Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-03
REVOLT IN BRAZIL.
TIE TROUBLE DISCUSSED BY BISHOP
PETERKIN, OF WEST VIRGINIA.
The Army People Couldn't Shoot Well
Prominent Americans Semitic Mis-
sion Work There.

Bishop Peterkin. of West Virginia, who
10 IN the city on a visit to his mother,
and who will this afternoon deliver dis
course at st. James church on Mission
Work In Brazh," talks most interestingly
~ his recent visit 20 that country and OF
the troubles hiatt are being experienced
IN Rio Grande do Sui. The Bishop mas
inst returned from the seat OF war.
having sailed from Rio Janeiro on Octo-
Der 18th, reaching here last Saturday
after spending week In England.
While talking Brazilian matters 10
Disnatch reporter last evening Bishop
Peterkin said that up 10 the time OF his
danarttIre there had been no revolt IN
ne regular sense OF the word. as the
onlv partles at war were the army and
the navy. The masses Of the people were
not affected. The army had sent the
Emperor away and had pretty much
taken possession OF the country. AS an
illustration of the great strength that the
soldiers had acquired. Bishop Peterkin
eaid that out OF the twcnty-one states
of Brazil twenty had army officers for
presidents.
WANTED CIVIL AUTHORITY.
one OF the main points that Admiral
Nello attempted to make was that all
civil posts should be filled by civilians.
AS far as the West Virginia divine could
toll the Admiral had the general sympa-
thv of the people. 1t was also the pre-
vailing impression that If Admiral Mello
could have landed few troops In Rio
and have made good showing he would
have had the masses at his back. Ihe
trouble had dragged It's length along be-
cause the Admiral could not get ashore.
IL. a,taH fha rrfnW =
in possession Of the land.
The Bishop said that the country was
not now as prosperous as 1t was under
the EmperOr's reign, and many people
regretted this part of the trouble, but had
given no thought TO interference in
the premises. Finances had made ire
mendous decline. Milries, the standard
of value, which was formerly worth fifty
cents, Is now only worth twenty-five cents.
CAUSE OF THE REVOLT.
Bishop Peterkin said that the chief
cause Of the revolt was that the present
president was the vicepresident when
the former president was deposed, ana
that instead of ordering an election TO
FIJI the vacancy he permitted himself TO
hold the office without any election. This
was believed by Mello and the people in
general TO be unconstitutional.
Inc country NNouNl Dt II prosperous 'AtNs
declared the Bishop. It's resources are
abundant. It's income is principally de-
rived from duties on exports, such as
coffee and rubber. which are enormous.
There was a general impression, the cler-
ical gentleman assured the scribe, that
the affairs OF the government were beine
conducted for what could be made out Of
them for those in charge.
While talking about the army,
Bishop Peterkin remarked that #
was composed Of only about 10000 men.
all the privates of which were negroes.
The officers were white persons. He dli
not consider those OF them he saw expert
shots. He did not come in contact with
any Of the naval people.
SAW PROMINENT AMERICANS.
While at Rio Janelro Bishop Peterkin
dined with Rev. Mr.. Tucker. the agent OF
the American Bible Publication Society.
whose wife Is the daughter Of Bishop
Granbery. Of Virginia. Bishop Peterkin
saw where shell had gone through Mr..
fuckers Office, destroying a number OF
books. but hurting no one. Mr.. Tucker
was anxious for the Bishop 10 preach
for him while at Rio, but, owing 10
Bishop Peterkin's engagements at the
time. he could not do 80. He reports
Mr.. Tucker as being highly esteemed in
Brazil, and says that he Is doing a good
work. The Bishop also had the pleasure
OF seeing Mr.. Townes. the Consul, and
Mr.. Thompson. the American Minister.
both OF whom were exceedingly kind TO
him. lie was much pleased with Rio.
which Is n beautiful city of 10000 inhabi-
tants 1t has the most superb harbor
the Bishop has ever seen. Its population
is made up Of foreigners. There are very
few Americans there The ruling element
IS the Portuguese. The people are easy
ging but not given to heavy dissipation.
They are not overpossessed with patri-