Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-12-26
'BIG BATTLE PROBABLE.
Brazilian Vessels and Rebels Heading
in the Same Direction.
THE REVOLUTIONARY ADMIRAL
Has a Plan for Securing Men for
His Vessels by Pressing Able
Bodied Convicts into the Ser
vice-Has Gone to the Island
of Fernando de Norononha for
that Purpose.
rarrrloAl.s. l,as. ey a. A.oeia,.a Pr...

CoryrioAtes, 1898, b. the Assodatea Prsss.
PERNANlBUco. December 25.-The
situation Of affairs has very materially
changed in this city within the last few
hours.
Until this morning Psrnambuco be-
lieved that its harbor was to be the
scene of the first big naval battle he1
tween the RepublIca, Admiral MelIo's
best warship, and the Aquida6an, her
companion rebel ship on the one side
aud the NIctheroy, President Pslxoto's
dynamite gun cruiser on the other.
This belief was amply justified by the
report received few days ago on APP
parently good authority that the Re-
publica and the Aquldaban had been
seen Oft the Brazilian coast headed
northward and apparently bound for
Pernambuco. as II TO take the Nicths-
roy by surprise and myel her TO light
without chance OF putting to sea.
The news received here this morning
changed the whole aspect OF affairs.
The rebel warships, II was learned.
were not on their way TO Pernambuco,
but on the contrary had sailed
towards the mountainous and rugged
island of Fernando de Norononha,
where there Is
LARGE CONVICT SETTLEMENT.
The island, despite It's ruggedness,
possesses considerable fertility and It's
several harbors defended by forts
would enable Mello TO make a vigorous
resistance If attacked.
The revolutionary AdmirsPs object
In going to Fernando de Norononha.
which is over 100 miles from the main
coast OF Brazil is TO compel so many
able-bodied convicts as no can find In
the settlement to 60 aboard his vessels
and ioin their crews. 1t is said that
he expects TO secure not less than 1000
men in this way.
Upon the receipt OF this news aboard
the Nictheroy there were great activity
noticeable. Members OF the cIAF were
sent ashore in q small boats '.oseesch-
through the town for such OF the Meth
crows men as had been allowed TO land
and hurry them back 10 the ship.
The commanding officer OF tho
NictherOy had apparently received
full instructions as TO how be
should act In such an emergency
aud these Instructions, II Is
believed, were to the effect that II he
became convinced that the report Of
the coming TO Pernambuco OF the Re-
pubica and AQuidabAn proved TO be un-
true, and that these vessels, instead OF
seeking
WE'RE RvADINe FIGHT,
be should lose no further time but put
TO sea at once aud force them into q
naval contest for superiority. This
view OF the case proved to DO correct.
for this afternoon when all the men be-
longing to the NIcthoroy's crew had
been gotten aboard she government
battle ship she weighed anchor Aad
steamed out TO sea and pointed her nose
for the northeast.
The Associated Press correspondent
Is reliably informed that the Nictheroy's
destination is the island OF Fernando
De Noroponha.
II this information Is correct the long
expected sea battle between the reyolu-
ZIONIST 6nd the government war vessels
will in all probability be fought within
q short time.