The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-21
AFICHT At RIO LOOKED FOR
Two More War Vessels Apt TO Be Sent
to the Scene.

ing OF the Port-The Property OF
American Merchants on Shore En-
dangered by the Bombardment.
Washington. Dec 20---That the cruiser
New York viii go TO Rio de Janeiro in the
event that it is necessary to strengthen
the United States feet in Brazil, has
been decided by Secretary Herbert No
orders have been sent TO her commander,
Capt. J. W. Phillips, to proceed to the
Brazilian capital, but he has been d.
rected to prepare his vessel for sea with
out delay, in order that she can leave for
Brazil Immediately upon receipt Of orders
to that effect il is stated at the navy de-
partment that the New York will not be
ordered to Rio if no change takes place
in the present situation there, but ii is
believed that affairs are nearing crisis
that viii call for her presence at Rio.
Orders have also been issued by the de-
partment directing that the double tur-
retted monitor MiantOnOmoh. now at the
Brooklyn navy yard, be prepared for sea
as speedily as possible. The MiantOnomoh
will be fitted out subject to the same con-
ditions governing the preparation of the
New York. and if the expected trouble
should occur, the two vessels will pro
coed to Rio in company.
REASONS FOR THE ACTION.
There was no secret made to-day al the
state and navy departments of the
reasons that have induced this govern
meut to increase its naval force in Brazil.
The United States government feels that
the commerce of this country has been
interfered with by the Brazilian trouble.
Merchant vessels have been ordered from
their accustomed anchorage to a point
farther away from the line of fire, and
the first law of nature has compelled the
FOREIGN EqVellnG do liEaNiGa
The anchorage for merchantmen is
situated north of the Rio arsenal and be-
tween that point and Enchadas Island.
Fort de Villegaignon, Das Cobras and En-
chadas islands and another small island
are in the possession of the instruments.
From these four positions they are pour
ing shot and shell into the arsenal and
the custom house. The line of fire is
directly across the prescribed anchorage
for merchant vessels.
AMERICAN PROPERTY IN DANGER.
All the American business houses are
situated in the vicinity of the custom
house, and the arsenal and the constant
firing prevents the transaction of bust
ness. American ships cannot from their
present position. communicate with the
shore and commerce is being seriously
crippled. In addition to this, it is ex-
pected that when the final bat
tie begins in earnest, the bust
ness houses of Americans will
suffer considerably It is to prevent
this interference with commerce and de-
struction of American interests that the
imposing naval demonstration will be
made by the United States at Rio. Ex-
pectancy of turn in events is acute in
both the state and navy departments, and
almost any moment may witness the
United States taking a part in a contro-
versy which it has endeavored to escape
by policy of non-recognition and non
interference.
THE INSURGENTS STILL FIRING.
London, Dec. d, 2 a. m-The Times
has this dispatch, dated at Rio on Dec. 10
and forwarded via Montevideo: "Since
the sending of my last dispatch the in
surgents have maintained a heavy fire
with rifles and machine guns on the shore
front. They have driven the troops from
the custom house and Largo do Pace and
other points. Consequently, all the bust
ness of the city has been practically
stopped. The banks have closed There
is no communication between the ship
ping and the shore. The heavy artillery
fire continues.
ION Thursday afternoon when the gar
rison, of Nillegaignon, was dining a shell
from ten inch Armstrong in Sac Joao
penetrated the classmates, killing five and
severely wOunding nine. On Friday FIVE
were wounded at Villagaignon,
''Nictheroy is quiet only occasional
shots from its batteries being fred
against Cobras.
GOVERNMENT TROOPS IN A TRAP.
ION Thursday the government troops
attempted to retake Governador The
insurgents allowed the invading force
which consisted of 1000 infantry and
some artillery under Gen. Teller to land
then surrounded them and cut off their
retreat. II is thought probable that the
troops will surrender.
lin skirmishing with the troops on the
shore fronts during the past week the in
surgents lost five killed and fifteen
wounded. 1t is said that the government
lost 100 but it is impossible to ascertain
the exact number.
GEN. TELLER REFUSED.
Under the subhead Later, - the Times
correspondent says: Gen. Teller has at
tackled the insurgent forces on Gov
ernador. Admiral de Cana. with 200
men and four field guns, repealed the at
tack, killing many of the troops and Sc
verely wounding Gen. Teller. The
insurgents losses were seven
wounded. The following are the details
of the attack: The government troops
advanced and began firing on the in
surgent hospital for contagious diseases.
The main force appeared. They did not
see the force tnat Admiral de Cana had
concealed by the brushwood on the rising
ground. When the government troops
were within 800 yards the in
surgent batteries opened fire the four
guns firing 200 rounds in two hours The
insurgents maintained also a heavy fire
from their rifles and machine guns The
government troops Immediately broke in
all directions. Among the first to be
wounded was Gen. Teller. The launches
posted near the fort report that no fugi-
tives have yet attempted TO recross to the
mainland
The government has definitely refused
TO grant me permission to establish Red
Cross aid for the insurgents wounded. on
the ground that the men, when cured
would again fight against the govern
ment.
I am endeavoring to obtain details of
the romored naval engagement in the
south. 1t will be impossible any longer
to protect foreign commerce here unless
armed Intervention by foreign powers
stops the fighting"
RTMoRs OF A NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.
In the part of his letter covering events
before the attack by Gen. Teller, the
Times correspondent says: There is
persistent rumOr of a naval engagement
between the Aquidaban and Republic on
one side aud the Tiradenetes and the Min
otor Bahaia on the other, resulting in the
capture of the two latter by the insur-