New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-04
WILL THERE BE A BATTLE'
NAVAL OFFICERS MUCH INTERESTED IN
THE BRAZILIAN SITUATION.
WATCHING THE MOVEMENTS OF TIE AQUIDABN
AND TIE NIcrHEROY AND AMEhi'N
ADMIRAL STATIONS CASE
fpY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRlBrSr.)


Washington Dec 3-The news that the Aquid-
ahan the naesbip Of Admiral Melo. had escaped
from the harbor OF Rio and had headed 'o"aiu SEQ
Is regarded as significant by naval ol'eeia' ~ "
not believed that the Admiral proceed'u iai i"
southerly direction as was reported unless II was
his intention to 20 10 Montevideo and PICK up one
OF his fleet. at that port previous 10 steering
a course in an opposite direction. There Is pare
possibility that the Aquidaban may nave sus'ai','"
slight damage from the shot and shell from ie'N-
otos land batteries which rendered necessary ili"e
date repairs but this is hardly probable III we" Oh
her heavy armor Naval officers think That Ad'hiraI
Afello has gone to sea in search of the Nictheroy
and America with view to engaging ana uestios
ing those vessels before they can reach i'o' inc
two converted steamers now on their way 10
Brazil, having recoaod at ana Saled from 81.
Thomas While their port of destination in brazil
Is unknown II is presumed that they VIII proceed
direct to Rio 1t is unlikely that they would so
elsewhere in view of the fact that 'hey "e'e
purchased and armed with the object OF returning
part of the harassing fire of the insurgent ships
The Aouidaban VIII most probably proceed to
a neighborng friendly port. give her officers ana
crew a needed rest. and make such slight repairs
as are necessary. She will then I'll IN magazines
and coal hunkers and hover about the entrance to
Rio Harbo:. keeping sharp lookout for the NC
theroy and America of the movements OF when
Admiral Melo is doubtless kept Informed by his
agents. The result Of conflict between the Vesseis
is looked for with much professional interest IN
less the ships brought INTO close quarters IL
would be extravagant to expect that the two steam
ers would be match for the Aquidaban Neither
the Nictheroy nor the America is armored Their
rapid-lre guns have neither the range nor the
destructive effect of the heavy guns of the Aquid
aban and their pneumatic guns are not serViceanie
even under favorable conditions. at ranges exceeding
one mile Their torpedoes would. of course, be in
effective at distances exceeding loco yards. More
over. the two cruisers officers and men have had
little experience In the Of the weapons upon
which they must depend.
The Aquidaban. the other hand, is heavily
armored vessel Her decks arc protected b. armor
ranging in thickness from two to ten inches Her
main battery consists of four s-inch, cotton Arm.
strong guns. and four 7O-pounders. In her sec
ondary battery number OF small rapid-ire
and machine guns. Excepting the dynamite
thrower. il is doubtful II guns of the Nictheroy
and America ,coud do much damage to the
Aqudaban unless they struck her in an unarmored
part The only apparent chance of the American
steamers in an open sea hgh; is their celerity OF
movement Fairly struck by she'll from any o!
the Aqu.dahan's main guns, either or both YES
sells would be sunk In harbor where the water
Is smooth and conditions favorable for STRATEGY
cal operations during the day or nigh the steamers
would be at greater advantage. AT sea, however
they would take extraordinary risks in going
within range where their guns would be ef-
fectiYc. Each vessel has on board a set OF clever
fearless officers. some of whom are graduates OF
the Naval Academy, and Naval officers attach
much Importance TO this fact
Admiral Stanton has reported 10 the Navy De-
partment his arrival in this country. 1t is under
stood that he will soon endeavOr To explain why
he saluted Admiral Mello 1t is not believed that
any explanation from the Admiral Will be sails
factory TO Secretary Herbert 1t is said at the
Navy Department that before the Admirals recall
was determined upon all the circumstances OF ms
case were carefully considered. In view of his
orders. and the conditions at Rio at the time the
salute was fired. no explanation is deemed neces-
sary The mere fact that the salute was fired IL
sufficient proof tina: the Admiral committed seri-
GUS blunder, Naval officers say. Even assuming
that he made an unintentonal mistake ana rem
dered honors the .nsurgent leader under the pe'
lief that he paying compliment 10 'he nag
of an officer of the brazilian Navy, no explanation
would be acceptabl. for the reason that there Is
no excuse for such an error of judgment Errors
of this nature are equivalent to intentional wrong
doing. according to Naval discipline. 81, c.,
In the absence of knowledge OF Adinlrai stan
tons orders people at Rio manifest much surprlse
OF his recall Commenting on the EPISODE. Ihe
Rio News Of recent date. just received mere sdy
editorially: The kilograms received mere on nv
26th telling of the recall OF Admiral stanton com
mander-in-chief of the United States naval FORCES
al this station. occasioned general surprise we
have no disposition to discuss question which can
only be settled by the authorities at washington
We have heard only one side or the case anu Wv
other cannot be known until Admiral Stanton makes
his official reply to the charges made Al ina,
can be said is that is accused Of receiving and
returning calls which were of the briefest charac
ter and devoid of all political interest,". Inc
relations between the officers OF other natoha t
and an insurgent chief probably led TO the I'M
preston that no Importance was attached 10 une
calls That no intentional slight or offence was
nad 6n NO %s sa vea snd could have
no opinion on the conflict We are glad 10 say
by Americans, but by foreigners of every ma
tionality."