The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-04
GUARDS PACE THE DECK.
Precautions Taken to Prevent Harm
to FL Cid.
Ill is FEARED THAT MELLOS MEN
MIGHT BLOW HER UP.

The Sub-Marine Torpedo Boat Peace
Navy-If Mon Are Enlisted in New
York for the War, the Ships MayN Not
lie Allowed 70 Sail--The DESTROYER M
New York.
New York November s.-Representa-
tives OF PelXoto's government are evident
undetermined to givs Admiral MsIlo's
men no chance to prevent Ell Cid's de-
parture for Brazilian waters, and have
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS maxeshift warshlp
under.guard. These men on guard seem
to be lookerson, but not novels made
that is not watched Other guards walk
the deck, while still others mingle with
the workmen, and close lookout is kent
at the coHpanionwsys. There are at least
score of men guarding at different
points, none of whom will give any salts
factory answer when questioned.
While the Ell Cid is in American waters
she cannot, of course, be openly attacked,
but secret warfare is just as effective,
and Flint & Co. evidently rea ize that it
would be less expensive for Mello's men
to blow up Ell Cid with charge of dyna-
mite while she is still at her dock than
her outside of Sandy Hook. Internation-
al difficulties would arise if Ell Cid were
blown up, provided Mello's men were
connected with the work, but it is agreed
that the insurgent admiral would take
great chances.
The Destroyer arrived at Erie basin
from Newport shortly before noon. She
cannot be docked Immediately, as both
dry docks there are occupied BY steamers.
She will probably be hauled out early
tomorrow.
The Tribune says: Scarcely day
passes without some addition being re-
ported to the fleet that PresidentsPeixoto
Of Brazil is,organizing here to fight his
rebellious admiral. The latest purchase
reported is that of the submarine torpedo
boat Peacemaker. This boat was designed
ands built in 1886, and had an official
test in November of that year. At that
time it succeeded fairly well, and at
later tests it did even better. It would
doubtless be a formidable weapon in a
harbor.
The Peacemaker is about the size of
an ordinary steam launch. When on the
surface the boat stands only few inches
above theswater. The object of the vessel
is to slip under the enemy's torpeo net
ting, place an explosive of some sort un-
der her and then steam away to fire it,
either by clock work or an elecric wire,
from safe distance.
1t would be an easy matter to load the
Peacemaker on the deck Of either Ell Cid
or Britannia and take her to Brazil.
Collector Kilbreth was called to Wash
ington suddenly yesterday afternoon, but
no one in the custom house seemed to
know why he went away so hurriedly. 1t
was said, however, that he has been
called there to consult with the secretary
of the treasury and other cabinet officers
regarding the Brazilian affair. In case it
is found that men are being enlisted for
service in Brazil, the custom house
authorities may refuse to allow the ships
to clear. Officers are said to be at work
now trying to find out whether men
have been enlisted or not.
Trying to Buy Gunboats.
Washington, November 3.-The United
States government has received ssintima-
tions through the Brazilian minister at
this capital that his government would
be only too pleased TO buy the navy eI1n-