The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-20
Between Government Forces and H.
suvsents at Rio.
MORE TROUBLE ON new SHIPS
Nitcheroy and America May re short
Handed-Ihe Outlook IL Very fsvos-
able for Melio-Peixoto Is Fretty.we eli
Out OF Cash-His y sotes over Issued.

PERNAMDUco, Dec. 20-A general en-
gagement between the rebel ships and the
government forts was begun on Monday
In the harbor OF Rio de Janeiro. The
firing on both sides Is said to have been
severe. The result Is not known yet.
Dispatches from Rio de Janeiro also say
that Commander Picking, senior naval off.
GER of the United States ships at Rio, has
announced to the merchants and ship
captains there that he declines to guar.
antee the safety OF the anchorage used by
merchant vessels now for discharge and
loading OF carRoes into lighters.
a report is in circulation that President
Peixoto and his government are nenrly
bankrupt, and that the financial strain
cannot be endured much longer. All
cable messages TO and from the south
have been stopped by order OF the govern
ment
Nictheroy Has n New Captain.
Captain Baker, who left New York In
command of the Nictheroy, is no longer In
charge of the new Brazilian cruiser
The officer in charge now Is Captain AL
varo Nunez. formerly in command of the
Brazilian warship Republica. and one
of the few naval officers loyal 20 Peixoto
This change is n great disappointment
10 the American portion OF the crew of the
Nictheroy, and has had bad influence
upon those inclined TO continue the strike
for an increase OF wages upon regularly
entering the Brazilian navy.
Many have decided to return to the
United States. IL is understood that
strong Inducements are being held out TO
Captain Baker in order TO prevail upon
him TO serve as second in command, but
the result is not generally known. 1t
seems certain, however, that the majority
of the guns crews will be prevailed upon
to remain with the Nictheroy; but IL ap
pears likely that the firemen and stokers
as well as n number OF seamen, will be re-
placed by Brazilians OF others.
The America Heard From.
The America has arrived safely mt
Maranhao the largest town aud seaport
Of the state OF Meranhao, in the northern
portion of Brazil She Is expected here
tomorrow. The two vessels will almost
Immediately afterwards sail for Bahia or
some other port TO the south. where the
two cruisers expect to receive definite
orders.
IL is reported that Mello il as well in
formed concerning the movements of the
Nictheroy and America as President
Peixoto himself.
Just as close this dispatch, hear q
rumor that there is trouble among the
crew Of the America, similar to the
trouble existing among the crew Of the
Nictheroy. Should this be the case. there
may be some further delay in the de.
parture Of the two cruisers southwark.
Summary Measures.
Late yesterday, Captain Nunez, the new
commander OF the Nictheroy, shipped GO
new men and sent several of the New
York crew ashore. The rest Of the sea-
men shipped at New York were com.
PEELED TO sail in spite of their protests
II Is thought that there was serious
disturbance on board the Nictheroy and
leave the ship engaged in a struggle with
the remainder of the crew and that a
number OF men were finally clnpped i'm
irons and confined below decks.
American Vessels Going to Rio.
WASHINGTON, Dec 20-Word was re-
ceived at the navy department that the
San Francisco had arrived at Trinidad
and was ordered to proceed to Rio de ia.
neiro. II is inferred that the serious con.
show of United States forces.
NEW York, Dec. 20-Fiurried prepara-
tions are being made at the navy yard to
fit the cruiser New York for sea- 1t Is sur.
missed that she has been ordered to Brazil
AYERS sarsaparilIa thorouc hy expcls the scroful.