Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-11-16

President MOraes Had No Other Means
of Protecting the Gov
ernment.

Washington. Nov 15.-No official infor-
nation has been received here cunfirmatory
o. the report cabled from Rio Janeiro, Viii
Lemon. to the effect tina; President Moraes
has issued "A decree declaring martial law
for period of thirty days. Nevertheless,
tie report is credited i'll diplomatic circles.
IL there was evidence OF the existence of
4 political conspiracy IN connection with
the recent attempt on the life OF the preSi-
cent OF the Brazilian republic, as the cabl"
states. Suspension of civil rights. IL Is
pointed out. would be necessary to accom-
pliSh the arrest of any members of the
house OF deputies the senate who might
b. implicated in the conspiracy. The con-
stltu,ion of Brazil gives the members of
sessions. except by the direction of the
branch of the legislature for which they
may be members. To procure such an or
del OF arrest from congress would be Il
long process. and in addition. would IN
flame popular excitement 10y the preClplta-
tim of bitter and acrimonious debate
This being the case. if there was reasona-
ble ground for the belief that any of the
Radical members of congress were involved
in the conspiracy. the only way in which
they could be sUmmarily dealt with would
he to declare martial law. This would not
only place in the hands of the government
the weapons necessary to bring the conspir.
atCrs to Justice but the very assumption of
this exceptional authority would. in itself.
tend to crush the conspiracy and allay the
excitement.
That the conspiracy is directly traceable
to the existing political divisions in Brazil.
it is said. is further evidenced by the re-
ported resignation of the prefect of police,
who is prominent Radical or Jacobin.
The political excitement in Brazil dates
back to last May. when the Republicans
in both branches of congress spit IN two
factions. Previous to that time there had
been practically hut one party in Brazil.
known the Federal Republicans. The
old monarchistS. or Reacticnists. were not
dignity of party. The line of cleavage in
the Republican party separated the Radi-
Gals from the Conservatives. The former.
who are known as the Jacobins. but also
cling to the name of Federal Republicans.
desired to exclude all the old mOnarchistS
from any participation in the government
Their slogan was ''the republic for Re-
publicans."
Inc Conservatives. on the other hand
t'nd they Were in the majority in both
hCl ses of congress-. believed in conciliatinS
the cid monarChists. and under the leader
shin of President Moraes announced the
policy of republic for all BraZiians. The
two wings of the Republican party also
opposed each other on the financial uues-
each was to establish retrenchment pol
icy which would balance the expenditures
and receipts of the republic.
Last month the two parties nominated
their respective candidates for president
and vice president who are to be chosen
AT the general election next March. There
rtelsified by the stirring debates in con-
gress. which was in session. These de-
bates We're necessarily of Il very personal
character. and were marked by sensational
attacks on the leaders of the respective
sides. CampoS Sales, governor of one of
the brazilian states. was nominated for
president by the Conservative Republic
ans and I4auro Sodre. senator from Para
by the Radical Republicans. BY the con-
stitution of Brazil the president is ineligible
for reelection. so that the failure to re-
nominate President Moraes IN no wise III
vo'ved dissatisfaction with his administra-
tion.