The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-30
Why President Peixoto Does Not
Attack the Insurgents.
A DYNAMITE GUN WON'T WORK
The Rebel Commander at Rio Must
Surrender Unless Reinforced.


PERv.ssuco, Dec 2a--TNew York Her.
aid Special. The officers and crew of the
Sieiheroy state that the test of the dyna-
mite gun made on the trip 10 this port
from New York was not satisfactory. 1t
il claimed the air pipes leak and the joints
are not properly packed. II is understood
the Brazilian government has asked fur
ther tests OF the gun to be made. Peixo;o
has countcrmanded the orders Of the min
lister Of marine with regard 70 the loyal
corvette Parahayba. and directs that she
return TO Pernambueo.
LONDON. Dec. 29-The Times tomorrow
viii publish the following dispatch from
Rio. December -, via Montevideo, Decem-
Der IS:
During the past week the customs house
has been closed on account of firing from
Cobras island. The government forts
continue pounding Fort Viiiegagnon.
The rumor of q naval fight near Desterro
is not true. The Tiraientes and Bahia
are still at Mon;evideo, and the
Aquidaban and Repubiica at Desterro.
Gen. Salgado. with LOO men, arrived at
Desterro "Wednesday from the south.
Cana has Withdrawn his forces from
Governors island. He states that the
number Of men he can dispose of is not
sufficient to occupy such . large island,
and he prefers to concentrate his forces
on board the ships. From Forts
Cobras and viiIegaguon the insurgents
continue firing upon the shore front, rem
dering communication between merchant
shipping and the shore dangerous. Gama's
4 =
ing the government in check by harrass-
ing the troops on shore until the arrival of
the insurgents from the south, and then
attacking northward. II CANA is able to
hold out until the arrival of the insurgens
reinforcements he will probably meet
with success. consider tho present no
sition of the insurgents at Rio
extremely critical. Without aid CANA
cannot hold out. The government will
await the arrival of the new ships and then
attack in force. opening fire with ell the
shore artillery and using every effort to
crush CANA. The result of the revolution
greatly depends upon tho advance of the
insurgents during the next ten days.
Advices from the sonth state that Gen.
Saraivo has defeated 2,000 men under Gen.
Lima on the frontier OF Parana and is now
pursuing them.
Letters from Rio Grande d o Sui Decem-
ber II say that 600 soldiers are in that
city and 400 insurgents are in close
proximity. Advices. from Desterro say
the insurgent army numbers 14o0o.
but are in need of ammunition. The gov
ernment has reoccupied Mugangue island
after o sharp skirmish. spent two hours
Friday nm hoa ri fha ur,th
while the Armacao battery was firing.
Four shells struck the ship, one piercing
her starboard quarter and exploding be-
tween decks. CANA states if any discon-
tent Is apparent on account of his mon
archial opinions. he. will offer to resign
command.
Rio JAsEIRo, Dec. 29.-Inquiries were
made today in government circles as TO
the cause Of the governments inaction in
regard to the Nictheroy and America. 1t
was reported that both vessels had been
delayed at the forts where they arrived on
account of intrigues of agents of Meilo. In
reply il was officially stated that the gov
ernment does not intend to attack the
rebel warships until after the arrival of
torpedo boats purchased in Ger
many, as the government force is
not considered strong enough to engage the
rebel fleet until these reinforcements ar
rive. Representatives of the government
asked how 1t was that these vessels, which
sailed several weeks ago and were due
here some time ago, had not yet reached
Brazil. The reply was that the torpedo
boats had undoubtedly been delayed by
storms, and two weeks more might eiapse
kAf hav ~ka1 ha NF
CANA has not made any progress worth
mentioning since the last dispatches were
sent, and nothing new OF an important ma
ture has occurred up to the hour this dis
patch is sent. The usual compliments be-
tween the rebel ships and the government
forts continue, with about the same re-
suit
sr. VrScxSr, West Indies, Dec. 2a.-A
delayed dispatch from Pernamouco, dated
December p. says there was serious fight
ing in Aguas Bellas on the list The SOL
diers attempted TO capture Constantin
Rogoberto. who had fortified house
on the hill. In the conflict fifty
soldiers were killed. The result
OF the battle was not given. In
the dispatch was sent report OF revolt
on the convict island OF Fernando de
Noronha. when agents OF Admiral Mello
corrupted some of The guards. who allowed
part of the conyicts 20 get arms They
revolted. intrenched themselves and were
threatening 10 capture the fort and turn
the insland over TO the rebels. A number
OF guards and soldiers we're killed in tue
conflict. Insnrgent war vessels are expected
there TO help liberate all the convicts, TO
the number of 1 900 or 1000, and take them
20 Rio 10 tight the government. 1t is un-
Gerstood government cruiser has been
sent there 10 suppress the revolt and de-
lend The is.snd against the insurgents
Rio JASEIRo. Dec 2l-The foreign
diplomatic representatives have refused
the formal demands for recognition as
belligerents made by Admiral De Cana.
commander of the rebel forces in the sb-