II rem
dercd any one who had been elected Vice
President ineligible for election TO the Presi-
dcncy. He vetoed it on constitutional grounds,
precisely as his predecessor had vetoed series
Of measures directed against himself and his
Ministers. The insurrection could hardly have
been caused by that act More probably 1t has
arisen from the jcalouslcS OF the two arms OF
the service President Peixoto was soldier
and naturally had the army behind him. The
navy had put him in office and is now disci-
plining him for being a military President.
The most alarming feature of the situation
is the development of scparatlst tendencies IN
various States PcInambuco, Bahia and Rio
Grandc do Sui are reported 10 be in sympathy
with the revolt and TO be preparing to break
away from the Federal system. There have
been similar rumors in previous crises but with
the restoration of order in the national cap
ita the activity of States rights agitators has
ceased Capitalization the worst evil of
the imperal system. The States welcomed the
Republic because they weary Of being
ruled by carpet-bag governors sent out from
Rio to squeeze as much revenue possible ont
Of them If they have not received under tho
new institutions As large a measure OF rcSpon-
sible home rule as they expected, they have
been released from the domination Of central
lied administration. They have been exposed,
however, to the evils of faction politics and
whenever there is a crisis in national affairs
the feuds break out afreSh, and the provincial
politicians who are out Of Office ready upon
slight provocation to hold secession meetings
and to support any one like the nsurgcnt Ad
mira taking up arms against the National Gov
Crnment.
The civil war in Brazil will be of short dura-
ton if it be grounded solely upon issues Of
domestic politics or upon hostility to the Adj
ministration of President Pexoto. II the in
surgents are heading movement for the
restoration of the monarchy. they will speedily
be overthrow. The Republic is the only form
of government that is possible there