Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-19
TALKING OF PEACE.
1t May Be That Admiral Benham
May Act as Arbitrator.
MR. MENDONCA HAS HEARD NOTHING.
Peace Between the Wsring Fac
tons Desired.
THE SITUATION AT RIO,

Nothing new or important in the situa-
ton at Rio Janeiro has come to the State
Department or the Navy Department within
the past few days. There has apparently
been no change in the condition OF affairs.
although some decisive happening or in
cident is looked for yer soon The talk
OF arbitration in Rio has not been brought
to the attention of the State Department by
Minister Thompson.
1t was expected that the arrival Of the
cruiser New York at Rio thus completing
tne full quota Of the United States ves-
seis assigned to duty there, would be fol-
lowed by the development of some definite
poncy concerning the revolution, but 80
lar Rear Admiral Benham has done nothing
TO II dicate a change in the manner of con-
ouct observed toward the opposing fac
uons. Ii is learned at the Navy Department
that the expected policy will not develop for
the reason that Admiral Benham has in
structions similar to those given command
ing officers sent to protect American inter-
ests In country where hostilities are I'm
progress. He is merely to protect the life
ana property of United States citizens and
TO see that this government does not get
involved in the trouble between the Pcixoto
and Mello forces.
hfster hendonca's tfewa.
Minister Mendonca Of Brazil was asked
today if he had any information regarding
the report from Rio. published this morn
ing, that an arbitration of the differences
between Piexoto and the insurgents had
peen agreed upon. Il have heard nothing
at an on the subject" he answered "A
caolegram from President Piexoto was re-
ceived by me Cay before yesterday. con-
tanning "A firrraa st -
ieat OF the revolutionists in the south.
whereby they were prevented from loining
Mello on his ships. and being conveyed Inv
mem TO Rio 10 reinforce Da Cana But
no mint was given of such a proposition as
was printed this morning.
4 should think II quite improbable" con-
tnued the minister, that Just at this time
When everything seems TO be settling in
favor of the government. thar an srl,s,rs-
tion OF differences should be had. The only
arbitration L can conceive possible Is ons
thst proceeds upon the basis of preserving
the materials OF the rebels the ships which
ttey carried of and gives the leaders on
the rebellion over TO punishment.
Mello's Movement.
There is another story I'm todav.s ala
patches" said Senior Mendonca. (which 4
cannot credit. IL comes from an unreliable
source-Lisbon-and is to the effect that
Admiral Mello, on the Aouidaban. visited
the convict island. Fernando Noronha, en-
listed many Of the released prisoner. and
took all the available provisions. except
enought TO feed for five days those remain-
ing on the island.
For two reasons that seem improbable.
First Mello has not been north of Rio Ia
nero with the Aouidaban. Second, II the
hao gone so far north as the convict island
which lies on Pernambuco, he would have
at least dropped into the harbor there 10
take look at the Nictheroy and America
ar rChr 50
they were making for that port The
Aquideban would easily have been equal 70
the occasion, and Mello could not have re-
sisted the temptation to seek a meeting had
he been in the vicinity of the Government
vessels"
The minister said the defeats Of the in
surgents at 1ta5ahy and Bage were of the
greatest importance to both the government
ana the revolutionists. for they marked the
failure of the land forces of the rebels 70
reach Mello on the coast, a fact proved by
the return of his ship 10 Rio without REIN
forcements, and disposed of the possibility
OF a movement against Rio from the inte-
rior. which had been SO frequently advoe
tised.
Admiral Benham's Part.
The latest report from Rio de Janeiro, -
the effect that the insurgents show a dispo-
siion to submit their grievances against
the PeiNoto government to arbitration, tends
TO confirm the theory advanced by The Star
several days ago that Admiral Benham was
sent TO Rio with a large fleet for the special
purpose Of bringing the war to a close -
soon as possible 1t is said at the Navy
Department that he was vested with no
authority to arbitrate the differences be-
tween the contending parties. but there
would be no special objection TO his ac-
cepting a joint invitation TO act In that
capacity.
His instructions were general in their
character and comprehendei simply that he
should conserve and protect the interests
OF the United States in every respect and
as those interests will be best subserved by
the establishment of peace. IL is not unrea-
sonable TO assume that he will exert his best
offices TO securing that result II IL can be
done without aiding or interfering In any
way with the plans Of either party to the
struggle.