The herald., 1893-12-30
The Decisive Struggle Not
Yet at Hand.
Both Sides Waiting for More
ReinfOrcements.
The Governments Prolonged Inac
tiOn Explained.
Tests of the Nictheroy's Dynamite Gun
Not sstisfactory-Piexoto Fleet
Unable to Cope with the
Rebel Ironclads,

By the Associated Press.
New YORK, Dec. 29.-The Heraljs
Pernambuco dispatch, dated December
29th. says: The officers and crew of the
Nictheroy state the tests of the dyns-
mite gun made on the trip TO this port
from New York were not satisfactory.
1t is claimed the air pipes leak and the
joints are not properly packed. 1t is
understood the Brazilian government
has asked that further tests of the gun
be made. President Peixoto has coun-
termanded the orders OF the minister of
marine with regard to the loyal corvette
Parahyba, and directs that she return
to Pernambuco. ue
CAUSE OF THE INACTIoN.
Rio DE JANEIRo, Dec. 29.-Inquiries
were made today in government circles
as to the cause OF the governments inac-
ton in regard to the Nictheroy and
America. 1t was reported that both
vessels had been delayed at the ports
where they arrived an account of the in
trigues of the agents of Mello. In reply
it was officially stated that the govern
ment does not intend to attack the rebel
war ships until after the arrival of the
torpedo boats purchased in Germany, as
the government force is not considered
strong enough to engage the rebel feet
until these reinforcements arrive.
Representatives OF the government
were asked why it was that these YES
sells, which sailed several weeks ago and
were due here come time ago, had not
yet reached Brszil. The reply was that
the torpedo boats had undoubtedly been
delayed by storms, and two weeks more
might elapse before they reach the coast
OF Brazil.
CANA has not made any progress
worth mentioning eince the last dis
patches we're sent, and nothing new of
importance has occurred up to the hour
this dispatch is sent. The usual ex-
change of compliments between the
rshel warships and government forts
.n0DtinuA WITH sbont tins same reslits-.
SITUATION AT RIO.
LONDON, Dec. 29.-l Copyrighted, 1898,
by the Associated press. The Times
tomorrow will publish the following dis
patch from Rio. December 22d, via
MOut6Vluous OeCou UoI ZOtus
During the past week the custom
house has been closed on account of
firing from Cobras island. The govern
legaignon. The rumor of naval fight
near Desterro is not true. The Tran
dentes and Bahia are now at Monte
video. The Aquidaban and Republica
are at Desterro. General Sslgado, with
HOO men, arrived at. Desterro Wednes-
day from the south. Cana has with
drawn his forces from Governors
island. He states that the number Of
men he can dispose, is not sufficient to
occupy such large island, and he pre-
fers to concentrate his forces on board
the ships.
CANA IN HARD STRAITS.
BvoE Forts Cobrss and Villegaignon
the" insurgents continue firing upon
the shore front, rendering communica-
ton between merchant shipping. and
the sh ,re dangerous. Gama's forces
number 1900, and he proposes keeping
the government in check by harrassing
the troops on the litterol until the ar.
rival of insurgents from the south, and
then attacking the ports northward.
Cana, ii able to hold out until the ar
rival of insnrgent reinforcements, will
probably meet with success.
1 consider the present position of
the insurgents at Rio extremely critical.
Without aid CANA cannot hold out.
The government will await the arrival
of new ships and then attack in force,
opening fire with all the shore artillery,
and using every effort to crush Cana.
The result of the revolution depends
greatly upon the advance of the insur.
gents during the next 10 days.
THE SITUATION IN THE SOUTH.
Advices from the south state that the
insurgent general Saralvo has defeated
1000 men under General Lima on the
frontier of Parana, and is now pursuing
them. Letters received from Rio Grande
do Sui dated December 18th, say 1000
soldiers are in that city and 1000 insur-
gents in close proximity. Advices from
Desterro cay the insurgent army num-
bers 1000, but they are in need of am
munltion.
CANA OFFERS TO RESIGN.
The government has re-occupied Mu-
cangue island after sharp skirmish.
1 spent two hours Friday on board the
lamhuub Will Ohuuh Wullo tuo AImbChO
battery was firing. Four shells struck
the ship, one piercing her starboard
quarter. exploding between the decks
CANA states If any discomfort is appa-
rent on account of his monarchial opin-
Ions, he will offer to resign his COM
mand.
SERIOUS FIGHTING.
ST. VINCENT, Dec. 29.-[Copyrighted
by the Associated Press. delayed die
patches from Pernambuco. dated Decem-
Der 22d, says there was serious fighting
in Aguas Bellas on the 2lst. The SOL
diers attempted to capture Constantin
Rogoberto, who was fortified in house
on hill. In the conflict SO soldiers
were killed. The result of the battle lie
not given. As the dispatch WAS being
sent, the report Of a revolt on the con-
vict island of Fernando de Narohua
was received. Agents Of the
rebel admiral Mello corrupted some
yuarda " no ailOwad mart of the convicts