The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-16
MARTIAL LAW IN BRAZIL.
No Confirmation Received, brit Ne
port Is Not Doubted.
PROBABLE REASONS FOR THE STEP.
n . Conspiracy Doea Exsss II Il
Undoubtedly = Dcep-Rooted Onc
with Many Manifestations.

Washington. November 15.---No official
information has been received here con-
| flrmatory Of the report cablcd from Rio do
Janeiro via London TO the effect that Prcsi-
dent Moraes has issued decree declaring
martial law for period Of thirty days.
Nevertheless the report accredited In dlplc-
matte circles. II there was evidence OF tho
| existence OF political conspiracy IN con-
nection with the recent attempt on the life
Of the president ar tho brazilian republic.
as the cable says. suspension Of civil
rights. II rs pointed out, would be neces-
sary to accomplish the arrest OF any mem-
bcrs OF the house Of deputies or tho senate
Who might be Implicated In the conspir-
ncv.
Tho constitution OF Brazil gives the
members OF cor grcss immunity from ar
rest during the sessions except by the d.
reet!ou Of tho brapch OF the legislature 10
which they may be assigned. To secure
such an order OF arrest from congress
would be long process and In addition
would irflaiue popular excitement by the
precipitation Of bitter and acrimonious do
bate. This being the case, II there was
reasonable ground for tho belief that any
members OF congrcs wore involved In the
conspiracy. the only way in which they
could be sumfnanly dealt win would hs
to declare martial law. This would not
only place In the hands OF the government
the weapons necessary TO bring the con-
splrators 10 Justice. but the very assunip-
ton OF this exceptional authority would in
itself tend TO crush the conspiracy aud al
lay the excitement.
That the conspiracy IL directly traceablo
to the existing political divisions In Brazil.
IL Ia said, Ia further eyinced by the re-
ported resignation OF the project OF police.
who Ia a prominent radical or Jacobin.
The present excitement in Brazil dates
back to last May whom the republicans In
both branches of congress split into two
factions Previous to that time there had
been practically but one party In Brazil,
known as the Federal republicans The Old
mouarchists. or reaotonists, We're not for
midable and made no pretensons TO the
dignity of party. Tho line OF cleavage
Ia the republican party separates tho radi-
calls from the conservatives. The former,
who are known as the JacobIns. bui also
cling TO tho name OF Federal republicans
desired to exclude all the old monarchists
from any participation IN the government
The slogan was "'rhe republic for repub-
leans
The conservatives. on tho other hand
land they were In the majority IN both
houecs of congretsl believed In conciia-
ton OF the old monarchists. aud, under the
leadership OF President Moraes. adopted the
policy of republic for all Brazilions.
The two wings OF the republican party
also opposed each other on tho financial
question. although the proclaimed purpose
OF each was 10 establish n retrcnchmont
policy which would balance the oxpendi-
lures and receipts OF the republic.
Last month the two parties nominated
their respective candidates for president
| and vice presidents who are TO be chosen
| at the general election next March, There
| was naturally much excitement, which was
| intensified by the stirring debates In con-
| grcss, which was then In sossion These
! debates were necessarily OF very personal
| character and were marked by sensational
attacks on she leaders OF the respective
| edes. Campos Sall.z, governor Of one oil
| thu Brazilian States was nominated Tor
president by the conservative republicans
| and Luro Sodre. senator from Para, OF the
| radical republicans by tho constitution OF
Brazil. she president is ineligible for re-
| election. NO that the failure 10 renomnnte
| MoTaes is powisc involved IN the dissatis-
| faction with his administration.