Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-16
TO BOMBARD RIO AGAIN
The Revolving Squadron Preparing for an
Attack.
News From Minister Thompson-Dip
ment VIII BE Overthrow,

by the revolutionary feet, according to a.
dispatch received by Secretary Gresham
from Minister Thompson. The dispatch is
dated yesterday at Petropolis. four miles
below Rio. and reads as follows:
Have been advised that merchant yes-
sells have been ordered far up the bay by
revolving squadron, apparently to lombard
Rio"
Mail advices from the gunboat Yorktown
sent from Rio on August % reached the
Navy Department this morning. The
letters contain no mention of a disturbed
feeling. The commander Of the Yorktown
reports that on the date of mailing three
men-of-war were in the harbor, the Brazil
ian flagship Trajano. the Portuguese gun
boat Mendallo and H NJ. s. Beagle.
The Navy Department is undecided about
the cruiser Detroit, now In Hampton Roads
awaiting her final trial. and she may be
ordered to Nicaragua instead OF to Rio.
Her exact duty will be outlined after the
completion of the trial
The Braxilian Revolt.
Owing to the telegraphic embargo estab-
nshed at Rio de Janeiro several weeks ago
orly the most meaGer details have SO far
reached here as to the causes leading up TO
the existing serious revolution in Brazil
The specific act on the part Of President
ent situation is said to have been his veto
of an act passed by congress prohi5iting a
vice president from afterward filling the
office of president. Such a statute would
manifestly be aimei at Peixoto, and even
II his veto of IL was constitutional as his
repr esentatives in Europe have publicly de-
clared, the passage Of the act by congress
indicates hostility to him. On the other
hand. 1t is asserted by the Brazilian le-
cation in London that congress voted to de-
clare martial law in the capital, thus sup
porting the president in an essential point,
and siding with him against the navy.
The hurried steps taken by the Navy De-
partment to concentrate warships in Ira
ziiian waters show a full appreciation Of the
gravity of the situation. While the naval
revolt is all we hear OF thus far, IL can
hardly have been undertaken without the
promise or prospect of some support among
the people. and there is no reason for sup
posing that the navy, as a service, has a
special grievance against Peixoto, the cause
Of the revolt being political. not profess
sional.
The Protection of Foreign Interests.
The absence Of British. French ami Ger
man warships at Rio explains in a meas
ure the special efforts OF Secretary Herbert
to have American warships at the scene Of
trouble for the necessary protection Of for
eign interests. especially those of the United
States. Thats he has been only partially
SdSScSSAui - thC fCSuii VI ahtOWdf4
cumstances.
The United States will be well represent
ed at the seat Of action In a few days. how
ever by the cruiser Charleston. and II Is
q safe assumption that none of its interests
will be neglected. The Charleston was in
tercepted at Montevideo on its way to the
Pacific, and was ordered back to Rio with
all possible dispatch. The flagship Newark
will sail from Norfolk in a few days for
the same port, and will make the trip un-
der full steam.
Owing to the great strength of the revo.
lutionists the impression in diplomatic cir.
cles in this city is generally that the gov
ernment will eventually be overthrown.
This is particularly true among army and
navy officers familiar with the country and
the present state of political feeling. In
the first place. only one OF the four forts
guarding Rio harbor is equipped with any,
thing like modern armament while in the
next place credence is placed IN the report
that the garrisons of these forts are in
sympathy with the revolutionists. BY law
Of congress-. passed in December 1891 the
active force OF the army is limited to 1000
men, with their officers; 600 cadets of the
military school and 400 OF the school Of ar
tillery. the whole standing army amounting
to 2i.sH. which number may be doubled un-
der extraordinary circumstances.
The Effect on the Coffee Market.
This country will speedily feel the effec,
Of the Brazilian revolution by a sharp ad.
vance in the price OF coffee A rise of a
cent a pound is already reported and a
steady advance may be expected until there
is a cessation OF hostilities. The effect OF
the revolution on the coffee trade may be
realized when II is stated that Brazil fur.
nishes about one-half of the supply of Eu.
rope and fve-eighths OF the supply Of the
United States. For instance to every
pound Of coffee consumed in England eigh,
are used I'm this country. The present ad.
vance IN price, however. is due TO specula.
ton. There is yet in New York the coffee
center OF this country, a fair supply, bu,
the big houses are making capital out OF
the Brazilian trouble to boost the prices
They are not anxious to sell, hoping in this
manner to affect the market
Senor Salvador de Mendonca the Brazil.
ian minister to the United States. has ne.
turned to this city from Keene valley, N
Y, where he spent the summer with his
son and daughter. who returned with him.
1t Is said his return was hastened by the
necessity for looking after the interests OF
his government In the present troublous
situation.