On Friday week the mutineers of the Brazilian Navy at
Rio de Janeiro sent a message to the President expressing their sorrow for the revolt, and stating that they laid clown their arms in confidence that they would be amnestied and that their demands would be granted. The Chamber agreed to act on these suggestions, but the Senate not unnaturally hesitated—the men had killed three of their officers—and while the debate in the Senate was continuing the ships steamed out of the harbour. Later wireless messages to the ships announced that the Senate had agreed to the amnesty. On Saturday night the ships returned to the harbour, and officers took command again. It gives one an uncomfortable feeling to think that the submission of such mutineers can be got only by purchasing it. Brazil has two of the largest battle- ships in the world, and if Congress had refused to give way, the crews, knowing they need expect no mercy if they sur- rendered themselves to justice, might have decided to enjoy themselves in the time-honoured manner of mutineers while life lasted. Rio might have been shelled and the coast plundered, and one does not see what the end would have been if the whole Fleet had joined in the adventure.
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