New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-18

INTENSE INTEREST IN THE EXPECTED CON
FIICT IN BRAZILIAN WATERS
COMPARATIVE STRENGTH OF PEiXOTO'S AND
MELLO'S FLEETs-NEwS EXPECTED soon.
LEY rTIEGEAPH TO THE TRIBrNkl

COMPARATIVE STRENGTH OF PEIxOTo's AND
MELLo's FLEETs-NEws EXPECTED SOON.
rsy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBryEl
Washington Dec lit IS the opinion OF Minis
ter Mendonca that the present Brazilian difficulties
will shortly be settled by decisive sea battle be-
tween the Government vessels and those Of Mello.
This opinion is shared by Naval officers who
have been closely watching the news from Rio The
only contingency likely to arise which would modify
this programme is the conduct OF Admiral da CANA
in Rio Harbor Should this new and important
recruit to the ranks of the insurgents conclude to
shell the CITY, and succeed in capturing 1t and win
ming over the cause Of the rebels the sympathy
Of many lukewarm supporters OF Pe!xoto. sea
fight may not be necessary. In any other event
Naval officers believe that the strength Of the war
ring factions will be settled at some point In the
Atlantic near Rio or Santos. where Admiral Mello
with the Aqudaban. and probably one or two other
vessels. is anchored.
In view Of the probabilities In the case II II
important 10 consider the relative merits or the
opposing fleets which would be engaged In combat.
If Peixoto hold out until about the middle
Of January. he will be able to bring together a
feet which Mello will have great dificulty In over
coming BY the time mentioned Pexoto can con-,
centrate at Rio the Richueo. Benjamin Constant
Nictheroy. America. Aurora and Pirating. and the
torpedo-boats carried down from New-York by tho
two converted steamers. 1t is probable that the
FIVE torpedo-boats purchased by Peixotos agents
In Germany will assemble at Rio or some neigh
boring port the Brazilian capital about the
same time The Constant left Toulon, where she
had been undergoing repairs. few days ago AL
though her destination Is kept secret, II Is as
sumed that she will join the Nictheroy and America
at their rendezvous and there await the arrival OF
the Richuelo, which is expected 10 sail from Tou!on
shortly. With the exception Of the latter. none OF
Pe,xotos feet are armored vessels The others
nj witt m qualities
and with smart handling they are expected to make
good showing
Mco's nsurgent feet includes about twelve
vessels OF all kinds. His mainstny IS the battle
ship Aqu!daban or his other ships. the Repubca Is
probably the most effective. The remaining YES
sells which could leave port not armored. and
their guns not of the modern type. Mellos
torpedo-bocts slow. and probably not we'll
handled The rest of his fleet is made up OF sew
eral converted steamers. upon which small rapid
fire guns have been mounted. The great battle
would be between the Aqudaban and the Rchu-
clio. Both good vessels OF modern type and
evenly matched in armor. guns and speed.
Each is Of about GOO tons displacement. and has
OF ten and eleven inches thickness covering the
vital parts. Upon each mounted four 9-inch
cotton guns: six 5i,-nch 5-ton guns. and fifteen
small rapid-hre and magazine guns. The result
Of an engagement, between the two ships would be
doubtful Victory would probably belong TO the
vessel which better handled.
Peixotos Benjamin Constant Is unarmore1
vessel Of 2.750 tons displacement Her battery Is
composed entirely OF rapid-fre guns. ranging from
one-pounders to 6-inch guns In her main bat
terry she carries four C-inch and eight finch
guns. She is also fitted with four torpedo tubes.
The Constant would be good match for Mellos
Repubca Comparing the converted steamers the
odds with the Nictheroy and America Beside
having many rapid-fre guns as the steamers
OF Mellos feet. they have dynamite gun apiece.
The officers and crews OF the Nictheroy and the
America regarded much more efficient than
those on board Mellos craft This fact will have All
important bearing on the results OF an engagement
naval officers say AZ between the torpedo boats
Of the contendng parties. Pexoto has the advan
tage. His boats are more modern In every way
than those Of Meo.
The uncertain quantity In the whole question Is
the number Of serviceable vessels under Mellos
command. IT, as II supposed 10 be the case. only
two OF Mellos regular cruisers are NJ for work at
sea- Peixoto's navy. when all his vessels have come
together will prove superior TO that OF his adver-
sary. and Rio harbor will be cleared OF the insur-
gent sea force.