It seemed early in the week that the dreary civil
war raging in the harbour of Rio might he brought to a close by the interference of the American Admiral Benham. Three American captains of traders applied to him to escort them up to the wharves in order to discharge cargo, to which he consented, whereupon the insurgent Admiral da Gama, on January 29th, threatened to open Ere. Admiral Benham retorted in language so vehement that it is not reported, and Admiral da Gama proposed to capitulate to foreign and superior force. His officers, however, dissuaded him, and the contest goes on. It seems clear that the insurgents in the harbour of Rio are near the end of their resources, but even their surrender would not terminate the war. Admiral di Mello has gone south, and in three provinces at least the Central Government is believed to have been defeated, and to have lost all authority. Marshal Peixoto may reconquer them, but it can only be by a long and exhausting war, and the probability is that in a slow, prosaic, South American way Brazil will crumble to pieces.
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