Befogged Fighting

From Buenos Aires, Capital of the Argentine, from Montevideo, Capital of Uruguay, and occasionally from Rio de Janeiro, Capital of Brazil, came news of the Sao Paulo revolution (TIME, July 14).

It now appears that the revolution is aimed against Senor Arturo Bernardes, President of Brazil, and in part against Carlos da Campo, Governor of the State of Sao Paulo, by certain political enemies in Rio de Janeiro, who managed to win to their side important people in the town of Sao Paulo, who in turn managed to disaffect the State militia. Colonel Joao Francisco, famed Rio Grande leader, was said to be heading the uprising.

The week's news was conspicuous for its lack of detail. This was mainly due to the strict censorship enforced by the Federal Government. No direct news from the rebel side was received.

The Federal Government consistently claimed that its troops were winning. First, that the rebels had been surrounded in their barracks, and the revolt was over. Second, that the Federals were bombarding Sao Paulo and its fall was considered imminent. Third, that the revolt had warranted the employment on the spot of the General Staff of the Army, who were working out the final plans for ousting the rebels. Fourth, that the Federal troops, outside Sao Paulo, were endeavoring to force the surrender of the rebels without causing damage to the town.

On the other hand, indirect news of the rebels showed that the revolution was much larger and more serious than the Brazilian Government had cared to make known. Upward of 400 civilians were killed in Sao Paulo, exclusive of the losses of Federal and rebel troops.