Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-21
THE INITIAL BATTLE.
F0nseca's Forces Loses the First Fight
Against the Rebels.
A. NAVAL ATTACK Is REPULSED.
The Belief Now Is That Rio, Grande Will
Win Its Independence.
REFUGEES WHO OPPOSE SECESSION

LONDON, Nov. 2o-The Exchange Tele-
graph Company has further advices from
Rio de Janeiro this afternoon, but no indi-
cation is given as to how the dispatches
escaped suppression by thecensorship. Ac-
cording to these dispatches the condition of
affairs throughout Brazil is rapidly growing
more critical Everywhere discomfort and
disafection with the present regime are be-
coming more pronounced. Instead of tran
guilty and acquiescence in Fonseca's as
sumption of dctatorial power, there is
vigorous opposition and increasing agita-
tion. In general terms, the political con-
dition of the country is described as closely,
bordering on anarchy.
In spite of the efforts of the Government
to reduce Rio Grande do Sui to obedience
by force of arms, or to win its allegiance by
concessions, it is now generally admitted at
Rio Janeiro that that State will adhere to
its attitude of opposition to the Dictator.
Prospects for the New Republic.
More than this, everybody whose opinion
is entitled to weight believes that the State
will be strong enough to maintain its inde-.
pendence, as the reports from there show
that the provisional Junta is well supplied
with funds, and is daily increasing the ef-
fective strength of its army.
Fonseca's death is likely at any moment
Though it is known that he has been ill,
this statement is not supposed to refer to
death by natural causes. 1t is taken to
mean that there is extreme danger of his
assassination or of sudden and powerful
uprising of the incensed opposition which
will overthrow the present regime and make
away with its head.
Other cablegrams this morning from Brazil
briefly announce that there has been a sharp
engagement on the Rio Grande, at the en-
trance to the lake leading up to Fort Allegro,
the capital of the ''New Republica do Sui,
where the vessels sent en- reconnaissance by
Marshal da Fonseca were defeated. They
found that the insurgents had most cleverly
fortified the approaches to the bar near Rio
Grande over which vessels drawing only 13
feet can pass, and that heavy lombard
ment was necessary to force that passage.
A Naval Attack Repulsed.
The two gunboats and the torpedo boats
sent to reconnoiter the place appear, ac-
cording to the message referred to, to have
been hit several times. One of the gunboats
is reported as severly damaged, and the
torpedo boat, which pushed pluckily to the
front and tried to get over the bar, is re-
ported to have been riddled BY gattling
guns. From this it is supposed that rapid
fire gun was brought to bear on her, and sue
ceeded in finding the bulls eye. The re-
ported engagement is not confirmed by sub
sequent cable messages received here.
A dispatch frem Buenos Ayres says:
There was an influx here yesterday of
refugees from Brazil. who had come by way
of Montevideo. These had an opportunity
of joining the movement in Rio Grande do
Sui, but declined to do so, because while
opposed to Fonseca and attached to the Re
public, they are also opposed to any division
of the Republic.
Many people are leaving Rio Janeiro. not
SO much on account of any present danger
as of what might happen in the event of
struggle that threatened the capital Fon-