THE REVOLUTION IN BRAZIL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 38, 10 January 1890, Page 15

THE REVOLUTION IN BRAZIL.

Tmb London correspondent of the Melbourne Argvs, under date November 22, wrote:—

The vast territory of Brazil is no longer an empire, but has been turned into a republic. Bij Janeiro, the capital, was the scene of a bloodless revolnti >n on tbe 14h inst., and in a few hours the Experor and bis family were on their way to Europe, while a Republican Government commenced the administration of affairs. It ii r ported that tbe minister of Marines was shot at and woun led, but there are no other cases of bloodshed. No direct news from Bio has reached London. Tbe Brazilian Minister at Vienna, has, however, communicated to the Presp an account of the rising, which is generally regarded as trustworthy. It seems that the Liberal Cabinet formed in June last entrusted the oommand of tbe garrison of the capital, consisting of about 5000 men, to General Doedoe deFouseca. Fired by the example of General Boulanger, the commandant immediately conceived the idea of seising the reigns of power. He held nearly every night receptions of officers of the garrison, commiserated thsm on the miserable scale of their pay, and promised them an increase if the monarchy were overturned, and the consequent abolition of the civil list made the expenditure possible. The officers, carried away by these powerful arguments, were in the habit of making Republican speeches at Fonseca'i table, and on their return to tbe barracks, would assure the men that no arrears of pay could be made good so long as the money was wanted for the Imperial family. All thtswas no secret, and the Premier advised the Emperor to issue an order raising the pay of the officers quartered in the capital. Dom Pedro consented to this, on condition, however, that the garrison was changed. The Premier, knowing that it was out of his power to do anything of tbe kind, allowed the suggestion to drop, and then the matter rested until the 10th November. On that evening General Fonseca distributed bodies of troops in every part of the city, in readiness for any resistance to the revolution, and when Bio Janeiro awoke it was to listen to the proclamation of the united states of Brazil, by the garrison and by the dictator. The Emperor and the Inperial family were at Petropolis at the time tbat General Fons.ca, accompanied by Professor Constant and a depu ation of officers, proceeded on tbe morning of tbe 15th to inform Dom Pedro of his dethronement, and of the proclamation of the Republic. The Emperor, who was supported by the Empress, the Crown Princess, her husband, and tbeir three sons, received the deputation with absolute composure. General Fonseca, who acted as spokesman, said that Brasil was advanced and civilised enough to dispense with a monarchical form of government, and tbat the country, while grateful to the Emperor for his many useful and patriotic services, was firmly resolved for the future to recognise none but a republican system of administration.

Dom Pedro made a dignified reply, saying that he ref ased to abdicate, but would yield to force. One hour wai allowed tbe Imperial family to prepare for their departure. Carriages escorted by soldiers were in wai' in? to take them from the cast la to the outer harbour, where a Brazilian man-of-war was tnders earn, the captain being instructed to put to sea as soon asth- Emperor and family had ejabarked, and then only to open sealed orders containing the route. MtruThe general opinion is that the Emperor was by no means advtrse to a change in the Government, and it is even hinted that he was aware of ihe coming revolution. He always tried to live more like a private gentleman than a king, and with the pension that has been granted him he will be able to spend tba rest of his life in studious leisure. It is believed in many quarters that it was this quiet retiring life of his which led to tbe revolution. The Emperor's daughter and heiress is married to an Orleanist prince.the Comte D'Ku; this nobleman made himself so nnpopular that the Republican party determined to prevent aay possibility of his wife becoming sovereign. The Piiucess' clericalism also added to her unpopularity. According to other opinions tbe chief cause of the revolution was the Slave Emancipation Act which was passed last year, when tbe Emperor was in Europe. The Princess Imperial was acting as Regent, and gave the royal assent to this measure, which at one stroke of the pen deprived the wealthy classes of Brazil of £80,000,000 worth of property. From that date the landowners threw in their lot with the Uepublicans, and hence the present revolution.