The New York herald., 1869-02-13
BRAZIL.
Admiral Davis at Buen0s Ayres-fs.iss and
Masternan Under Arrest-New Positions Of
LOpez-The Fire in the Custom House.

Admiral Davis at Buenos Ayres-is.iss and
AIastern,an Under Arrest-New Positions Of
Lopez-The Fire in the Custom House.
Rio JANEIRO Dec. %, 1903.
The steamship City OF Brussels leaves this morn
ing for Europe, and take the opportunity to give
few items OF news gathered since the departure Of
the New York packet of the 26th.
Some further details and development have been
had from the River Plate. Admiral Davis, with the
gunboats had arrived at Buenps Ayres witn am
assured, Porter c. Bliss and Masterman on board,
under arrest Admiral Davis s reported to be sats-
fed with the explanations made by Lopez and to be
convinced that the Paraguayan President has been
snned against. The story is that Lopez produced
irreragabie evidence that Bliss AMI Masterman had
tried to promote revolution against him; that ex-
Minister Washburn was actively interested IN get
ting 1t up; that he received money from Cayias, and
that Lopez holds letters proving ex.MinIster Wash
burns implication and reception OF money from
Caxias.
General Mcmahon remained IN Paraguay and had
gone to Luque where Lopez's seat OF government
has been since the forcing Of Humata. Luque is
situated ab6ut a dozen miles from Asuncon on the
Asuncion and villa Rica railroad, and Is said to be
very strong place and one which VIII give the al
lies great trouble to capture Its 10 Luque and not
TO Cerro Leon, that Lopez has gone with whatever
troops are not garrsonlng AngoStara, and Luque
Will be his buwarK In advance OF Cerro Leon, which
is further IN the interior.
Angostura still resisted at the last accounts and IN
fact Caxas had not brought hssarmy to;its siege
Ii was necessary to reOrganize his troops after the
desperate fighting on the 1lth. 1t was not probable
anything serious viii be attempted against Ang o5-
tura for ten days tnasmnch as the army had not only
to reorganize but to obtain ammunition and other
supplies before IL could the offensive again,
and Angostura is said TO be garrisoned BY 5000 Par
aguayans well nunitioned and found, who are pre-
pared to make another Humanita defence Of IT.
The losses or the Brazilian army III the ngnt OF
December IL were so great tnat little more than one
half OF the troops brought from the Chaco by Caxas
remained lit for immediate service Osorio the Sec
ond In command, shot through the jaw, break
ing the lower one but was getting on well. The Bra
LILLIAN forces were at one tme sd thoroughly beaten
that Caxias in despair advanced with his staf into
the fire, and was probably saved only by the devo-
ton Of the officers, who gathered around him and
kept the balls from him. The day was retrieved by
a body OF troops under the Baron de Triumpho,
who forced the passage OF the stream, at dSLance
from the main forces, and By making iank vttack
enabled the attacking column III front 70 establish
itself on the other side and develop.
The letters from Buenos Ayres attach much weight
to the fact Or varella having started up the Parana
within few hours after Admiral Davis return 10
Buenos Ayres and 1t Is said that in consequence OF
Admiral DAVIS communications that memoer OF the
Argentine government had gone to see the Argen-
| tine General Geliy Obes at Palmas
Another supposed mission has created specula-
ton. transport suddenly ordered or from
Rio for Rio Grande do Sui, with dispatches, 1t s
confdentiay said, the Visconde de Porto Allegro,
requesting him to assume either the CHIEF or second
command OF the forces in coI1palgn. OsorlO being
temporarily, at least, disabled, Marshal Argolo and
another general wounded, and various officers OF
eminence killed, there Is scarcity OF men posses
ing the confidence OF the army as commanders OF
the belief that Porto Allegro is called on reenter
into the campaign.
on SUNDAY N, morning sDoat sGam SICK O'CLOCK
was given to the fire engine station OF the
l city, but 1t was two hours before the engines
from 1t arrived in consequence OF the need 10 send
a course OF dispatches from each officer 10 his supe
rior to ask orders. Even when some ire engines
had arrived, and large number OF persons were
assembled TO AID In putting out the fire all were
kept iuie for considerable time because none of the
officials would take the responsibility OF bursting
4 nj
of the keys was not there 20 open the
doors, and The Custom House regulation forbade
any one 10 enter unless the senior guardian OF the
Keys was present to open the doors and permit
entrance" so the crowd and the engines waited
outside until the senior guardian OF the Keys could
be hunted up. wherever he might happen 10 be, and
meantime the fire waited for nobody; and as even
were anywhere but where they ought TO have been
the connagratioD grew from small matter 10
threatening terrible catastrophe should II reach
Finally the curses and appeals OF the parties own
ing goods IN the Custom House prevailed over the
Official fear OF responsibility. door burst by
order Of foreign merchant and the captain Of the
Port smashed ia another. Engines from tue foreign
men-oI-war were on hand ana work began in earn
est. AS for the fire engines belonging to the Custom
House, they were out OF order and useless. steam
fire engine came down at ten O'Clock, but It also was
out OF order and cou.d not be got 60 duty before
noon. The Inspector OF the Custom House was ut
Petropoiis for the day. He was teleerapned for;
use the telegraph was also out OF order
The ire commenced IN the store containing the
fancy and valuable goods lanaed week cefore from
the french packet, which were totally destroyed,
along with the goods in two other burned up sheds.
However, by the and given from all SIDES the fire
was kept confined 10 the three stores. by y.
NJ. the danger OF Its spreading was virtually over.
The loss is supposed to amount 10 about s2500o0,
part OF whlcn was insured III various english and
Brazilian insurance Offices. The total amount OF
goods ut present ~ the Custom House Is estimated
at S400a.000 "a s5.000,b0o.
The Emperor came down about eleven o'clock.
Some persons set to work TO cheer him, but nared
mp and told them tnat it no holiday festival they
were az, but day OF national misfortune, aud there
was something else to be done than 70 be yivaing
IKE n lot OF children. He was also hand all the
next day, rather IN tile way OF the work Of the
time, IL must be admitted. but the intention was
good, and that u much.
The Dire has temporarily stopped business and no
exchange has been opened By the banAs. Gold has
rallied 10 i50 and soyereigns are l3ejO1.
CONfNECTIClIT