The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-11-16
MARTIAL Law IN BRAZIL
Members of the House Involved
in the Conspiracy.
POLITICAL COMPLICATIONS
The Federal Republicans Split Into Two
Factions = Radicals and Conservat-
ives-A Hot Time Expected at
the Election of President.

Washington. Nov l5.-No official in
formation has been received here con-
firmatory of the report cabled from
Rio de Janeiro, via London TO the
effect that President Morales has is
sued a decree declaring martial law
for "A period of 20 days. Nevertheless
the report is credited in diplomatic
circles.
II there was evidence of the existence
of a political conspiracy in connection
with the recent attempt on the life of
the president of the Brazilian republic,
as the cable states. a suspension of
civil rights, IL is pointed out, would
be necessary Ia accomplish the arrest
of any members OF the house of depu-
ties or the senate who might be inn
plicated in the conspiracy. The exam
ination Of the Brazilian constitution
gives the members of congress inn
munity from arrest during the sessions,
except by the direction of the branch of
the legislature to which they may he
members. To procure such an order
of arrest from congress would be a
long process. and in addition would in
flame popular excitement by the pre-
cipitation of bitter and acrimonious
debate. This being the case If there
was reasonable ground for the belief
that any member uf congress were In
volved i'm the conspiracy. the only way
in which they could lie summarily dealt
with would be Ia declare martial law.
This would not only place i'm the hands
of The government the weaTons neces-
sary to bring the conspirators TO JUS
tice. but The very assumption OF this
exceptional authority would. in itself.
tend 10 crush the conspiracy and allay
the excitement That the conspiracy
is directly traceab BILE In the existing po-
ltical divisions in Brazil. il is said. $
further shown 10y the reported resig-
nation of the prcfect of police. who is
a prominent radical or iacobin.
The political complication In Brazil
dates back Ia last May. when the re-
publiCans i'm botn branches of congress
split In TWO factions. Previous 10 THAI
time there had been practically but one
party In Brazil. known as the federal
republicans. The old monarchists. or
reactionists. were not formidable and
made no pretess&sssr ~, the <Stxuity Of
a party. The line of cleavage in the
republican party separated the radicals
from the conservatives. The former.
who are known as the Jacobins. but
also cling 10 the name ri federal re-
Dubiicans desired Ia exclude all the
monarchists from any participating In
the government. Their slogan was
THE republic for republicans"
The conservatives. on the other hand
land they were in the majority In both
houses of oongressD, believed In concil-
iatinR the old monarchists, and under
the leadership of President Morales an
nounced the policy of a republican for
all Brazilians. Tnc Two wings of the
republican party also opposed eacn
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 named their re-
spective candidates for president and
vice president. who are 10 be chosen at
the general elections next March, There
MAS naturally much excitement, which
was intensified by the stirring debates
in congress. which was in session. These
debates were necessarily Of a very per-
sonal character and were marked by
sational attacks on the leaders Of
the respective sides. Campos Sales
governor of one of the Brazilian states.
was nominated for president by the
conservative republicans. and Lauros-
odre. senator from Para. by the radical
republicans. BY the constitution of
Brazil he president is ineligible for
reelection. SO that the failure To re-
nominate Morales expresses In no wise
dissatisfaction with his administration.