The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-10-25
EECLAND'S new CL9In
Wants To Despoil Brazil of
Part Of Her Territory.
The British Government VIII Not
Relinquish Possession of the ISL
and of Trinidad-Brazilian Ind ig.
nation Aroused - Minister Men.
donca Refuses To Talk.

Washington, Oct 23.-An interna-
tional complication which may be of
greater Importance to Great Britain than
her dispute with Venezuela, it is said
here, is likely to follow the declaration
that her majesty's government will not
relinquish possession of the island of
Trinidad which is situated about $50
miles from Rio Janeiro. Various claims
to the possession of this island, which is
an important strategic point, have been
advanced by Great Britain at different
times. One claim was of original dis
covery, but this being abundantly dis
proved, in favor Of the Portuguese, claim
is now made to the island as having
been acquired by Great Britain by pur-
chase from the claimants to grant dis
puted by Brazil. Great Britain is re-
ported to have arrived at a decision that
she will adhere to this, her latest claim.
NO further information regarding the
matter can be learned here.
Minister Mendonca Will Not Talk
The Brazilian minister, Senior Mem
donca, politely but firmly declines to dis
cuss 1t. He says he has no information
with reference to Great Britain's action
and refuses to discuss its effect either in
its relation to Brazil or to this country.
There is, however, presumptive proof
that the report is true, and if this be so
Great Britain's action will create a
greater excitement in Brazil than has
existed there for years.
Brazil's Claim UnassaiIable.
There is the strongest documentary
hat nrn nyil a.. -. 4 "
II unassailable. The island, so far
IS its physical aspect is concerned, is
barren and uninviting with sterile soil
Of which rocks and rocky formations are
the principal product. 1t was discovered
by the Portuguese as far back as 1910
and later, when Portugal acknowledged
the independence of Brazil, it fell to the
possession of the latter country. Eng
land has several times since practically
acknowledged Portugal's control of the
island and her seizure of the territory at
this late date will, it is believed, arouse
the deepest indignation of the Brazil
iAns.
Brazilian Indignation.
This conclusion is bassed on the utter.
ances of the Brazilian press several
months ago, when the report was first
circulated that England had taken pos
session of the island. If the newspaper,
Of Rio Janeiro and other important cit
les correctly report public sentiment, tn,
Brazilians were at that time willing tC
proceed to any extreme rather than thus
be despoiled of any part of their terri
tory. If public indignation was so deep
seated when England's course had mo-
been well defined, it is natural to as
sumo that it will be even more intense i
the fact shall be established that Grea
Britain has in an arbitrary manner con
verted to her own use part of Brazilian
soil.
This Country Not Involved.
Should any difficulty now arise be
tween the two countries it is not though
that the United States will become in
volved. Brazil, it is believed, is compe
tent to manage her own affairs withou
the assistance of this country, although
it is not unlikely that in such an even
she would have both the moral and ma
terial support of the other Latin-Ameri
can republics in the southern hemi
sphere.