The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-02
MELLO GETS AWAY FROM RIO.
THE AoUIDABAN PASSES THE IoR1S
AND PUTS TO SEA.

She Returns the Henvy Fire of the Land
batteries with Iuterest md Does Severe
Iujury TO the Government Force--IIeaded
for the south-Surpri.e In Washington.
LONDON. Dec. IA despatch to the Exchange
Telegraph Company from Rio Janciro says
that the insurgent Admiral Melo has finally
succeeded in forcing passage rast the forts
guarding the entrance Of the Bay OF Rio
Janeiro. and that his flagship. tho Auuldaban.
Is now on the high sens. The passage was not
effected until some desperate lighting had
been done.
The entrance Is guarded by Fort Sac Joao
and n water battery on the strip OF land OK
tending northeas from the Sugar Loaf. Fort
LaRe. Fort Santa Cruz. and Fort rico. Advicos
from another source say that when tho Adutda-
ban was seen approaching the forts heavy
FIRE was directed against her
She replied briskly. and the fight was kept
up until she had run past the forts and was
out OF range. II was seen that somo OF the
shots from the forts took effect. and 1t Is be-
lieved that the Aquidaban sustained constd-
cradle damage.
The Government forces, particularly tho
troops manning the water battery. suffered
severely from the effects Of the rapld-fre guns
onboard the war ship. Considerable damage
is said to have been done to the forts by tho
big guns of the Aduidaban. which appear to
have been well served. The Government
forces generally suffered severely.
After the Aquidaban was out OF range she
stood away for the south. 1t is conJectured
at Rio Janeiro that she will effect repairs AS
rapidly as possible at sea and then cruise in
tho vicinity OF Cape St Rogue to intercept tho
Nicthcroy and America. tho improvised war
ships now on their way from New York to re-
enforce President Peixoto.
The Aquidaban was accompanied by an
armed merchantmen. The British command
er sent the British war ship Beagle after them
TO ascertain the course which they took.
In tho House OF Commons this evening a
member said he had heard report that Presi-
dent Peixoto OF Brazil had been assassinated,
and asked II the Government had any such In
formation. Sir Edward GREY; PARLIAMENTARY q,
the Government had received no word con-
cerning any attempt uron peixoto,s life.
Admiral Mello reached Washington to-day in
the shapeo caOlegtam from United States
Minister Thompson at Rio. as follows:
Admiral Melo left the bay this morning on the
PROBABLY tho high tariff on cable messages
news to this meagre statement. so the officials
here are in ignorance oi the rebel Admiral =
Intentions and the strength Of the naval force
1t is. however surmscd that he has taken
his flagship toward Destcrrc to Join forces
with the reyolutionists in that vicinity. leaving
the siege OF Flo to DO prosecuted by the ves-
sells remaining in that port.
There has boon a supposItion entertained
here that tho Admiral. when he left Rio. which
movement was expected by the officials, would
steam north with the intention Of meeting The
able in that case that the light. unarm orod
cruiser would fall an easy prey to the ironclad,
but the fact that Mplo Inns gone south gives
color to the story that has vessel y In bad CON
It is probable also that the hull Of the war shiI
Is SO foul from long exposure to tho
a%ns 81 @ SGy t@e
bottom may Ea, cleaped., Meanwhile. the
| Object OF great solicitude in official circles
| here. and 1t is expectcd that when she next
| appears in port the nearest United States
| diplomatic or Consular officer Will promptly
The, Navy Department this afternoon re-
| ceved u cablegram from Capt. Picking, In
| command OF the United states vessels at Rio
| confirming the news o! Mel!o's departure from
The department was not. however. advised
Of the Departure OF british war ship on the
heels Of tho Aquidabgn. nor has 1t issued any
The Secretary OF the Navy has the utm ost
| confidence in Can't, Pick ing and he will be left
| him best II he considers It necessary ha
| may send one OF his vessels after the rebel
PUT RS hHs IGSs 70 90
| known ON cially ut the BRAZILIAN Legation here
Minister MendoncR usually receives several
cables daily from the brazilian Foreign Ofice
but mono came to-day.
lie thinks so important a piece Of ncws as
Mello's escape would certainly have been COM
municated to him. and. as Tho has heard moth
| ing, he doubts the correctness OF the report.
He is not alarmed for the safety of the two
| steamers. America and NicthcrOy. which are
| en- route from New York to aid the leiNoto
| Government. Both vessels the Minister says.
| could easily run away from the Aquldaban.
! which Is a slow sailer
| Senior Mendonca thinks that the rebel flag
| ship II she really has ESCAPED, will pat In nj
| some Of the large cities on the coast whore the
| friends OF the insurgents may furnish the
crew with food and supplies tie does not be.
| lieye that the rebel Admiral will lombard
these cities. as hs would gain nothing b. such
| a course. and only arouse tho enmIty OF the
Inhabitants