The record-union., 1893-09-21
Special to the REcoRD-UNroN.

LONDON, Sept. 2O.-A banking house in
this city, having extensive connections
with Brazil. received a cable from its
agent at the Brazilian Capital this morn
ing, and it is considered most trustw orthy
information as to the actual state of al
fairs at Rio. The agent says Admiral de
Mellos, communicating chief of the rebel
forces in the Bay of Rio Janeiro, sent all
officer and boats crew ashore to-day
bearing white flag. The officer was
conducted to the presence of the General
in command of the Government forces,
when he presented letter which con-
tanned the ultimatum of the rebel Ad-
miral. 1t declared that unless the city
promptly surrendered Internationally
he would proceed to lombard Rio in a
manner compared with which all former
efforts in that direction would seem but
child's play.
The Admiral is understood to give the
authorities but a few hours in which to
come to a decision. In default of this the
bonn bardment would be commenced i'm
mediately. There is no doubling the fact
that the rebel Admiral is in earnest that
unless the city surrenders promptly it
sells Of all descriptions, from the large
war vessel down to tug-boat, upon
which small guns have been mounted.
1t is understood the rebel Admiral will
station the fleet around Rio, and at a
given signal open fire upon it from all
quarters with all the guns at his COM
mand, and the wholesale destruction of
property and a terrible loss to life
are sure to follow. Rio will have to de-
pend upon the military force in the city
proper to defend it against the rebel at
tack, but all the efforts of the already de-
moraliZed troops will be of little or no
avail against the terrible bonn bardment
to which Rio will be subjected unless the
city surrenders.
The provisions are almost exhausted,
and the question of the ultimate surren-
der had been discussed before the ultima
tum of the rebel Admiral was received.
The opinion is freely expressed that the
authorities, in refusing to surrender, will
only cause the destruction of the city
without in any way assisting the cause of
President Peixoto. The dispatch adds
that Rio is in the utmost CONSERVATION
and dismay. The citizens are fleeing TO
the country with such of their belongings
as they can carry and merchants are
packing their goods in cellars prepara-
tory to following them.
The consulate representatives of the
Powers are using their utmost efforts to
diSsuade the rebel commander from car
rying out his threat. but so far without
avail.
Heavy pressure is being brought to
bear on the local authorities to induce
them to surrender, as it is considered
folly to resist, the forts being unable to
do anything against the rebel gunboats,
and the land artillery being unable TO
reach them from their shelter behind the
islands in the bay, from which they
throw shells into the city.
1t is recognized that to hold out means
simply the destruction of the city, without
any compensating advantage to Peixoto.
Meantime three rebel vessels have
reached Santos, and, after sharp fight,
succeeded in landing strong force Of
marines. and at the time the dispatch was
sent were endeavoring to take the city by
assault, with the probabilities OF success.
The Government forces made desperate
resistance to the landing of the rebels and
some sharp fighting has taken place. The
result of the engagement is not known,
but it is believed the rebels will eventu-
ally succeed in capturing the place.
Viscount D' 'Arinos, Brazilian Minister,
received kilograms last night which made
no mention OF the success of the rebels.
Hence he is of the opinion that the Gov
ernment officers at Rio were not inter-
fered with and that President Peixoto
has not left Rio de Janeiro. The Minis
ter does not believe the news in regard to
the ultimatum said to have been de-
livered by Admiral de Mello, and does
not consider the situation alarming. He
admits, however. that of late there has
been considerable feeling against the
President, it being alleged that he had
violated the constitution. The present
agitation, according to the Minister, was
probably caused in view of the fact that
the Presidential election takes place in
March.
The Minister received telegram to-
day that the Bank of Brazil and other
banks were open and transacting busi-
ness, and that exchange had also been
quoted to-day.
NO NEWS FROM MINISTER THOMPSON.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20-The State De-
partment is still without any further in
formation regarding the troubles at