The sun., 1897-08-16
South America.

The most interesting news reports that
we have recently received from the coun-
tries of South America refer to the Presi-
Dental campaigns In the republic of Ar
gentina and the republic of Venezuela
the civil wars in the republic of Brazil and
the republic of Uruguay; the ministerial
deadlock in the republic of Chilli the criti-
cal situation of affairs in the republic of
Ecuador, and the attempt to change the
monetary standard in the republic of Peru
In the contest for the Office of President
OF Argentina, the conservative candidate
is the soldier politician, Gen. RoCA, and
the radical candidate is the former Min
lister of Justice, DR.. BERMEJo. Each of
these men is sustained by strong body of
partisans, and both of them are well re-
garded as political leaders. So far as can
be judged at this time, the prospects of
success are greatly in favor of Gen. RoCA,
who would be called a stalwart in this
country. He has made proclamation of
the policy he designs to pursue in the event
of his election. The financial question Is fore
most In Argentina, and it is In respect to this
question that he speaks most clearly and
forcibly. He promises to exercise his
power for the maintenance of the public
credit, 80 that the Treasury may be re-
lieved from the embarrassmcnts that have
existed for so many years. so that the ma.
tional debt may be brought under better
control, so that foreign capital may be
safely invested, and so that the countrys
commercial interests may be promoted. He
dwells upon this question in way that is
likely to secure for him large measure OF
support from citizens who do not belong
to the conservative party; and it Is for this
| reason that the prospects for his success
have improved during the month that has
passed since his candidacy was proclaimed
at Buenos Ayres.
In Venezuela the two aspIrants for the
Office of President are Gen. ANDRADE and
Gen. HERNANDEZ. The political parties
existing in that country are not easily de.
scribed; they generally take the name of
Liberal, without attaching any distinctive
meaning to the word or associating it with
any general body of principles or any def
mite policy The influence of the existing
Administration Is that which most fire.
| quently controls elections, and it is largely
exercised at this time by President CREspo,
who is an accomplished and commanding
| politician. AS Gen. ANDRADE is in the
field as the official candidate" and as he
is both a" Liberal" and n f" Fusionist, there
is a probability that he will be Presi-
dent CREsPos successor and will follow in
| CREsPo's footsteps.
| OF the civil war in Brazil there has not
been any news of Importance since the de-
feat of the Governments army by the rebels
last month. The expeditionary force was
so badly broken up by the attacks upon it
at Canudos that it has been unable to re-
sumo operations, and is yet waiting for
those many battalions by which the Presi-
dent promised that 1t should be reinforced.
1t is hardly possible that a new campaign
against the country's disturbers can be un-
dertaken while the hot season lasts.
OF the civil war that has brought confu-
sion to Brazil's neighbor, Uruguay, during
the past half year, 1t is to be said that the
party in rebellion against the Government
has gained victories in the field and vic
tories in the recent negotiations for terms.
So hard pressed was the Government