The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-06
RIO IN TURMOIL.
A Dagger Thrust Aimed at the
Brazilian President.
His Brother InterpOseS and Re-
ceIves the Blow.
BETHENCOURT KILLED
A Shot Fired by Another As
Sassin
Strikes the Minister of War in
the Head.
ASSAILANT CAPTURED
The Man Who Attempted the
Life of MOraes
Proves to be a Soldier in the
Brazilian Army.
UNDER MARTIAL LAW.
Every Soldier Under Arms For
Fear of Revolution.
Fanatics Are Thought to be
Responsible.
Seeking Revenge For the Death
of Their Leader.
Proves to be a Soldier in the
Brazilian Army.
UNDER MARTIAL LAW.
Every Soldier Under Arms For
Fear of Revolution.
Fanatics Are Thought to be
Responsible.
Seeking Revenge For the Death
of Their Leader.

New York, Nov. 6.-The Herald's cor
respondent in Rio Janeiro telegraphs:
An attempt has been made to assas-
sinate the president of Brazil, DR..
Prudente Jose de Moraes. The presi-
dents brother, an army officer, was
probably mortaIly wounded while
shielding the chief executive. General
Machado Bethencourt. minister of war.
who was one of the presidents party,
was shot and killed
Rio Janeiro is now under martial
law, every soldier having been ordered
to arms, as it is feared another revolu-
ton is at hand. The attempt to kill the
president and the killing of the minis
ter of war. it is believed, were the acts
of monarchial sympathizers. Another
theory is that they were the results of
the intense feeling aroused by the pro-
posed arbitration treaty with France.
Wild excitement prevails in the city.
Startling rumors are heard on all sides.
The belief is general in certain classes
that the followers of Antonio ConseI-
heiro, the leader of the fanatic move
ment, who was recently killed in Ca
nudos, have invaded Rio Janeiro to
strike their first blow for revenge. 1t
was the day set apart by President
Moraes and his cabinet to do honor to
Rear Admiral Barbosa, one of the con-
QuerOrS of COnselheirO'S forces in Ca
nudOS. Admiral BarbOsa was one of
the chiefs of the Brazilian troops, who.
several weeks ago, hacked and shot
down thousands of the followers of the
| fierce COnselheirO, who had gathered
his forces in CanudOS- 1t was believed
then that the crushing defeat to the IA
natfcs there and the death of Consel-
heiro had put an end to BraziIs mon
archial enemies.
Thousands of persons gathered to
see President Moraes and his cabinet
extend publicly the thanks of the re-
public to Rear Admiral Barbosa and
| his troops just returning by steamer
from CanudOs. Many members of con-
gress and persons high in military, ma
val and ecclesiastical circles were pres
ent.
The victorious troops were passing in
review before President MOraes, when
a soldier dashed. out of the naval ar
senal toward the presidents party,
drawing a dagger as he went.
Fearing his intention and unable to
stop the soldier. Col. Moraes, a brother
of the president, stepped between the
chief executive and his assailant, and
tried to ward off the dagger thrust In
this he was successful, but the colonel
received the dagger in his own body,
the soldier in frenzy striking several
times before he was seized by those Of
ficials around the president.
There were shouts of excitement from
the crowd and those in front, forced on
by those in the rear, began advancing.
The troops were thrown into a line in
front of the presidents party and tried
to force the crowd back.
While President Moraes and members
of his cabinet were bending over the
body of Col. MOraes, a shot was heard
and Gen. BethencOurt, the minister of
war, staggered and fell beside the
body of Col. MOraes, with a bullet in his
head
This added to the excitement of the
crowd, which was by this time wildly
surging to and fro, the troops using
their bayonets to keep it back, and
those behind pressing blindly forward.
Finally, fearing another attempt to kill
the president and members of his cab
met, more troops were called, and a
strong guard thrown around the Of
fetal party. Then Col Moraes and Gen.
Bethencourt were lifted and borne to
the palace. Col. Moraes was seriously
probably mortally, wounded.
Gen. BethencOurt died a few min
utes after he was taken into the pal
ace.
In the meantime, fearing a possible
attack on the palace, President Moraas
This the troops finally succeeded in do
ing, though a serious conflict at one
time seemed likely, owing to an at
tempt to lynch the presidents assail-
ant.
The news of the affair spread with
remarkable rapidity, and within ten
excitement. Rumors of revolution were
rife on all Sides and there seemed good
reason to fear an uprising. In order to
avoid a possibility of this, orders were
issued from the palace calling all the
troops in the city to arms and declaring
the city under martial law
The soldier who tried to kill President
Moraes is under arrest. He belongs to
the Tenth battalion. He has refused to
give any reason for his attempt on the