Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-24
THE WAR IN BRAZIL.
The Good Offices of the United States
May Be Asked For.
BUT ARBITRATION is NOT THE WORD.
It Would be Peaceful Solution of
the Trouble.
SENIOR MENDONCA'S VIEWS.

Great interest is shown here in the latest
reports from Rio de Janeiro, indicating a
prospect of peaceful settlement of exist
Ing political differences. Very little cre-
dence is attached to the report that the dis
| pute is to be arbitrated by Admiral Ben
ham, commanding the U. S. fleet at the
instance of the insurgents Such a step on
their part would naturally be accepted by
| the Brazilian government as an abandon
! ment of the revolution or at least an ex-
| hibition of weakness that would almost in
Itself preclude arbitration on even terms
1t Is said that the government is confident
! OF It's ability to suppress the revolution and
| Is not at all disposed to temporize with its
| leaders.
Its large interests in Brazil make the
United States government desire a speedy
termination of the war and the efforts of
Admiral Benham in that direction will up
doubtedly receive encouragement from the
authorities at Washington. He has no
specific authority to arbitrate. but a joint
| not be disregarded
1t Is said that he Is expected to put an
END TO hostiiities If possible without any
olrect interference, and will undoubtedly
uioertake ,n TO mediate between the contend
ing parties with view to the settlement
OF their differences on a peaceful basis.
IL Is therefore probable that If serious over
lures nave been made in the direction of
ADMIRAL, rather than with either of the
complaints. His negotiations to that end
would be made to each side on the same
pasls IL Is hardly probable. however, that
Aomlral Benham would treat with the in
surgents. inasmuch as the United States
mas steadfastly declined to recognize them
as 6eliiserents or in any political capacity.
ADMIRAL Stanton was disciplined for mere
ly saluting the insurgent admiral and Al
miral Benham will naturally be very eau
tious In his dealings with the situation,
acknowledged to be getting more compli-
Gated every day.
What Minister Mendonca Says.
The report that the good offices of the Uni
ted States government are likely to he So
icited to end the difficulties between the
brazilian government and the insurgents
was partially confirmed by an opinion ex-
pressed by the Brazilian minister last even
ing.
Senior Mendonca said that he consid
cred 1t quite possible that the commander of
the insurgent forces had made or would
make overtures looking toward mediation
between the two parties by the United
States admiral, And If such advances were
made by Admiral Da Gama," said Senor
Mendonca, lit is possible that the Brazil
ian government might accept such an ar
rangement.
THE insurgents. by their own confession,
are not able to hold out much longer, and
fully six weeks ago their leader said in a
published interview, which / have no rea-
son to doubt was authentic. that he would
be glad If some one would point out an
honorable way out Of the entire matter.
Reinforcements which were said to be ex-
pected did not arrive-at least / have re-
cefved no information of their arrival-and
the entrance of 5000 men in ships into the
bay at Rio would assuredly have been re-
ported to me and to the State Department
here. 1t is well understood that the in
surgents have not expected to be able to
mold out without assistance longer than
February l, and that Is very nearly here
Il have seen, continued the minister
the word arbitration used IN this come c.
tlon; that is, of course, a miSnomer Arbi-
tration Is a term which would apply to the
settlement of difficulties between two gov
ernments or parties each in full power and
standing. 1t Is not to be supposed that a
government representing 1S.000."00 of per-
sons would consent to arbitration with 500
rebels in a half dozen ships 'Madiation' ia
the word or better. good Offices for me
1iation expresses too much of equality to
tit the occasion"
In view of these facts, 1 consider II
quite likely that Admiral Da Cana NAV
look to the good offices of the United States
ADMIRAL as an honorable way out of his
dilemma, and I regard it as quite possible
with Iavor on such proceeding, although
can assure you most confidently that nv
government has not taken and would NOT
take the initiative in this matter"
secretary Gresham, when questioned re-
gardlng the Pernambuco dispatch, said.
1ou can say that I have not been in
formed OF any such action"
officials of the Navy Department stated
that no advices had been received on the
subject. VIZ