Mr. Thompson to Mr. Gresham.
Metropolis, June 17, 1894. (Received July 14.)
Sir: Since the opening of Congress there have been no new demonstrations on the part of the revolutionists of any consequence. From the State of Rio Grande do Sul reports come of an engagement between the insurgent Gen. Gumacindo, who escaped with a small party at the time of the overthrow of the revolutionary movement in the south, and a detachment of Government troops. Gumacindo was routed and lied across the boundary into Uraguay, from whence it is expected he will continue his marauding expeditions.
The measures adopted by the Government since their victory, in the federal capital and elsewhere, have been very rigid. The state of siege has been continued and many persons have been thrust into prison while investigations into their conduct during the revolution were made. The object of the Government has been to discover and punish the parties who furnished the revolutionists funds to carry on their campaign, and nothing has been left undone to capture the guilty.
A number of foreigners have been arrested, among them two Americans, the Rev. Tilly, a Methodist missionary, and P. Slaughter, an employé of the Rio News. Mr. Tilly, after forty-eight hours’ confinement, was released without trial, but Mr. Slaughter is still held. The justification for the arrest of many of these foreigners is stated to be information contained in a recent issue of the New York Sun, which was republished here in the local papers.
Thus far the sessions of the National Senate have been devoted to organization and the canvassing of the presidential vote. The House of Deputies has likewise been engaged, and in the settlement of contested-election cases. Nothing of importance has been accomplished. On the 12th instant, Sr. José de Carlos, rising to a question of privilege, stated that his name had been coupled with that of Admiral Benham by a New York paper in regard to the effort of the latter to arbitrate the differences between the Government and the insurgents, and, as several errors had been made, he desired to correct them. I will send you his remarks as soon as they can be translated.
Rumors are constantly being circulated by opponents of the Government to the effect that another revolution is imminent, but I believe them to be entirely without foundation, not only because of the disastrous ending of the last, but also for the reason that President Peixoto has so well in hand and so well organized the army, and is so quick to suppress all demonstrations which may lead to trouble.
I have, etc.,