Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-06
WILL LEAVE ON THE 18TH.
Minister MendOnca Talks About tn
New Brazilian Fleet.

Minister MendOnca Talks About the
New Braxilian Fleet.
Senior Mendonca, the Brazilian minister
went to New York and visited Ell Cid yes
terday. He remained on board only a few
minutes. Mr.. Mendonca returned to Wash
ington on the midnight train.
The feet to leave New York as near
November II as possible will consist he
said. "of Ell Cid. Brittania, the Destroyer,
the Javelin, the Feiseen and the Yarrow
torpedo boat, which will arrive from Eng
land in the meantime. The flotilla will fly
the Brazilian flag. sailing as merchantmen
under extraordinary clearance papers.
They will register at some north Bra
lillian port. Of which 1 am now in ignor-
ance, where the ships will be manned by
their fighting crews.
I'VE are shipping only common sailors in
this port, and Offering no extra induce
ments OF course IL the fleet is attacked
en- route 1t will show its strength, but there
is no expectation of any such occurrence.
We do not believe that Mello has any
agents or sympathizers in this country,
wild rumors to the contrary notwithstand-
ing / have no intimation that the insur-
rectionists are receiving assistance from
England. but as to whether any other ma
ton or individual Is con tributing to their
support do not care to speak.
Public feeling in Brazil is wholly repub-
lican, as the postponed election in March
will undoubtedly demonstrate. None Of the
active politicians are monarchists.
1T Is true that We made overtures look
ing to the purchase of Gould's ATLANTA,
but we have found something infinitely
more satisfactory in the Brittania- The
Feiseen, in my estimation, will be the finest
torpedo boat a1oat.
"Mello's fleet is practically imprisoned in
strongest vesse;, the Aquidaban, is in very
bad condition from heavy bombardment
from the forts. She would be at the mercy
Of Ell Cid's great torpedo thrower were not
her own guns Of such long and powerful
range"
The Peixoto government will be Informed
Immediately Of the completion Of the fleet
in this country. and not till then will Mr.
Mendonca be instructed as to their precise
destination or time of departure. Probably
not less than 81 200, 600 will have been ex-
pended in buying and equipping the SQUAD
ron to leave New York.
Charles r: Flint & Company of New York
are negotiating for another modern device
In naval warfare. II travels below the sur
face Of the ocean. and does its destructive
work underneath the waves. The craft re-
ferred to is the Baker submarine torpedo
boat. The owner is George S. Baker OF Chi
cago, who arrived in New York city yester-
day from Washington. Mr.. Baker has
offered to sell his boat to Flint E. Compa nv
for use by the Brazil naval expedition. His
offer Is Hnder consideration. The boat Is
now at South Chicago. but IL there is a
little delay she can reach New York in time
to leave on Ell Cid
j. is said that the new Brazilian ships
will positively have no other watch officers
than United States nava; officers or grad
yates Of AnnaDolis Capt. Baker will have
snnrer1e control of the fleet but when FL
Cid is to engage the enemv the contest will
pra cticallv be fought by the senior watch
officer. whose name cannot yet be made
public.