The evening world., 1893-11-21
MENO0NCA'S PLANS.
=
Brazil's Minister Tells What the
New Warships Are to Do,
Nictheroy and america Will Go
South in Company.
Mcllo's Fleet to BE Destroyed by
Mcllo's Fleet to BE Destroyed by
Dynamite.

Minister MCntOnCa, WHO mas htrn m
trusted by President peiXoto with the
fitting out of Il Brazilian fleet. consented
this morning for the first time to tell
something of the mission of tho NiCthe-
roy and her sister ship. America, the
peaceful Britannia Of three weeks ago.
He first corrected the impression that
the Nictheroy would proceed alone to
Brazil to be followed by America.
las a matter of safety. in case the
vessels should be attacked" he said,
the commanders have been instructed
to proceed together to the place of rem
devious. The Nictheroy, which will de-
part from off the coast some time this
afternoon, will move slowly until over
taken by the America.
THE work on the America Is now
nearly completed. and l have given In
structions to ave her put to sea from
the foot of East Ninth street tomorrow
evening or during the night. If her guns
are not all mounted then the work can
be completed at sea. She will go at full
speed, and being now able to go eigh-
teen and one-half knots, although She
was only a se~Venteen-knot boat when
we bought her, she will probably over
take the Nictheroy in twenty-four hours.
The two ships will then keep close to-
Eether, and will be better able to pro-
tect themselves in case they are at
This statement seemed to indicate the
possibility of a fight, SO the astute
South American who has succeeded in
hitting out a navy in this country with
out mourning the displeasure of Uncle
Sam explained that there is to be no
lighting unless the Nictheroy and the
America are attacked.
Even in this event I have instructed
them to rum he continued, but al
though the sea is large, there are plenty
Of corners to It, and 1t is always well IN
times of war to be prepared.
Il do not think, howeva, that Mello
has n vessels he would care to send
north and to. meet our improvised war
ships. Tn Nictheroy and America are
more than u match for any of his vessels
except the AGuidaban. The latter. of
course, having four big guns. is superior.
abled, and do not believe she has more
than fifty shots on board. Under pres
ent conditions she could not or would
not venture to pass the forts guarding
the harbor Of Rio Janeiro. These facts
led, me to believe that the Nictheroy
and America will safely reach Brazil"
And what has been planned for them
to do them" he was asked.
He hesitated a moment. and then.
with a twinkle In his eye that indicated
more. than guesswork, he said he could
only indicate what he would do with tho
vessels, but, of course. his President
"'"E The "c A]q %i d he said. cannot
leave the port until her machinery, is
roy and America will reach the har-
Dor. The entrance is guarded by forts.
The channel through which the Aquida-
Within + Ho a ha i'm 20 Of pat" the 70 Fo GtTeps Of IS
Santa Cruz. Now, the guns of this
fortress may not be heavy enough to
stop the Aqui1ahan, SO here is where
Then Minister MendonCa drew a man
and continued to unfold a plan of cam
paign.
He would station the Nictheroy behind
the fortress. where she would be safe
from the guns of the Aquidaban. and
have her throw dynamite shells from
the Zalinski gun over Santa Cruz to the
deck of the AGuidaban.
You know the gun can be used as a
mortar" he added. "a man could see
the Aquidaban from one Of the Nicthe-
roy's masts. and at his direction the
gun could he trained. The shells could
be dropped on the Aquidaban's deck as
nicely as you please. and there you
are" said the Minister with a smile
which indicated his belief tina after one
shell was sent on such a mission the
Aquidaban would be at the bottom Of
the sea.
MIR. Mendonca also thought It probable
that the Nictheroy II America would
be used to patrol the coast and persuade
the insurgent merchantmen the PeiXoto
side of the fence Is most advantageous.
Continuing. the Minister said he was
positive that Mello has not declared
for a monarchy.
He is reservinE that as a last card
to play" added MIR. Mendonca, land |
have no doubt he will be forced to MAY
the card before long.
I'm fact, / hope he will. The rebellion
would be just as quickly put down. and
then the question OF monarchy would Ice
forever settled. The war then would
not be without Lood results. Republics.
II seems, must be baptized in blood, and
Brazil might as we'll receive that hap
tism now as again. l am in favor OF
settling internal disputes at the polls,
but II monarchy must be dnwncd with
war, now is the time to do II.
"And when McllO Is conquered, the
leaders of his rebellion should he given
no quarter. Rra2ilians have been too
leniert with their RcvolutioniSts. If
r"hels knew that a rope instead of am
mostly was RwaitinC them they might be
less hasty in declaring war"