Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-11-11
A KNIFE FOR MORAES.
Attempted Assassination of the Presi-
dent of Brazil,

dent of Brazil.
New York, Nov. S.-The iIerald's
correspondent in Rio Janeiro telegraphs
that an attempt has been made to assas-
sinate the president of Brazil DR..
Prudente Jose de Moraes. The pres-
dents brother, an army officer, was
probably MORALLY wounded while
shielding the chief executive. General
Betancourt, minister of war, who was
one of the presidents party, was shot
and killed.
RIO Janeiro is now under martial
Jaw, every soldier having been ordered
to arms, and it is feared another revo-
luton is at hand.
The attempt to kill the president,
and the killing of the minister of war,
it is believed, is the work of monarchial
sympathizers. Another rumor is that
they We're the result of the feeling
aroused by the proposed 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 Conseil-
heiro, the leader of the fanatical move
ment, who was recently killed in
Canudos. have invaded Rio to strike
their first blow for revenge.
1t was the day set apart by President
Moraes and his cabinet to do honor to
RrearAdmiral Barbosa, one of the con-
querors of Conseilheiro's friends 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
Conseilheiro, who had gathered his
forces in Canudos.
1t was believed then that the crush
ing defeat Of the fanatics there and the
death of Conseilheiro had put an end to
Brazil's monarchial enemies.
Thousands of persons gathered to see
President Moraes and his cabinet extend
publicly the thanks of the republic to
Barbosa and his troops, just returning
on the steamer Canudos. Many mem
bers of congress and persons high in
naval, military and ecclesiastical circles
were present, as We're also the diplo-
matte representatives of several foreign
countries.
The victorious troops We're passing in
review before President Moraes, when
a soldier dashed out Of the naval arsenal
toward the presidents party, drawing a
dagger as he went.
Fearing his intention, and unable to
stop the soldier, Colonel Moraes, brother
of the president, stepped between the
executive and his assaiant, and tried
to ward off the dagger thrust. In this
he was successful, but the colonel re-
ceived the dagger in his own body, the
soldier in his frenzy striking several
times before he was seized by those in
the rear. The troops were thrown into
a line in front OF the presidents party
and tried to force the crowd back.
While President Moraes and the
members of his cabinet We're bending
over the body OF Colonel Moraes, a shot
was heard and General Betancourt, the
minister of war, staggered and fell be-
hind the body of Colonel 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 forward.
Finally, fearing another attempt to
kill the president and the members of
his cabinet, more troops were called,
and strong guard was formed around
the official party. Then Colonel
Moraes and General Bctancourt We're
lifted and borne to the palace. Colonel
Moraes was seriously, probably mortally
wounded.
General Betancourt died few min
utes after he was taken into the palace.
In the meantime fearing an attack on
the palace, President Moraes ordered
that the crowd be dispersed, and the
troops finally succeeded in doing so,
though serious conflict at one time
seemed imminent, owing to an attempt
to lynch the p esident's assailant.
The news of the affair spread with
remarkable rapidity, and within 10
minutes the city was in a fever of ex-
element. Rumors of a revolution were
rife on all sides, and there seemed good
reason to fear an uprising.
In order to avoid a possibility of this,
orders We're 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 Presi-
dent Moraes is under arrest. He be-
longs to the Tenth battalion. He re-
fused to give any reason for his attempt.
The person who shot General Betan-
court is unknown. No one knows
whence came the fatal bullet.
The citizens generally attribute the
deed to revenge on the part of Conseil-
heiros followers. Some well-informed
men have brought up the theory that
the attempt on the presidents life grew
out of the proposed arbitration treaty
with France on the Ampapo question.
This treaty the president vigorously
upheld, despite tremendous opposition
in congress and among the people.
Big. and Yet 1t Is Sound.
Iono Creek Or Nov S-There is