Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-10
E LISTING Sc ZEN
Plenty of Volunteers for the New Brazilian
Ships
Reports of the Attack on Rio Not
Confirmed - American Ofhcers
ON New Warships.

Reports received here indicate that the
enlistment Of volunteers at New York for
service on President Peixotos new Brazil
ian navy is progressing favorably. In spite
of rumors of small pay. enough men have
applied for places to man dozen ships like
Ell Cid and the Britannia. Agents Of the
Brazilian government have had lawyers at
work Investigating the United States laws
on the subject Their opinion was rendered
yesterday. 1t is in effect that the section Of
the Revised Statutes which prohibits the
enlistment of men within United States ter
ritory for military or naval service under
foreign governments applies only to their
enlistment for service against powers with
which the United States are at peace. and
that as the men who are being hired to
man Ell Cid and her consorts are to serve
against rebels, and therefore no recognized
power, friendly or unfriendly, there is no
violation of the law.
The legal authorities at Washington agree
that under the arrangement proposed, OFF,
GERS and men can be taken on board these
vessels for warfare in Brazilian waters.
The ships, however, with this force, must
leave New York flying the American flag.
The colors may be changed to the Brazil
ian emblem on the high seas. This arrange
ment will meet the requirements of the
comfy of nations.
The graduates of the Naval Academy are
glad to know that the Brazilian cruisers are
to have among their officers three Naval
Academy men. Mr.. Craven, Mr.. Sparkling
and Mr.. Conway are regarded as expert
enced officers. They stood well at An
napolis, and their performances at Rio Will
be closely watched by their friends In the
United States navy.
No COnfirmatiOn.
Senior Mendonca, the Brazilian minister,
said yesterday that he had received no
confirmation from Brazil Of his advlces
from London that Admiral Mello had re-
sumed the bombardment of Rio. The State
Department was also without Information
on the subject yesterday.
Admiral Mellos situation is described by
Senior Mendonca as a desperate one. His
ships are still in a badly crippled condition
a result Of their encounter a fortnight
ago with the government forts. He mas
no communication with the mainland. He
secures his supplies of food by running
alongside the small coasters which carry
produce to Rio and paying for them In
scrip. This scrip the minister added, will
have to be redeemed by the defacto gov
eminent when the rebellion is crushed,
which is another reason why 1t is desirable
to end the war as speedily as possible.
Moreover, Mello's ammunition Is becoming
rapidly exhausted. His position in the har-
Dor Is such that he cannot under any cir
cumstances inf1ict damage upon any but
the more isolated and outlying parts Of the
capital. The government buildings and
great commercial houses are out of range
of his guns.
The Peixoto government, Senior Mendonca
says is holding its own. The congress, the
army, the several state assemblies and the
people generally from Rio Grande to Para,
are loyal to the president The vessels fit
ting out at New York are expected to be of
great service to Peixoto. and their arrival
at Rio Is anXiously awaited.
No Monarchy,
Minister Mendonca's advices are that the
representatives Of the Brazilian monarch
list party in Europe are disheartened at the
lack of responsiveness to their sentiments
among the people of Brazil. They had ex-
pected great uprising as a consequence of
Mello's revolt and they do not conceal
their disappointment that II did not occur.
This declaration led the minister to add
that there is no monarchial party, as a
party, in the republic. few malcontents
still indulge the hope of a restorat ton, but
their numbers are Insignificant, and their
influence nil. Whatever. he says, may be
the outcome of the pending troubles, the re-
public Will continue. Brazil saw the last of
monarchy with the deportation of Dom
Pedro.