The record-union., 1897-11-06
MARTIAL LAW AT RIO JANElRO..
ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE
BRAZIL'S PRESIDENT.
His Brother Fatally Wounded and
the Minister Of War Shot
and Killed.

correspondent in Rio de Janeiro tele-
graphs that an attempt this (F'riday)
afternoon was made to asssassinate the
President of Brazil, DR.. Prudente Jose
De Moraes~ The Presidents brother
an army officer, was probably mortaily
ecutive. General Machado Betancourt
Minister Of War, who was of the Pres
idents party, was shot and killed.
Rio de Janeiro is now under martial
law, every soldier having been ordered
to arms, and it is believed that another
revolution is at hand.
The attempt to kill the President and
the killing of the Minister of War, 1t Is
believed, is the work of the monarchical
sympathizers. Another theory is that
they were the results of the intense
feeling aroused by the proposed arbi-
tration treaty with France.
Wild excitement prevails in this city
Startling rumors are heard on all sides.
The belief is general in certain classes
that the followers Of Conselheiro, the
leader of the fanatical movement, who
was recently killed in Canudos, have
invaded Rio de Janeiro to strike their
first blow for revenge.
1t was the day set apart by Presi-
dent Moraes and his Cabinet to do hon.
| or to Rear-Admiral Barbosa, one of
the conquerors of Conselheiro's forces
in Canudos. 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
there and the death of Conselheiro had
put an end to Brazil's monarchical en-
emies.
| Thousands of persons gathered 20
extend publicly the thanks of the re-
public to Rear-A dmira1 Barbosa and
his troops just returning on the steam
er from Canudos. Many members of
Congress and persons high in naval,
military and ecclesiastical circles were
present, as We're also the diplomatic
representatives of several foreign coun-
tries.
The victorious troops were passing
in review before President Moraes,
when soldier dashed out of the naval
arsenal toward the Presidents party,
drawing a dagger as he went. Fear
ing his intention, and unable to stop
the soldier, Colonel Moraes, brother of
the President, stepped between the ex
ecutive and his assailant and tried to
ward off the dagger thrust. In this he
was successful, but the Colonel re-
ceived the dagger in his body, the SOL
dier in frenzy striking several times be-
fore he was seized by those in the rear
began advancing. The troops were
thrown into a line in front of the Pres
| ident's party and tried to force the
crowd back
| While President Moraes and members
of his Cabinet were bending over the
| body of Colonel Moraes, a shot was
heard, and General Betancourt, the
Minister Of War, staggered and fell be-
side the body of Colonel Moraes, with
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
Cabinet the troops were called and a
strong guard was formed around the
official party. Then Colonel Moraes and
! General Betancourt were lifted and
| borne to the palace.
| Colonel Moraes is probably mortally
wounded. General Betancourt died a
few minutes after he was taken into
| the palace.