Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-11-06
THE BRAZIL ASSASSINATION.


New York, Nov. 6.-The Herald's cor
respondent in Rio Janlero telegraphs
that an attempt has been made to as
sassinate the president OF Brazil. DR..
Prudente Josede Mormes. The presi-
dents brother, an army officer, was
probably mortally wounded. while
shielding the chief executive.
Gen. Maehado Betancourt, 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 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 monarchial sympathizors
Another theory is that they We're the
results OF the intense 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 GER
tain classes that the followers of An
tonic Conseleiro, the leader of the IA
natical movement, who was recently
killed In Canudos, have invaded Rio
1t was the day set apart by President
Mormes ana his cabinet to do honor to
Rear Admiral Barbosa, one of the
conquerors of Conselheiro'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 Conselheiro who had gathered
his forces in Canudos. 1t was believed
then that the crushing defeat of the ia
natics there and the death of Con-
seheiro had put an end to Brazil 5
monarchial enemies.
Thousands OF persons gathered to see
President Morpes and his cabinet eN-
tend publicly the thanks of the repub-
lie to Rear Admiral Barbosa and his
troops Just returning on the steamer
from Canudos. Many members of con-
gress and persons high In naval. mill
tary and ecclesiastical circles were
present, as were also the diplomatic
representatives OF several foreign
countries.
The victorious troops were passing In
review before President Mormes when
a soldier dashed out Of the naval
arsenal toward the presidents party,
drawing n dagger as he went. Fear
ing his intention and unable to stop
the soldier. Col. Mormes. brother of
the president, stepped between the eX-
ecutive and his assailant and tried 70
ward off the dagger thrust. In this
he was successful, but the colonel re-
celved the dagger in his own body, the
soldier In frenzy striking several times
before he was seized 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
crown back.
While President Mormes and mem
bers of his cabinet were bending over
the body of Col. Mormes Il shot was
heard. and Gen. Betancourt, the min
lister OF war staggered and fell beside
the body of Col. Mormes, with bull
let in his head.
This added to the excitement of the
crowd. which was by this time Wild
ly surging to and fro, the troops USING
their bayonets to keep 1t back
and those behind pressing blindly
forward, Finally fearing Ing an
other attempt to XII the pres
ident and members of his cabinet
more troops were called and a strong
guard was formed around the official
party. Then Col. Mormes and Gen
Betancourt were lifted and borne tC
the palace. Col. Mormes was serious.
ly probably mOrtally wounded.
Gen. Betancourt died a few minutes
after he was taken into the palace. IN
the meantime. fearing an attack on the
palace, Col Mormes ordered that the
crowd be finally dispersed. This tht
troops finally succeeded In doing
though serious conflict ut one timt
seemed likely, owing TO an attempt &c
lynch the presidents assailant.
The news Of the affair spread with
remarkable rapidty and within ter
minutes the city was In fever of ex-
element. 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 al
troops in the city to arms and declar-
ing the city under martial law.
The soldier who tried to kill Presi.
dent Mormes rs under arrest. He be.
longs to the Tenth battalion. He has
refused to give any renson for his at
tempt. The person who shot Betan-
court IL unknown. No one knows
whence came the fatal bullet
The citizens generally attribute the
deeds to revenge on the part of Con-
selheiro's followers,
Some well Informed men have
brought up the theory that the at
tempt on the presidents life grew on
Of the proposed arbitration treaty with
France on the Amapa question. This
treaty the president vigorously upheld
despite tremendous opposition in con.
gress and among the people.