The times., 1898-04-29
SALVADOR DE MEND0NCA.
Brazilian Minister Says His Countr.
LIS strictly Neutral.


Is strictly Neutral.
On the eve of his departure for his new
post as minister to Portugal. Salvador de
Mendonca, minister of Brazil at Wash
ington, last night gave the following in
terview to a representative of The Times.
In accordance with his request the inter
view is published in the form of questions
and answers:
Q.-Iiow do you feel toward the Gov
erfment, the press and the people of the
United States?
Al have lived in this country twenty
two years, nearly the third part of my
life. and l have always been well re-
ceived in my private and diplomatic
capacity. l believe that this is the best
answer 1 can give to that question.
Q.-How do the people of Brazil regard
their American neighbors in this repub
lie?
A--Always very well because they
know that we all belong to the one great
family which we call theAmerican family.
We are all republicans and We stand to-
gether. and when any threat is made
against our constitution we will stand
united, remembering the price which
our ancestors paid for the boon of con-
stitutional liberty.
Q.-What should be done to further &C.
ment the commercial relations of BraziI
and the United States?
A.-This question will be discussed. and
to certain extent, settled by my success
sor. | cannot answer more explicitly
(Which way do the sympathies OF
the people of Brazil lean in the war be-
tween the United States and Spain?
A.-Brazil. though great friend of the
United States remains strictly neutral
TO keep the peace with Spain
Q.-WilI Brazil, while maintaining neu-
trality in a diplomatic sense, lend her
moral support to the United States?
Any answer to the previous ques-
ton also answers this.
Q.-Why did Brazil part with the Anna
zonas, Abruell and the Nictheroy? Was
it because of the decline in Brazilian rev.
enues due to the reduction in the price
of coffee. or was it because of the fra
ternal feeling for the northern republic?
A.-Brazil remembered that in it's civil
war it was in want of warships and the
United States was the only country
which provided US with the ships which
helped our iron president, Florian Peis-
eto, to restore the peace 1 saw in
newspaper the false statement that We
sold the ships to the United States be-
cause We stood in dire need of money.
That is not right. We are a nation, and
not a business house, and a few million
dollars, more or less. makes not much
difference to US. When We sold to the
United States we We're not violating the
laws of neutrality because we did not
officially know that war was imminent.
Then We were replying to the courtesy of
the United States. This was the only
motive which actuated Brazil in parting
with her ships. The European powers
have also sold war material to the United
States.
Q.-Does Brazil welcome American in
vestors?
A.-Brazil is a great nation, and has a
small population. and she desires a vast
population, and the investments Of i'm
mense capital. For that reason she
welcomes American capitalists.
Q.-Has Spain been failure or sue
cess as a governing power in the western
world?
A-The law of neutrality compels me
to decline to give a specific reply to this
question. I have always been known as
a Republican in my country. but my Of
fetal position prevents me making re-
ply to this question as personally would
wish.
Q.-WfH you express an opinion as to
the general honesty of Spanish diplo-
macy?
Al cannot answer that
Q.-Ifow do you suppose the court of
Portugal will receive you as the represen-
tative of vast empire over which il has
lost control?
Al suppose very we'll because in 1923
Brazil was declared an independent mon
archy Since 1888. when the Brazilian peo-
pie dismissed Dom Pedro all our minis
ters have been well received.
Q.-Is the imperial sentiment extinct in
Brazil?
A-The monarchial party exists prin~
eipally in name. 1t has but slight in
fuence, and / think that even this is
waning.
Q.-Are republican institutions sue
cess with the Latin races?
Al do not see why they should not
succeed with the Latin races. as they
have succeeded with the Angto-SaX
races Nearly all America is republican.
Q-Do you leave this country with re-
gret?
Al have not words to express my
deep regret.