The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-25
ANOTHER FIGHT IN BRAZIL.
The Rebels Said to Have Lost 400 Men
at Italiahv
(copyrlght 1893, by the United Pressl.

Copyright 1893, by the United Press).
Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 24.-The report of
a bloody battle at Italiahy, state of Santa
Catharina, in which 400 insurgents were
said to have been killed, has no founda-
tion in fact. It was discredited generally
from the first, and is now authoritatively
denied.
sAvAIRA's FORCE.
Washington, Dec. 24.-In response to
his inquiries upon the subject, the Bra
lillian minister of foreign affairs has
cabled Minister Mendonca the facts, so
far as they are known at Rio, regarding
the column of insurgents under Gen. Sa-
vaira, which has been variously reported
as marching upon Sac Paglo and upon
the capital of Santa Catherine, and con-
sisting of from 5000 to 5000 men.
1.-THE message / have received from my
government" said Minister Mendonca to
a reporter for the Southern Associated
Press tonight, sis most salts factory.
That elusive column under Gen. Savaira
the minister of foreign affairs tells me,
consists of less than 2 200 men, all cavalry
They have got no further north than
Santa Catherine, and have so far failed
in their efforts to effect a junction with
the forces of the Mello provisional govern
ment which is established on the island
made an attempt a month or so ago
to reach the insurgents of the island,
but the government forces defeated him
and drove him back to Rio Grande do Sui.
He has now returned with a troop of
cavalry, but he has not penned the gov
ernment forces as yesterdays kilograms
reported. The government of Santa
Catherine has $500 regular troops under
his command and Savaira is not likely
fAy ,aulr
them"
THE SITUATION AT RIO.
GAS to the condition of things in Rio, {"
continued Minister Mendonca, "the gov
ernment has control of every island in the
bay except Villagaignon, Las Cobras,
and one other, which latter is a place of
suburban residence only, and of no value
or Importance whatever in a military
sense. 1t is true that Gen Terris, of the
army, was wounded by shot from am
bush while making a reconnaissance upon
Gevemas Island. The next day, how
ever, with a sufficient force the island was
taken from the insurgents. The govern
ment is drawing the lines closer and
closer about the insurgents in the harbor,
and expects soon TO crush them. This
would have been accomplished ere this -
explained the minister, chad ii not been
that the government is under promise not
to injure foreign merchantmen in the
harbor by the fire from It's guns. This,
of course, works 70 the advantage of the
insurgents.
The only thing that may be said to Sc
riously concern the government now is
the Aquidaban, which Admiral Mello has
out to sea. But if those Yankee contri-
vances which are on their way to Brazil,
the torpedo and other war vessels, make
a good report of themselves, we may not
have merry Christmas but ought to have
happy New Year. In week or ten
days at the farthest think we shall have
something interesting from there"
GONE TO GIVE BATTLE.
Buenos Ayres, Dec. 24.-It is reported
here that the Brazilian rebel warships
Aquidaban and Republica are bound for
Montevideo, where they will attack
President Peixoto's feet which is fitting
ont there