The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-19
Increase in Wages Demanded by the
NichterOy's Crew.
PEIIoYO'S AGENTS WON'T COMPLY
Fighting Power Of the Vessel May BE
Weakened Much Trouble on the
Mongrel Fleet That Recently Sailed
from New York-Mello Confident

PERxAMBuco, Dec. l9-The Brazilian
cruiser Nictheroy arrived here on Thurs
day with all well in health, but all wrong
from other points Of view.
During the passage the rough and ready
crew shipped in New York were put
through a regular course of instruction in
the duties of man-of-war. Until the
coast of Brazil was sighted the sailors
were in very fair state Of preparation
for an engagement with the enemies OF
Brazil
But the discordant elements noticed
among the crew shortly after we left New
York increased considerably as days wore
on, and much dissatisfaction was mani
tested. "
: Full-Fledged Sailors.
There was an unwritten understanding
that the crew was to be reshipped upon
arrival in Brazil as full-fledged sailors in
the Brazilian navy, and at the same rate
of wages as agreed upon In New York.
At st. Thomas rumors were circulated
that the crew would expect higher wages
upon being formally enlisted, and this in
tention to strike for more money increased
to such point that we had not reached
Brazil before il became known that the
sailors of the Nictheroy would demand
much higher wages before consenting to
be reshipped into the BRAZILIAN navy.
Upon arrival here, the leaders of the
strikers had managed to prevail upon
considerable Of the Nictheroy's crew to
demand increased wages before signing
the articles of enlistment, and the repre-
sentatives OF President Peixoto were so
informed.
The Demands Refused.
President Peixoto's agents, after pa
tiently listening TO the Nictheroy's crew,
consulted with headquarters, and then
quietly but firmly refused to grant the
excessive demands, and made prepara-
tions to ship Brazilian sailors. This may
cause considerable weakening of the
Nictheroy as u fighting vessel, though 1t
is expected that nearly all the officers and
petty officers, as we'll as the better element
among the able seamen, will stand by the
dynamite thrower, and proceed south
with her.
This, however, Is by no means certain.
The crew are of the opinion that the
Brazilian government will have to grant
their demands, as.it is utterly impossible
to obtain any kind OF crew capable of
working the Nictheroy in any successful
manner at this port, or at any other port
in Brazil.
Nothing is known here definitely as to
the whereabouts of our consort, the
America. Should any of the Nictheroy's
officers and crew leave her at this port it
is thought probable that they will be
shipped to New York from here or for
warded to Rio de Janeiro and from there
will have their passage paid back to New
York
Northern Provinces Are Loyal.
There is no truth in the reports of dis
loyalty in the northern provinces. The
Peixoto government is respected by the
people everywhere Dispatches from Rio
de Janeiro say that there was general en-
gagement between the rebel ships and the
government forts on Saturday The gov
ernment forces have captured the island
of Bonn Jesus, where the rebels obtained
their water supply. The rebel warship,
Auuidaban, has returned in a damaged
condition, having suffered from the fire of
the forts. Admiral Mello's position is a
desperate one.
The officers of the cruiser Nictheroy
will receive $4,000 for three months serv-
ice. The members of the crew were
offered S400 for the same length Of service,
but have refused to accept il. The re-
shipment of crew has not been COM
pleted. Admiral Darte will assume COM
mand of the new Brazilian torpedo boat
Aurora A Brazilian crew will take her
south on Friday.