Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-30
The State Department Not Inter-
ested in England's Action.
TEE HISTORY OF ITS OWNERSHIP
Brazilian People Excited Over This
and Former English Acts.
RoUBLE EXPEC E D

T,ha State repartmert Is taking little
interest in the course that is being taken
by England in seizing the Island Of Trini-
cad, off the coast Of Brazil. and claimed
by that government. This action by Great
Britain is locked upon as being IN Line
with many other acts OF the English IN
taking what they want on the face Of the
earth, and by threats to hold it, If they
can. No one has any idea that England
has any just claim to the island. or tina.
she has ever before pretended to have any
claim to 1t.
The Island of Trinidad has never been
inhabited, and is perhaps worthless, except
for the purpose that England proposes to
put it, the intention being to make it
cable station. The fact that there is no
harbor connected with 1t would render 1t
useless as coaling station, unless an Inn
mense sum OF money were expended on 1t.
Mr. J. C. Redman. brother-iu-law of Mill
lister Mendonca OF Brazil. and Portuguese
translator of the bureau OF American re-
publics, was called on by Star reporter
today, and interrogated in regard to the
character of the island in dispute. and the
history Of its ownership. Mr.. Redman re-
piled:
Belongs to Brasil.
THE Island of Trinidad Is five hundred
miles east of Rio de Janeiro. and is des-
olate mess of rocks. covered with stunted
vegetation. I remember reading few
years ago of an effort that was being made
| in New York city to get up colony to be
planted on this island. and which was pic
| tured as a paradise. The colonization
| scheme was a hoax. of course, and nothing
| ever came from 1t further than the talk in
| the newspapers There are records of but
| four Instances in which this island has
| been visited. and in one Of these attempts
| to land the sailors succeeded in getting
| ashore and in securing supply OF water.
| mo attention has ever been paid to the
island, but its possession by Brazil Is based
| on a treaty with Portugal. III which the
| latter country ceded to Brazil all the ISL
| aids on that coast. AS the Island of Trini-
| ded was a Portuguese possession, IT seems
| to be conclusive that it now belongs to
| Brazil
| could he made of the island. except that
| for which it is desired by Great Britain,
| which seeks to establish a cable station on
| it. The coast is rocky. and there Is not
| even an inlet along its line In which YES
| Sc! or boat might seek shelter. It would
| require an immense expenditure to make
| this mountain in the sea desirable as a
| coaling station. but if this were done, by the
| building of great breakwaters to shelter
| vessels, 1t would be an impregnable fort
| ress."
Serious Trouble May De Expected.
In speaking of the Island of Trinidad. q
prominent member of the diplomatic corps
said to a Star reporter today that mos,
serious trouble might be expected should
the English persist in their effort to take
possession of this territory.
THE Brazilian people, he said, ARE very
excitable. and there are instances in which
England has formerly endeavored to make
what were regarded unjust demands which
are recalled to fire the people on this occa
| sion. About 1872 an English vessel wenI
ashore on the Brazilian coast. and an in
demnity of about $4,000 was demanded b,
Great Britain. 1t was claimed that at the
| location Of the disaster there was no hgn
house when there should have been one
| The emperor could not see that the failur,
of his government to provide a light hous,
at a dangerous point made 1t liable for tn,
loss of the vessel. But the English sent
fleet before Rio, demanded the paymen
, of the indemnity by a threat that II woult
, lombard the city IL refusal were per
sisted in. There. was immense excitemen
and Indignation, but the money was paid
though few years after the English sen
an apology for the act and returned tn
amount OF the indemnity, Acknowledged;
themselves clearly in the wrong. These in
! stances terd to fire the people of Brazil
| on the present occasion. think it is quit
possible that England might retain tn
; island she covets. at least for the present
Rio is now very poorly defended, though
plan of defense has been prepared and il
| now under way of construction. The cit.
might be bombarded by English men-of
war without power to return the fire Blu
! IL England takes advantage of the defense
less condition Of the capital of Brazil
think the time Is not distant when Brazil
will retal,ate In some way that will b
sorely felt by British merchants, and q
t trade is the goddess of England, 1 thinl
! that eventually the island Will be save,
to Brazil if that country Is able to clearI,
prove it's ownership. which 1t claims it cal
. do"