The sun., 1897-03-14
THE FANATICS IN BRAZIL.
THEIR EFFORrs TO DESTROY THE
FOUyG REPUBLIC.
In short Time Their Number Hn. Iscreased
from n small Hand 20 Moro Than IS, 900
The Army Has Not Yet Overcome Thou.

The Army Has Not Vet overcome Thsm.
The dispatches from Brazil describe the dis
turbanccs there as the work OF the fanatics"
who aro also spoken Of as the religious rcvolu-
tionists and the royallsts." II In difficult to
ascertain tho original cause Of the revolt, which
has become dangerous. but II seems to havo
originated from local dissatisfaction with tho
Government OF the republic. and with the Admin
istration Of President Prudcnte de Moraes Barros.
1t may be said that II Is confined to the province
OF Bahia, an important and populous province in
tho northeastern part Of the vast country; but
perhaps IL may bc associated In some way with
tho rebellious movement in the extreme south.
where troops were recently raised for the in
vasion OF Uruguay. by embroiling Brazil with
Uruguay. at the same time that there are out
breaks in the north, and probability OF fresh
troubles in the always discontented province Of
Sac Pauio, 1t may bo that there Is an oxpecta-
tion OF breaking up the republic In favor OF q
monarchy or military dictatorship.
As far back as November last thero were signs
OF approaching trouble. At Rio de Janoiro,
Bahia, and other cities, placards bearing rcvolu-
tionary inscriptions OF n monarchical character
were surroptitiousy posted up, and dynamite
bombs which had been concealed at several
places were discovered Considerable alarm was
aroused by these incidents. for the republic has
neNoT Dccn HTtDly cSLhDllhne0 NJ any t1ne since
II came into existence soven yoars ago, and there
have often been rumors of conspiracies among
tho officers OF the army and the navy, and of
plots among the former adhcrcnts Of the EN-.
peror, who died soon after he had been do
throned. A great part Of tho population be-
longing to tho Portuguese race had always
been unfriendly to republican institutions,
and desired strong Government like
that which had existed so long In Portugal.
There has been n widespread feeling OF uncer-
tainty. and widespread demand for political
power that would give greater sense OF safety
than has existed in recent years. The first
President, Fonsoca, was practically a dictator.
! and 30 was his successor. Peixoto; but tho pres
ent President desires to rulo under tho constitu-
tional limitations Of his Office; and hence his
administration is not in accordance with tho
| traditions OF Brazil, or with tho spirit OF tho
army. which has always been powerful there.
There was. therefore, cause for the uncasiness
which appeared after the threats had been made
| in November last. Before the end OF the year
the journals OF the capital were stirred up by the
reports OF the operations OF the socalled "fanat-
| les" In the province OF Bahia, and bodies OF
| troops were sent out against them. There q
good deal OF dcsultory fighting. in which ono
side or the other gained success. BY tho open
ing Of the, present year the condition OF af-
there was news that tho fsnatical bands, which
had had preyioIssy OPERATED only In the widest
/ ganized in good-sizcd bodies, had defeated
! the Government troops in several in.
stances, and had seized and sacked number OF
| pcrpctrating deeds OF the most shocking charac-
| ter, even with poisoning the wells from which
the inhabitants drew their water. The authori.
/ ties OF Rio gave orders for the sending OF
| additional regiments to the front. A pleasing
incident occurred at that time: 1t was AN offer
| shn fnIi fal.
| for the Government,
The excitement was increased early In Feb
I ruary. when the Brazilian commander In the
field sent word that the fanatics were strongly
! intrcnched at Canudos. prepared for conflict.
! The Government troops remained for time be-
/ hind the military works at the city OF Bahia
awaiting the orders TO sally out or TO defend
| their position As there were said to be twenty
religious bands under single leader. plan OF
campaign was drawn up for active service
! against them. The plan provided for the circum.
% dcterinned II ed attack in force. y Meanwhile il was
/ decrceh that all persons giving aid OF any kind
! TO the fanatics should be- shot. In short time
: squads OF rebels who had loft their principal
| stronghold. but the main bodies upon both sides
| remained apart each Of them gaining strength
by gathering In reinforcemcnts. II now ap.
| peared that the fanatics we're In possession OF
o. Inq sIa and h The
| OF Brazil was somewhat disturbed at Rio by the
rumor OF a plot there IN the interest OF the
| gained currency. Ii was alleged that Peruvian
| troops had menaced the western border OF
| Brazil. and that the Government OF Uruguay
had made a strong protest TO Brazil against dis
turbances stirred up In her territory by brazilian
by tho end OF February the outlook was un.
| promising for the Rio Government. 1t was do.
clared in dispatches from the insurrectionnry re-
had been increased to 5000. that they had pro.
cured rapid.nre guns, that they were fully sup
piled with both provisions and military material.
and that they would soon 80 on the march. In or.
der to be able to cope with them. the Government
army at the city OF Bahia was again strength
| cned. On the first Sunday OF this month battle
| was fought near there, and IL would seem
that the fanatics gained the day. for their ad
OF most OF their artillery. Martial law for Tho
| whole province OF Bahia wns proclaimed: new
;,fo,mimander ,f,in was Hppoinied large force Of ar
sued Tor the dispatch OF 5000 more troops to the
| scene OF action
the excitement at Rio de Janciro has been &c
great as 10 imperil the public, peace there; and
tha, the forces OF the fanatics had risen TO l5.
900 or more armed men has caused the people al
the capital 10 believe In tho possibility OF n revo
luton. The disorder there, however, has beer
OF but slight account. and 1t has been made
manifest that the great majority Of the
support II In the enforcement OF severe meas
ures against any party accused OF fayoring mon
law at Rio II will very surely 80 hard with such
men as may be suspected OF opposition pau
ihority., The presldsnt. Is fupctionary o
|
upon to support the republic with all the hgen
cies at his command. Tho Government forcei
now under arms In the province OF Bahia mus
number 10000 men.
The story that tho leader OF the insurrection
ary fanatics, whose name Is Antonio Conscl
heiro. has been supplied with large sums o
money by European spectators, who, for the
own purposes, desire the establishment OF
| monarchy In Brazil. may be fictitious. Tn,
President himself has expressed his disbelief II
IT, and the outbreak can be explained withou
giving any credit 10 It. The idea OF n free anC
constitutional Government IL novelty II
| Brazil, and there can be no surprise that II ha
| enemies in u country the history OF which hn
| been that OF royalty. and the population u
| which Is 20 mixed as that of the greatest OF tn
| republics Of south America.
| Tho province or state OF Bahia In which th
revolt has assumed formidable proportions, ha
| II population OF nearly 2,Oo0.0O0 souls an RrcI
| Of 200, 900 square miles, and Is borlcred on tn
| cast by the Atlantic Ocean. A considerable pro
portion OF the inhabitants belong To the African
race, and were held In slavery until the abolition
OF that institution. Many parts OF II are noun
| famous md largo regions Of II are yet coyerc,
| by the primcva forests, 80 that there ARE plcnt
| OF opportunities for irregular campaigning b.
| rebel bands like those now In arms. Phc princ'
pal products are sugar. tobacco, cotton, rice, ant
| coffee It's capital city Is named Bahia, and II !
| the second largest place In the Brazilian rcrut
| lie, having population of over 100000 Its b \,
| is one OF the finest in the world aud its CON
| 10 lar 1harn Ia hnt kali