The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-20
American Captain of the Nictheroy Dis
placed by a Brazilian and Part Of
the Crew Put i'm Irons.
VICTORY FOR MR.. GLADSTONE
Britain'S Navy Calamity Defended
by the Aged Premier,
And His Motion of Confidence in the
Government Promptly Passed by
the House of Commons.

COpyr1gnC 1875, by the Associated PreSs1
PERNAMBUCo, Dec 19.-News was re.
ceived here late to-day that a general en-
gagement between the rebel ships and the
government forts was begun on Monday
morning in the harbor of Rio de Janeiro.
The fight on both sides is said to have been
severe. and the result of the engagement
is not known as this message is sent.
Dispatches received here from Rio do
Janeiro to-day say that Commander Pick>
ing, the senior naval officer OF the United
States ships at Rio de Janeiro. has an
nounced TO the merchants and ship captains
there that he declines TO guarantee the
safety of the anchorage used by merchant
vessels now for discharging and unloading
cargoes into lighters.
a report has gained circulation here that
President Peixoto and his government ara
nearly bankrupt and that the financial
strain he and his friends are subjected to
cannot be endured much longer. This ru<
NOR may have it's origin in insurgent
sources, and is given for what it is worth
All cable messages to and from the south
have been stopped by order OF the govern
ment officials here or at Rio de Janeiro,
and the utmost anxiety is expressed as to
the result OF the battle now going on be>
tween the rebels and the government
forces.
There has been a change in the situa-
ton here to-day. 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 Of her now
is Capt. Aivaro Nunez, who was formerly
in command OF the Brazilian war ship Re-
publica, and who is one OF the few naval
officers who remained loyal to President
Peixoto. This change is a great disappoint~
ment TO the American portion of the crew
OF the Nictheroy and has a bad influence
upon those who are inclined to continue
the strike for an increase OF wages upon
regularly entering the Brazilian navy. The
fact that Captain Nunez has assumed COM
mand Of the Nictheroy has caused many OF
the Americans who were still hesitating as
to whether they would or would not enter
the Brazilian navy. at the same rate Of
wages as agreed upon at New York, TO de-
eide upon returning TO the United States.
They were perfectly willing TO fight under
Captain Baker, but they are not so willing
to fight under Captain Nunez. 1t is under
stood that strong inducements are being
held out to Captain Baker to serve as Sec
ond in command. 1t seems certain that the
majority Of tie gun crews which have been
so successfully trained since leaving New
York will be prevailed upon to remain with
the Nictheroy, as 1t is admitted on all sides
that Ii would be utterly impossible to secure
Brazilians who would work the rapid fire
guns, to say nothing OF the dynamite gun.
with anything like the efficiency displayed
by the American crews. But as things look
now, it appears likely that the fremen and
stokers, as well as a number Of able seamen
and ordinary seamen, from New York. will
be replaced by Brazilians or others who can
be picked up at this or other ports.
The second piece Of important news which
the correspondent on board the Nictheroy
has just received is to the effect that her
consort, the America, has arrived safely at
Maranhao. the largest town and seaport OF
the State of Maranhao. I'm the northern por-
ton Of Brazil. We hear briefly that all Is
well on board the America. but there are
no particulars regarding the accident which
happened to her. The general opinion ex-
pressed is that the accident In the engine
room was simply the ordinary disabling Of
one OF the air pumps. and 1t is not believed
here that there is any truth in the stories
about Brazilian insurgene agents being on
board Of her, or that anybody willfully did
damage TO the machinery. However, every
body Is anxiously awaiting the arrival OF
the America, which vessel ia expected here
Tomorrow. and IT is announced. the two
vessels will, almost Immediately afterwards,
SGl LOT BaNla OF some OIner DOfI 10 the
south Of US. where the cruisers expect TO
receive definite orders as TO their future
movements. IL Is currently reported here
that Admiral Mello is as well informed con-
| corning the movements OF the Nictheroy
and America as President Peixoto himself.
Just as 1 close this dispatch. / hear a
rumor that there Is trouble among the crew
of the America similar TO the trouble exist
ing among the crew OF the Nictheroy.
Should this be the case there may be some
further delay in the departure OF the two
cruisers southwark, but we still expect to
see the America here tomorrow or the
day after at the latest, and we shall feel
very much more confident OF success when
our conSort Is at anchor near US. Through
out yesterday we were taking on board pro-
parently, very much inferior TO that with
which We shipped in New York In n
case we expect to be ready to sail south
ward as soon as our ~consort. the America,
is ready 10 proceed with US. AS l have al
ready cabled you. all is quiet here and not
much is known concerning the situation or
affairs at Rio de Janeiro. i have been I'M
officially Informed that IL would be advis-
able for me TO abstain from touching upon
the political affairs OF Brazil, but i do not
think / am mourning the danger OF having
my dispatch suppressed when 1 say that
what little news has reached here seems 10
indicate that President Peixoto has had
some successes OF an important nature and
that he expects his cause will eventually
triumph The people hereabouts seem some
what unconcerned as 10 the result
Late to-day Captain Nunez. the new
commander Of the Nitcheroy. shipped six
~ new men and sent several OF the New
York crew ashore. The rest OF the seamen
shipped at New York were compelled 20
sail, I'm spite OF their protests and strike for
higher wages. IT is thought that there
was n serious disturbance on board the
Nictheroy and that several or the men
who desired to leave the ship engaged In a
struggle with their commander and q num-
Der of men were finally clapped In irons
and confined below decks.
Later.-The Brazilian war shin America
Is reported outside OF the harbor here. The
elections have been postponed until March l.
Another War ship Sent 60 Flo.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-The San Fran
cisco has been ordered TO proceed 10 Rio
de Janeiro. Secretary Herbert did not care
10 discuss the situation at Rio and tho
reason for ordering the San Francisco
there, but IT is 10 be inferred that the
serious condition OF affairs in Brazil calls
for a further show OF United States forces.
There were indications at the Navy and
State Departments that some important
news was received to-day, aud Ii was be-
lieved 20 have come from Brazil. but moth
ing could be learned at either department.
as 10 its character. IL was reported that
questions involving the recognition OF the
insurgents as belltgerents had arisen. II -
- IL