The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-09-21
THE TOTTERING REPUBLIC
BRAZILIAN REBELS HAVE ALMOST
CAPTURED RIO DE JANE1Ro.
The Government Defended by One Strong
Fort and Small Army, while the
,.1.. Rebels Control the Harbor and I
are Advancing Rapidly.

| BUENoS AYRES, Sept. l6.-Ofncia
advlces received here announce re-
peated bombardment during the past
few days of Rio de Janeiro, and pri'
vate advices are just received that
Rio has been practically captured by
the insurgents, who are also in pos
session of the town of Nicheteroy, op-
posito Rio. Official advices say Mich
eteroy has been shelled time and
again by vessels, aud the garrison of
Nieeheteroy was finally compelled to
surrender after making gallant re-
sistance. After the surrender OF
Nicheteroy the garrison and civil
guards are reported to have sided
with the insurgents, who received a
large addition to their feet. The
forts for several days remained loyal
to the president and replied warmly
to the fire of the warships,
but the latter are not known
to have sustained any serious injury
and were certainly able to drive the
president and the government out of
Rio.
The president with body of troops
still adhering to his cause are en-
camped at the village of Ianta Anna,
IL milesfrom Ri, where he is await
ing the onslaught of the rebels. In
spite of the seemingly desperate po-
sition in which he is placed, the presi-
dent is not disheartened nor is he
without friends. Official reports re-
ceived here say that congress has
passed vote declaring itself loyal to
Peixotto and sustaining him In his
struggle with the insurgents. The
rebel fleet now numbers nine vessels,
large and small, under COM
mand of Admiral De Mellos.
La addition the rebels have been re-
inforced by naval forces of Cabrias
island, situated in the Bay of Rio de
Janeiro, about q mile from the city.
The fortis one of the principal forts of
Rio and one Of the state prisons, where
the better classes of prisoners, es-
pecially those imprisoned for special
crimes, have been liberated and have
joined the rebels. Fort VillegRgnon
is now said to be holding o neutral
| PooiulOn III ulO IoUolllOu Wlbh u pIOO-
ability of that its garrison will side
with the insurgents in the near future,
Other advices say the garrison OF
Fort Villegagnon has already joined
issue with the insurgents and the lat
ter are having things all their own
way.
Fort Santa Cruz, at the entrance tC
the harbor, is still loyal. Official ad
vices say, and it seems likely that thii
fortress Will. hold out longer than the
others, as the insurgents are said Il
be highly incensed at the resistance II
has made and to be prepared to wreak
vengeance upon its garrison when II
surrenders. 1t is not believed, how.
ever, that the insurgents will act toe
rashly with the soldiers at Santa Cruz
as the policy of the insurgent leaders
since they landed has been one
of Cancellation. This moderation upor
their part is due in great
measure to the fact that foreign wal
ships have had healthy restraining
influence upon the movements and
actions of the insurgents. Fort Santf
Cruz must surrender before many
m)re days pass, for the garrison II
short of provisions and the rebels
have control of the waterways lead
ing to the fort, and they have taker
care that no food shall reach thu
plucky garrison from the land side
reveral attempts made by the troops
OF the garrison to obtain provisions
have been defeated by the rebels.