There is a very strong wish in the hearts of many Brazilians for the return of the monarchy, and numbers of influential people are joining Conselhiero, who is gaining ground every day.
The revolution has indeed gained such a strong hold in Brazil that it will be a very difficult task to put it down.
* * * * *
The Greater Republic of Central America does not seem to be having a very pleasant time of it.
If you remember, it was only recognized by our Government in December last, and already there is trouble.
On page 220 of Vol. I we told you that the Greater Republic of Central America was formed by the union of the three republics of Honduras, San Salvador, and Nicaragua.
Now there is a revolution in Honduras; one of those toy revolutions we spoke about in No. 22 of the great Round world.
In all the small South American Republics, revolution and rebellion is as the breath of life to the people.
If a general gets popular with his soldiers he at once plots to overthrow the government, and with the help of the army become president himself.
Every man who is either clever or ambitious gets up a toy revolution to depose somebody, and take his place.
The present revolution appears to be of the usual kind.
The President has become unpopular, and it is said that one of the former presidents, Dr. Soto, thinks he would like to have another term of office, and so he has incited the people to revolt.
A new government has been formed to take charge of affairs until they become more settled, and things seem to be shaping themselves to suit the doctor’s wishes.
San Salvador and Guatemala, though by their new ties they are bound to assist their sister republic, have declined to interfere, and it looks as if the life of the Greater Republic of Central America would not be nearly as long as its name.
* * * * *
On page 134 of Vol. I. we spoke about the unfortunate Russians who are exiled to Siberia, and of the thousands of miles they are forced to march across the continent before they reach their place of punishment.
It has just been reported that the Czar has issued a decree that persons who are exiled to Siberia shall, from this time forth, be carried by train to the convict settlements.
In the days when the poor unfortunates had to make the journey on foot it took ninety days of steady marching to reach the journey’s end, and women and children as well as men took their places in the long, sad procession that wound its way across the dreary steppes of Russia.
This decree must have caused much rejoicing among the Russian people, and if the Czar continues to rule his people so mercifully and kindly, we may all live to see the day when there will be no more Nihilism or hatred between the ruler and the ruled in Russia, and when it will no longer be necessary to send anybody to Siberia.