The morning call., 1894-03-21
WAR ENDS IN BRAZIL.

The story of TIE naval civil war in Brazil.
which has happily been brought to prac-
tical close by the fight of Da Cana. Will
not occupy much SPACE in history. The
rebellion lasted just six months. On Sep
tember ), 1898. Admiral Mello. in CON-
mand Of the Brazilian feet at Rio, de-
msnded the resignation o. President
Peixoto, on the ground that he was not
satisfactory to the nation. No specific
charge was made against him, put he was
accused OF having vetoed certain measures
which bad been passed by Congress: he
was held accountable for the financial dis
tress; he was blamed for MOI having put
down the rebellion In Rio GraDde do Sui;
the rump of the Royaiist OF Imperiaist
party were, of course, opposed to him Oh
general priDciples. 1t was apparently
Meilo's idea that when the navy declared
against Peixoto the amy and the people
would follow suit, and that be would have
10 step down and out.
1t seems that he miscalculated Peixoto's
hold On popular confidence, and that be
underrated the eommon-sense of The Bra
lillian people. Instead of following the
Lead Of the navy. the army stood faithfully
by the Government and garrisoned the
forts in Rio narbor with battle in their
eve. Iu the same spirit the people showed
no disposition to mutiny; on the contrary
they furnished the President with arms
and supplies. No word of comfort reached
the insurgents from foreign ports.
Notwithstanding these edisappOintments,
NJ clio gathered his feet. which included
the formidable Aauidaban, Republi
Trajano and Tamandare. and proceeded to
lombard the city of Rio. The operation
was repeated on one or two subsequent
occasions. leading to some destruction OF
life and property. Admiral da CANA
Joined the insurgents and took the COM
mand. The coffee port of Santos was
blockaded and one Of the harbor forts went
over to the rebels. giving them a pied a
ERE in the vicinity of Rio. Thus far events
were favorable to the insurgents. But
Peixoto was not idle. he purchased two
powerful vessels in New York, which he
chTistened the NictheroY and the America,
and armed them with dynamite guns and
rapid firing cannon. To these lie added
an Ericsson torpedo-boat. With these, and
his own Tiradentes and Bahia, which had
refused to Jon the rebellion, he prepared
TO give battle to Da Gama's feet
But the most deadly blow administered
10 the insurgent movement was dealt by
Admiral Brnham. Da Cana insisted that
he had established an effective blockade of
Rio. Benham denied this, and notified the
rebels that American vessels, under the
protection OF his guns. would sail to the
wharves. and load and discharge cargo.
He showed that be meant what he said by
opening fire from the Detroit when Da
Cana attempted TO enforce his blockade.
This, when it became evident that no CO.
operation could be expected from the
shore, made the rebellion hopeless. Ad-
miral Mello thought so. for he took fight
in the Aquidaban, which ship, with the
Republica, steamed out to sea, leaving Da
Cana to his fate. The latter had already
met the President IN the ca bin of the San
Francisco. and the TWO combaianis,
Peixoto and Da Cana, then and there
agreed to run Moraes for President on
March l. The selection Of Moraes ap-
pears to have been regarded as compro-
mise in the nature Of a victory for both
sides. Da Cana was satisfied with any
one so long as be got rid of Peixoto, and
PeixOto was pleased to be succeeded by
his personal adherenf, and leading men,
Der of his party. Thus. when the election
took place and Moraes was unanimously
elected. hostilities ceased. 1t is said that
Da Cana left the conntry in a Portuguese
ship of war. The foreign feels all weighed
anchor, their officers beng satisfied that
their services would be needed no longer.
The mining districts in Rio Grande DO
Sui are still in insurrection. aud Moraes
may find it necessary 10 continue the cam
paigu in that part of the republic. But
fighting fills no mouths, and the miners
must, by this time, be on Bh RI commons
In any event, the disturbance in that part
of the country will not interfere with the
coffee plan tations or with the trade of Rio.
So far as the foreign world is concerned.
the war is at an end