Evening star., 1894-01-01
A LARGE NAVAL FORCE
Does Uncle Sam Contemplate Some New
Move in Brazil?
Massing of Forces in Those Waters
Which Side Will Win and Conn
plants of Our Minister.

cerning the administration brazilian poll
cy, and the only point upon which all agree
Is that 1t is intensely American in spirit
and to that extent is depended upon to on
set the disfavor that has followed the policy
Tor the restoration of the monarchy in Ha-
wall. The concentration of a large fleet of
naval vessels in the harbor Of Rio is a very
serious matter in the present depleted state
OF the national eXchequer and can be justi-
fled only on the ground of pure necessity.
There are already three ships at Rio, the
Newark, Charleston and Detroit and 1t is
not likely that the government would order
the New York and the San Francisco there
also unless 1t had some important action in
contemplation. This theory is strengthened
by the fact that the heavily armored moni-
tor Mfantonomoh is gradually working her
way to Brazil to enforce the secret purposes
Of the administration
Means Something.
A policy OF simple neutrality would not re-
quire any such demonstration as the admin
istration proposes to make In Brazil, and
the only natural conclusion Is that some
.hihg beyond that Is contemplated. 1t may
DC that II Is proposed to prevent any fur
'her interruption OF American commerce
with the ports of Brazil or 1t NAV mean
intrigue by which foreign governments are
to assist in the restoration of a monorchv
IN brazil, and has taken this step to cir
cumvent 1t. Regardless of the purpose. the
administration Is determined to make a
snow OF force at Rio.
One Theory.
According to an authority favorable IN
the administration additional sbins ore
being sent to Brazil because the President
recognizes the possibilities of American
interests being seriously jeopardized by
foreign interference in the interests of the
insurgents.
They do not actually expect such inter-
ference, but they desire to be amply pre-
pared TO protect our own commerce and to
enforce the Monroe doctrine If it should
become necessary. The show Of force will,
tne oHclals believe, be sufficient to stave
on foreign interference. In other words
they believe that the best way to pre-
vent international complications growing
out or the revolution in Brazil is to be pre-
pared to take firm stand against outside
interference.
The Instructions.
1t is said that Admiral Benham, the new
commander Of the South Atlantic station.
has been instructed to abstain from any
proceedings which shall be in the nature of
assistance of either party Should any of
the ships of the insurgents attempt to COM
NIT injuries or depredations upon the per-
sons or property of Americans Admiral
Benham is directed to interfere in any way
ne may deem necessary to prevent such
act.
In case of seizure damage to property
belonging to American citizens the admiral
is authorized to take forcibie measures for
recovery. The admiral is cautioned espe-
cially In regard to granting an asylum on
board the ships of his fleet to criminal
refugees The present administration has
nnVa haa tn
of harboring promiscuOusly refugees in the
revolutionary countries. and Admiral Ben
ham Is accordingly directed to take great
care In ascertaining the character of the
men who may seek an asylum on the
American men-of-war.
Varying Opinions.
There is a suspicion in the State Depart
ment that Mr.. Thompson, the American
minister to Brazil, has not been giving the
close attention to affairs in that country
that the situation demanded. Secretary
Gresham wired MIR. Thompson, so 1t is said,
for a statement as to how often he had
visited the city of Rio intimating very
plainly that he spent too much Of his time
in the pleasant suburb of Petropolis.
Minister Thompson cabed that he visits
the city whenever occasion requires and
stated that he would comply with the de-
partment's wishes in regard to making
more frequent trips there.
There are reasons for believing that the
State Department authorities are not alto
gether satisfied with the reports sent them
from time to time by Minister Thompson.
They place more dependence upon the ca
bles sent by CAPITA in Picking to the Navy
Department than they do upon the COM
munications received from their own repre-
sentative. There is a decided difference in
the character of the news obtained from
the two sources. Nearly all of Minister
Thompson's dispatches lately have indi-
Gated that the insurgents had the upper
hand while those sent by Captain Picking
have given rather encouraging news for
Peixoto.
In the Navy Department the authorities
are now speaking confidently Of Peixotos
ultimate success The State Department
officials have also recently shifted round
to this way of thinking, despite the fact
that Minister Thompson in his messages
takes rather gloomy view of Peixotos
ability to suppress the revolutionists.