The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-28
They Stopped at Bahia Yesterday to
Take OH Coal Preparatory to Sail
ing and Engaging the Enemy.
CRUISER NICTHEROY READY
Her Crew Now Expert with the
Dynamite and Other Guns.
Big Slump i'm British Exports and I'M
ports During 1893-Rumors Concern
ing Prince Bismarck's Health.

Copyright. 1893. by the Associated Press)
PERNAMBUCO, Dec. G.-There is great
excitement in this city over a report that
Admiral Mello will soon be here to attack
the dynamite cruiser Nictheroy. News
reached here from Bahia this afternoon
that Mello had arrived at the latter port,
and was coaling preparatory to sailing for
Pernambuco. with the intention of captur
ing or destroying the Nictheroy, after
which, it is said, if the rebel ships are
victorious, they will turn their attention
to the America. The advices from Bahia
also say that Melo may be expected here
tomorrow, in which case the dynamite
gun will have an opportunity of showing
what it can do in actual warfare. No
body, however, believes that Admiral De
Mello will make. an attack upon the MIC
theroy in broad daylight, and ii is now
said that the dynamite cruiser may not
give him the chance of trying to cut her
out in these waters, but will steam out
side the harbor and engage the rebel ad-
miral there. OF course, all these rumors
and counter rumors are mere conjectures,
and nothing is positively known regarding
the intentions of the rebel admiral or the
commander of the Nictheroy. The latter's
men appeared to be overJoyed at the pros
enemy.
II is rumored tonight that Captain Nunez
may torpedo the harbor and take other pre-
cautions to prevent being taken by sur
prise. The electric search light Is Kept con-
stantly in thorough working order, ana the
people of Pernambuco are tonight worked
UP to the highest pitch of excitement in an
tcipa tion of witnessing the battle between
the dynamite cruiser and the rebel war
ships A sharp lookout is kept all along the
nelghboring coast, and signal men are sta
toned upon every elevation of ground from
which a good view of the coast waters may
be obtained. The government torpedo schooi
ship Parahyba, which was recently ordered
north, destination unknown arrived here
and almost as suddenly disappeared, fear
struggle between the Nictheroy and the
rebel ships. Another version OF the sudden
departure of the Parahyba Is that she was
ordered by PeiXoto to steam for parts un-
known on important mission. The Mic
theroy's crew. during the stay OF that YES
sci in these waters. have not been idle. and
NAV now be said to be thoroughly trained
in the working of the big dynamite gun, as
we'll as in the handling of the rapid-fire
guns which are likely TO play the most
active part in night attack, should sAd-
niral AIello decide upon attempt TO cut out
the Nictheroy.
between Brazil and Portugal, owing to the
fact that the Portuguese minister at Rio de
Janeiro Compile De Pace d'Arcos. is de-
ident Peixoto although the Minister is de-
sirous of leaving Brazil on leave Of absence.
1t is evident that the portuguese minister
attempted to lave Brazil in spite of the
order to the contrary issued by President
Peixoto. and that the latter employed force
i'm order to detain the Compile at the Bra
lillian capital The affair is said to be like
ly to cause much additional trouble for the
government of President Peixoto.
The Spanish war ship Cristobal Colon ar
rived here for coal and orders. yesterday.
and her officers reported that on Christmas
eve there was, according TO information
sent to them, a heavy engagement between
the rebel ships and the forts. The result
of the engagement was not known to the
Spanish officers, but both sides are said
to have suffered severely.