Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-08
DIP l O M ATTIC MiSTS
Which Are Said to Envelop the Policy To.
ward Brazil
Gossip About the Massing of Naval
Vessels at RiO-News Awaited
With Curiosity.


Brazilian affair is a well-kept secret. 1t
is known in a general way that it is
policy of strict neutrality and non-inter-
ference. and 1t is a patriotic assumption
that the administration will not counte-
nance or permit European interference in
the pending struggle in the interest of
either party. There have been no official
utterances on the subject, and most OF the
so-called instructions which have been
printed are mainly conjectural. The alleged
instructions embody a course Of action that
many persons believe to be for the best
interests of the United States. and may
in their general character be borne out by
the progress of events.
The almost daily use Of the cable be-
tween Rio and Washington during the
past ten days, and the long and detailed
character of the messages from Capt
Picking, commanding the naval fleet at
Rio coupled with the fact that the Presi-
dent is daily in conference with Secretaries
Gresham and Herbert in regard to the
condition Of affairs in Brazil, is generally
regarded as indicative of the near approach
of a crisis in the situation. The press DIS
patches from Brazil give no indications OF
any recent important changes in the con-
flict that would appear to justify the eX-
tensive official use of the cable during the
past week, SO the conclusion is almost
irresistible that the communications to and
from Capt. Picking relate more especially
to a future plan of action on the part OIL
the American government the first signs
of which will probably appear soon after
the arrival at Rio of Admiral Benham on
the flagship San Francisco. an event that
may be looked for today or tomorrow. Ad-
miral Benham will at once relieve Capt.
Picking of command Of the fleet, and the
policy Of the administration will be car
ried out under his personal supervision.
Strict Neutrality.
A long cipher message was sent to Capt.
Picking Saturday evening, in which it Is
said the President impressed on him the
Importance Of observing strict neutrality
in all Of his actions with the contending
parties in the Brazilian revolution and of
keeping aloof from any alliances with 9TH
er foreign naval and diplomatic representa-
tives at Rio.
The principal question before the Pres-
dent AMI his cabinet lately is said to re-
late to the powers of this country in bring
ing about a settlement of the Brazilian
troubles. 1t was the unanimous opinion
of the officials. SO it is said. that the proper
policy to be followed would not permit the
United States to engage IN any movement
looking to the forcing of an ending Of the
rebellion. The Monroe doctrine prevented
interference on the part of this country.
Just as it prohibited foreign Intervention in
the premises. That an Instruction of Sc
the commerce of the United States existed
In Brazil was unfortunate. but that fact did
not warrant this country to take steps
which would force settlement Of existing
difficulties, for by doing action which
would not be tolerated the part of a
foreign power would be necessary. 1t would
not do for this country to insist upon one
rule for foreigners and follow another it
self.
No Immediate Change.
Although the proposed course of action
may be manifested at Rio this week there
is an impression in naval circles that moth
ing will be done by Admiral Benham until
the big cruiser New York reaches Rio That
vessel left st. Lucia several days ago
and is not due at the Brazilian capital
for ten days yet. With the addition of the
Sen Francisco and New York the United
States will have a naval force at Rio SUI
perior to that Of any other power and will
be amply able to protect all its interests.
The other vessels at Rio are the Charles
ton, Newark and Detroit, and their REIN
forcement is undoubtedly due to the pur-
pose of the administration to take some
radical action in the premises. the success
full accomplishment of which requires a
strong naval force. The character of this
action may be disclosed in the develop
ments of the next few days. AS no in
formation is likely to be forthcoming at
this end of the line on the subject the
news must be awaited from the Brazilian
end.
More War ships for Brazil.
A cable message has been received by an
American house engaged in the manufac-
ture of ordnance material advising that the
Brazilian war ships. the iron-clad Riachuelo
and the cruiser Benjamin Constant, are to
leave Toulon at once for Brazil. This is
very important information, as bearing on
the situation in Brazil, as In the event OF
these vessels arriving before the engage
ment II would practically insure the sue
cess of Pexoto in a sea fight and If, on the
other hand, Mello were successful In sea
fight with the present squadron the Ria
chuelo and Benjamin Constant would be
more formidable enemies than the fleet now
in Brazilian waters. Several days ago
correspondent cabled from Rio that Peixoto
had ordered the vessels to leave for Brazil
and the cable received Saturday would tend
to confirm that information.