Evening journal., 1893-11-03
ABOUT THAT SEA DUEL.
The Cruiser New York Will Not
Interfere With 1t.
OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD BRAZIL.


Ing tho Possible Naval Duel on Sandy |
Hook-The Fleets of President Psixoto
aud the Insnrgent Mello.
WASHINGTON. Nov. "a new feature OF
the Brazilian situation arising In connec-
tion with the purchase by President Peix-
oto's agents Of American ships for use by
Brazil in her civil troubles has been brought
to the attention OF the state and navy de
partments. This has its basis in the state
ments that have been printed In the news
papers that the crack cruiser New York
now tsting out for sea at the New York
navy yard would act as a convoy TO the
American vessels purchased by Brazil as
far as the three mile limit of the Brazilian
shore, or TO some point near Brazilian ter
ritory, where they could 'e turned over TO
the government OF Brazil, the manifest
purpose being to thwart any attempts that
might be made by Admiral Mello, COM
manding the insurgent fleet, 20 destroy the
vessels before they reach Brazilian waters.
The Cruiser WIN Take No Part.
Still another aspect OF the case has been
suggested to the oflicials-viz, that the New
York is TO convoy the Brazilian fleet while
the latter displays the American flag un-
til some point near Brazil is reached, when
the vessels are to be turned over to the ex-
isting recogniz q government
A reporter interviewed a number Of Of
ficials on the subject They treat the mat
ter very lightly and scout the probability
or even the possibility Of any such events
taking place as those referred to. The
cardinal principle, it is asserted which this
| government wants TO have maintained and
adhered to is that Of noninterference with
the affairs Of Brazil.
To order the cruiser TO be used for either
OF the purposes stated would be in direct
contravention to this principle, and would
| be an announcement 10 the nations Of the
world that this republic had espoused the
cause OF Brazil and was arraigned on the
side Of the recognized government as
/ against the insurgent party, which IL has
not even recognized as belligerent. To al
| low the New York TO convoy the vessels TO
Brazil would be analogous It is said, to
one OF the United States cruisers now in
the harbor Of Rio de Janeiro acting as an
escort to an unarmed loyal Brazilian gov
ernment vessel which desired to pass one
OF the forts now in the hands Of the insur-
gents Supposing, however, the probabili-
ties OF such actions. the conveyed ships, 1t
is insisted, would not be any safer when
they reached Brazilian waters with the
cruiser than they would be without her, for
they would then be subject to attack just
the same as il they were on the open seas,
and no good result would be obtained
Arms May Be Sold. Though.
Naval officers say they cannot recall any
instances where action aud interference, AZ
this would be, has ever been resorted TO on
the part Of this government, and they pro.
nounce both reports to be simply imagina
tive and without any foundation Ia fact
The government must not, they insist, 10.
terfere in the domestic affairs OF Brazil OF
any other country further than 10 protect
its own citizens and see that they do not
suffer as a result Of internal difficulties.
IL must be borne in mind, however that
there is nothing 10 prevent the shipment OF
arms and ammunition TO Brazilian ports OF
to any other country by vessels flying the
American flag.
In fact, the government does not restrict
but rather encourages the sale Of arms and
ammunition TO foitign powers, not with
any desire, however. TO NEEDLE with theil
affairs or TO help any contending party
but merely for the purpose Of building W
American Industries.
But the line is emphatically drawn, and
the government VIII promptly Institute in
quiries should it be led to believe that any
vessel or vessels are being fitted out in thil
country for the use Of any insnrgent OF
revolutionary party. This was forcibly
demonstrated in the case Of the steamer
Itata, which was fitted out on the Pacifi,
coast with arms and ammunition for thl
insurgent party in Chilli two years ago
but which was promptly pursued and over
hauled by vessel of the United State
and her cargo forfeited.