New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-26
NO WORD YET FROM BENHA- VI.
REPORTS OF ARBITRATION IN BRAZIL
ENTHUSIASTICALLY.
TT &c rt,o1ct,r HOWEVER. THAT SUCH a RE-
QUEST MAY BE MADE by DA CANA
SENIOR MENDONCA S OPINION.
TRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBuxE.]

TRY TELEGRAPH TIE TRiBrxEI
Washington jan 25.-Oficias at the stare
and NAVY dcoartments are still without news
confirming press kilograms from Rio Jaheio
sa wing that Peixoto and Da Cana nave re-
Quested Admiral Benham 10 act as arp'''a'"
or mediator in the present Brazilian uli'c"''''
with view to the speedy restoration OF peace
No advices Of any nature were received III ''e
denartments to-day from either Minister Thomp-
son or Admiral Benham Minister Thompson
has not been heard from for several days. anu
Admiral Benhan's last messages reacheo "eI-
rotary Herbert on Tuesday. The absence OF au-
vices from the diplomatic and naval representa-
tives Of this country at Rio leads oiicia'S 10
conclude that press reports are untrust"or'h!
in SO far as they intimate that any forinai aE'ee-
lnent has already been entered lh'o iooNi"S
to the ending oc the revolution by mediauoi'
Naval officials said again to-day mat Auiiii'ai
Renbam's orders would not permit him to enter
into negotiations of any KIND WIN ei'"e'
Pcxoto or Da CANA The instructions sent 10
CAPTAIN Picking some time ago, by winch
Admiral Bcnham became bound upon assuming
command of the naval forces at RIO dlSuhcu!
sanction the observance Of strict neutrantE am
non-interference with the domestic allalIS u
Brazil at this time. Under these orders ana
special directions accompanying them Adimrai
Benham cannot perform the duties oil a In .,,
ator of the differences between the BraZ'han
Government and the rebels ne Wo"iu ~,
be prevented from extending the good oihces
Of this country for such purpose no i''o .,
fication of earlier orders and directions 10 'h1
naval commander has been sent 10 Adhhiai
Benham. Up to this time no issue oil ne" III
strlctions to govern the reported ch&iSeu cUH-
ditOns at Rio is contemplated
Naval officers do not mean to be undcrs'oou
as SAYING that Admiral Benham may not eVentu-
ally be called upon to act the part OF mediator
between Peixoto and Da Cana. They only ny.
wish IL, convey the idea that no such step has
so far been taken. 1t was intimated at the De
pantinent to-day that mediation might prove 10
be both advisable and desirable. 1t would re-
suit in an early settlement OF difilcultles Whci
harass Brazil and injure foreign commerce with
that country-a result which the present war
does not promise tc bring about In me near
future 1t pointed out today that under
circumstances somewhat similar to those in eX-
istence in Brazil the good Offices OF the Ihl,ed
Stats have IN the bas' , been eneraI pecy Of
this country has been to mediate when invited
betwt en- belligerent forces in South America
whether hostilites We're being waged between
separate States or factions within state Inc
line has only been drawn when representatives.
Of other countries were designated TO act III
concert with the agents OF the United states.
Propositions looking to the action OF representa-
tives Of this country with those Of other nations
have been disapproved without hesitation. Inc
reason for such restricted policy Is obvious.
The report that the good Offices of the United
States Government are likely 10 be solicited 10
end the difficulties between the Brazilian Gov
eminent anu the insurgents wa Pi' '''''f
firmed by an opinion expressed by the Brazilian
Minister last evening Senior Mendonca sara
that he considered ii possible that the commander
OF the insurgent forces had made or would make
overtlires looking toward mediation between the
two parties by the Cntei States Admiral Ana
II such advances were made by Admiral Ia
Cana" said Senior MendOnca, III is possible
that the Brazilian Government might accept such
an ARRANGEMENT The insurgents by their own
confession are not able u hold on; much longer.
and fully six weeks ago their leader said. In a
nut1 icho al into which
doubt was authentic. that he would be glad II
some one would show an honorable way out OF
the entire matter ReinfOrcements when were
said TO be expected did not arriVe-at least l
have received no information Of their arrival
and the entrance Of 5000 men in ships into the
Bay of Rio would assuredly have been reported
to me and to the State Department here IL Is
well understood that the insurgents nave not ex-
pected to be able to hold out without assistance
longer than February ]. and that Is nearly here
II have seen" continued the Minister. the
word arbitration used in this connection that Is
Of course a misnOrner. Arbitration Is term
which would apply TO the settlement Of difficulties
between two governments or parties each IN fuil
power and standing. II is not to be supposed
that government representing 1S.OOOOOJ per
sons would consent to arbitration with 6UO rcDelS
In half dozen ships. Mediation Is the word, or
better good offices: for mediation expresses too
much Of equality to fit the occasion. In view Of
these facts consider il quite likely that Admiral
Da Cana may look to the good offices OF the
United States Admiral as honorable way out
Of his dilemma and regard II as quite possible
that the Brazilian Government might look with
favor on such proceeding although can assure
YOU most confidently that my Government has
not taken and would not take the initiative In this