The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-25
GREAT BRITAIN AND BRAZIL.

Recent dispatches show the possibility,
If not the probability, of other complica-
tons in the near future growing out of
British aggression and the application of
the Monroe doctrine. With the Vene-
zuelan boundary question still unsettled
and an open dispute in Honduras. there
are foreshadowings of trouble with Brazil
concerning the island of Trinidad This
island, which must not be confounded
with the British West India island of
Trinidad, lies in the south Atlantic ocean
about 700 miles east and a little to the
south of Rio de Janeiro. 1t is small,
barren spot, of little value except as a
marine cable station. 1t was always sup
posed to belong to Brazil, but in jan
uary, 1895, the officers of a British ship
visited the island and formally annexed
it to Queen victoria's dominions. APP
pointing a governor and a medical Off
Ger. The British claim is fortified by an
alleged discovery of the island by an
English vessel nearly 200 years ago. while
Brazil draws her title from Portugal;
that government coded the island to
Brazil when he latter became a separate
empire. England wants it as an anchor
present all cables between South Amer
lea and Europe have their western shore
ends at Pernambuco. on the mainland
thus giving Brazil control of all direct
telegraphic communication between
Europe and South America. Trinidad
would be a very desirable station for a
marine cable to countries south of Brazil,
and that is the use to which England
would put it.
A United States naval officer who is
intrusted with the duty of keeping ac-
count of the submarine cables of the
world makes a statement which throws
some light on the inside history Of this
Britain is in her policy Of encircling the
earth. He says:
An English company holds an exclusive
the concession having about twenty years
more to run. Sir john Fender, the cable
king, several years ago determined TO Sc
great systems and the Pacific coast of
South America, which is lucrative field
for telegraphic enterprise. To that end he
South American countries for concessions.
being successful in almost every country
except Brazil, where he was antagonized
by the English company, which under its
exclusive right operates all the lines from
the Amazon to the Rio Plata.
He asked Brazil for the use of the island
of Trinidad as an intermediate station;
but the English company in Brazil opposed
this, and defeated IL through the very fact
that Trinidad was Brazilian and therefore
included In its own absolute concession
Fender however
with his negotiations with other countries
until sufficient time had elapsed for an
English war ship to go .ecretly TO Trini-
Pender's employees. The English flag was
raised the cable company's operatives
were left in possession, and the war ship
OF Trinidad to-day are Sir John Pender's
men taken there by the English govern
ment.
The occupation and annexation of the
island caused intense excitement in
Brazil and an outbreak of war feeling.
Both branches of the Brazilian Congress
unanimously passed resolutions protest
ing against the government allowing the
British to continue their occupation of
the island, and In July last the police
had to guard the British consulates in
the two principal cities OF Brazil against
attack Although she excitement has
abated. the matter Is still unsettled and
the relations between the governments
are strained. Brazil has thus far refused
to submit the question to arbitration on
the ground that the justice OF her claim
is too apparent The Brazilian view Is
that 1t would be as reasonable to ask
the United States to arbitrate the Dos