The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-16
TROUBLES OF BRAZIL
PRESIDENTS PROBABLE REASON
FOR DEeLARING MARTIAL LAW.
Suspension of Civil Rights Necessary
ish Alleged COnspiratOrs.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15-No official in

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.-No official in
formation has been received here confirma-
tory Of the report cabed from Rio de ia
Metro, via London, to the effect that Presi-
dent Moraes has issued d decree declaring
martial law for a period of thirty days.
Nevertheless the report is credited in dip
lomatic circles. If there was evidence of
the existence of political conspiracy in
connection with the recent attempt on the
life of the President of the Brazilian re-
public, as the cable states, a suspension of
civil rights, it is pointed out, would be
necessary to accomplish the arrest of any
members of the House of Deputies or the
Senate who might be implicated in the con-
spiracy. The Constitution of Brazil gives
the members of Congress immunity from
arrest during the sessions, except by the
discretion of the branch OF the legislature
of which they may be members. To pro-
cure such an order of arrest from Congress
would be a long process, and, in addition,
inf1ame popular excitement by the precipi-
tation of bitter and acrimonious debate.
This being the case, if there was reason
able ground for the belief that any of the
radical members of Congress were involved
in the conspiracy, the only way in which
they could be summarily dealt with would
be to declare martlal law. 1HlS WOulu uOI
only place in the hands of the government
the weapons necessary to bring the con-
spirators to justice, but the very assump-
ton of this exceptional authority would,
in itself tend to crush the conspiracy and
allay the excitement That the conspiracy
is directly traceable to the existing politi-
cal divisions in Brazil, it is Said is further
evidenced by the reported resignation of the
project of police, who is a prominent Rad
ical, or Jacobin.
The political excitement in Brazil dates
back to last May, when, according to dis
patches printed in the Journal at that time.
the Republicans in both branches of Con-
gress split into two factions. Previous to
that time there had been practically but
one party in Brazil, known as the Federal
Republicans. The other, Monarchists, or
Reactionists, was not formidable and made
no pretensions to the dignity of party
The line of cleavage in the Republican par
ty separated the Radicals from the Con-
servatives. The former, who are known as
the Jacobins, but also cling to the name
of Federal Republicans, desired to exclude
all the old MonarchistS from any partici-
patton in the government Their slogan was
1.-The republic for Republicans" The Con-
servatves, on the other hand (and they
were in the majority in both houses of Con-
gress), believed in conciliating the old
Monarchists, and, under the leadership of
President Moraes, announced the policy OF
a republic for all BraZilianS. The two
wings of the Republican party also opposed
each other on the financial question, al
though the proclaimed purpose of each was
to establish a retrenchment policy which
would balance the expenditures and receipts
of the republic. Last month the two parties
nominated their respective candidates for
President and Vice President. who are to
be chosen at the general elections next
March. There was naturally much excite
ment which was intensified by the stirring
debates in Congress- which was in session.
These debates were necessarily of a very
personal character and We're marked by
sensational attacks on the leaders of the
respective sides. Campos Sales, Governor
of one of the Brazilian states, was nomi-
mated for President by the Conservative
Republicans, and Lauro Sodre, senator
from Para, by the Radical Republicans. BY
the constitution of Brazil the President is
ineligible for reelection, so that the failure
to renominate President MoTaes in no wise
involved dissatisfaction with his admins
tratiOn.