The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-23
ANOTHER RIO RUMOR
Brazil's Capital Reported to Be
in the Rebels Hands.
President PeixOtO Said to Have Re-
signed in Favor of MellO and to
Be Prisoner of War;.
DOUBT CAST ON THE STORY
No Confirmation Received by
Washington Officials.
Dervishes Slaughtered by Italians
MatabeleS Whipped Into Submission
Peru and Ecuador at Outs.

NEW YORK, Dec 22.-The correspondent
of the Associated Press al Pernambuco,
Brazil, cabled as follows to-day: The most
startling and sensational rumors are in cir
cuation here. 1t is said that the insurgent
fleet, after two days of desutory fighting
with the government troops, have made
determined and successful attack upon Rio
de Janeiro, which has resulted in the cap
ture of that city. 1t is added that Presi-
dent Peixoto has resigned the presidency in
favor of Admiral De Mello, and that Peix-
otto is a prisoner in the hands of his enc
mics. These are the facts as they have
reached here, but it is right to add that
the authorities of Pernambuco who have
been questioned on the subject doubt the
truth of the startling news, which is in gen.
eral circulation here. The Associated Press
correspondent is doing his utmost to find
out the real facts in the case, but he is
unable TO obtain any reply to his messages
sent south and messages from the cor
respondent at Rio have apparently been in
tercepted, which would give color to the
report that something of an extraordinary
nature has occurred.
A cable dispatch from London says: The
report Of the capture of Rio de Janeiro by
the insurgent forces reached this city after
the close of business hours AT the clubs
and in all public places the rumor was
eagerly discussed. The Brazilian minister
besieged by inquirers and in reply to
questions on the subject the minister said
that the last cable message which he re-
ceived from Rio de Janeiro was on Dec.
20. when the Minister of Marine said that all
was right at Rio
A Buenos Ayres dispatch says: A severe
engagement between the Brazilian insur-
gents and the government troops Is reported
to have taken place at ltajahy, north of
be four hundred, and in addition a very
large number are said TO have been
ported TO have captured the rebel Brazilian
war ship Madoro.
Advices from Montevideo state that cor
respondent in Rio de Janeiro sends word
that San Berja has fallen into the hands of
the rebels. 1t has also been learned that
the steamer Soils, towing a launch which
contained much ammunition for the royaliSt
forces. has reached Rio Grande. The Soils
hadta very rough voyage. PeiXoto Is organ
iZing a fleet of ten vessels in the north
which will consist of cruisers and torpedo
boats. News has been received from Santa
Catharina that General Savaires Is contin-
uing his march toward Rio. lie is expecting
the reinforcements which have been prom
ised General Savaires will continue the
Marine has declined the offer of the Portu-
guese cadets to enlist in the service of Bra
I'll. In consequence of Admiral Da Cana,
chief of the naval school, having been de-
clared a traitor the school is closed. The
officers and pupils must however, report
daily or be declared deserters and rebels.
Doubt Cast on the story.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-The Associated
Press has investigated every possible ave
nue. of information in Washington as to
the rumors in Pernambuco that Rio had
fallen and that President Peixoto had re-
signed and was prisoner, but neither in
official nor diplomatic circles has any word
been received which confirms the rumors.
This failure of all departments and inter-
ested legations to receive information, much
less ratification of such an important sub
iect is so uniform as to lead officials and
diplomates TO the conclusion that the ru-
mors current in Pernambuco are premature
at any rate.
At the Navy Department no such start
ling news has been received from Captain
Picking, in command of the United States
naval forces at Brazil. He is directed to
report promptly on any important changes
of the situation. and has thus far done go.
Pexoto authorities does not extend to Of
fetal dispatches from naval and diplomatic
officers. The conclusion in naval circles IS
almost irresistible that the failure to hear
from Captain Picking means that the Per-
nambuco rumorS are not true, as yet, at
any rate. particularly as Picking is at the
scene of action, while the PeInambuco peo-
pie are many miles removed from Rio At
the State Department there is no word
whatever from Minister Thompson or any
one else in Brazil. and the department Of
fcials can hardly believe that they would
be kept in ignorance OF the overthrow OF
q government and the capture of n Presi-
dent.
Minister Mendonca. of Brazil, and his
son and secretary have been absent in New
fetal cables from Brazil 10 the minister
continue to come TO the legation during his
absence. whence they are repeated to New
York 1t was learned there that no cable
had been received since the minister left
1t stated the opinion OF a Brazilian
urofficiallv connected with the legation that
the report Of PeiXOtos resignation could
not be true. HE would never resign il
said. He might be overcome crushed
shot, or anything else, but resignation inn
plies a voluntary act. and Peixoto would
never resign.
DR.. Zeballos the Argentine minister has
special facilities for information from Rio
the capital of his country. Buenos AyreS
is connected with the Brazilian capital and
keeps informed of the changes at Rio DIR
Zeballos interested in Pernambuco ad-
vices. He read them carefully and said
''Buenos Ayres is the New York of South
America and would undoubtedly know of
any such important result in Brazil. Rut T
have received nothing, and | doubt the re-
port. / know Admiral CANA and M5lo
and appreciate their fighting ability. but
they have no force strong enough to take
a city like Rio. with 100000 inhabitants
particularly when President Peixoto has
6eO soldiers TO repel an invasion. What
is most likely Is that the reports are based
on the facts that the rebels have taken
some outposts or part of the city,