San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-06
BLOODY BRAZIL.
Desperate Attempt To As
Sinate Morales.
BETANC0URT. MINISTER OF WAR
IS SHOT AND THE PRESI-
DENTS BROTHER STABBED
Deed Done By A Soldier Of The
ilIenth BataliOn-Grew Out OF
The AnnihilatiOn OF The Mo-
narthial Instruction In
CanuiOS.

New York, Nov. 6.-The Herald's
correspondent in Rio Janelro tele-
graphs:
An attempt has been made to assas-
sinate the president of Brazil, DIR. Pru-
dente Jose de Moraes. The presidents
brother, an army officer, was probably
mortally wounded while shielding the
chief executive. Gen Machado Betan-
court minister of war, who was of the
presidents party, was shot and killed
Rio Janeiro is now under martial
law, 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, ii is believed were
the acts of monarchial sympathizers.
Another theory is that they were the
rsults of 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 certain circles
that the followers of Antonio Consel-
heiro, the leader of the fanatical move
ment, who was recently killed in Can
udos, have invaded Rio Janeiro to
strike their first blow fer 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 Can
udos. 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 belieV-
ed then that the crushing defeat to the
fanatics there and the death of COnsel-
heiro had put an end to BraZil's mon
archial enemies.
Thousands of persons gathered to see
President Moraes and his cabinet ex-
tend publicly the thanks of the repub-
lie to Rear Admiral Barbosa and his
troops, just returning by steamer from
Canudos. Many members of Congress
and persons high in military and naval
and ecclesiastical circles were present
as were also the diplomatic represent
tatives of several foreign countries.
The victorious troops were passing
in review before President Moraes,
when the soldier dashed out of the ma
val arsenal toward the presidents par
ty. drawing a dagger as he went
Fearing his intention and unable to
stop the soldier, Col Moraes, 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 coll
onel received the dagger in his own
body, the soldier in frenzy striking
several times before he was seized by
those officials around the president.
There We're 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 mem
bers of his cabinet were bending over
the body of Col. Moraes a shot was
heard and Gen. BetancOurt, the minis
ter 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 1t 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
strong guard thrown around the OH
cial party. Col Moraes and Gen. Be
tancourt were lifted and borne 10 the
palace. Col. MoraeS was seriously
and probably fatally wounded. Gen.
Retancourt died a few minutes after
he was taken into the palace.
In the meantime. fearing a possible
attack on the palace, President Moraes
ordered that the crowd be dispersed.
This the troops finally succeeded in
doing, though a serious conflict at one
time seemed likely, owing to an at
tempt to lynch the presidents assai- |
liant. -.
The news Of the affair spread with |
remarkable rapidity and within ten |
minutes was in fever Of excitement;
Rumors of revolution were rife on all
sides and there seemed good reason |
10 fear an uprising. In order to avoid
a possibility of trouble, orders We're
issued from the palace calling all the
troops in the city to arms and declar-
ng the city under martial law.
The soldier who tried to kill Presi-
lent Moraes is under arrest. He be-
ongs to the Tenth battalion. He has
refused to give any reason for his at
Tempt on the president life. The per-
son who shot Gen. Betancourt is I'M
known. No one knows whence came
he fatal bullet.
The citizens generally attribute the