The Indianapolis journal., 1893-11-14
A Few Persons Killed Now and Then
but No Great Loss of Life Re-
ported on Either Side. :
TO HOIST THE IMPERIAL FLAG
Monarchy Favored at Confer
ence Of the Rebel Leaders.
PeixOto's New War Fleet and the Hopes
of the Government Discussed by
Minister Mendonca.

LONDON, Nov 13.-The Times has re-
ceived the following advices from Rio Ja-
metro: There was heavy firing on Sunday
and Monday of last week by the govern
ment forts on Fort Villiegaignon. The out
side walls OF the latter fort show much
damage, but the interior Of the town is in
tact Two men were killed and seven
wounded within the fort on Monday. The
troops at CASTILLO opened musi1etry fire
on Fort Villegaignon from a distance OF
LOO yards. The insurgent war ship Aquida-
ban replied with machine guns. killing or
wounding twenty soldiers and four spec
tators. The firing continues night and day,
and there is an immense waste OF ammu-
milton. On Wednesday two guns at Cas-
tello were fired at Fort vlllegaignon and
the Aquidaban again replied with her ma
chine guns. Many shells fell in the busi-
ness portion of the city and several per-
sons injured. This bombardment was. it is
feared the result of the action Of the gov
ernment in firing from the town in contra
vention of the agreement made with the
representatives of the foreign powers.
There are continual skirmishes at Nictheroy
between the government troops and the in
surgents' small craft A torpedo launch
was sunk on Wednesday. The casualties
have been slight. Some houses have been
burned at Nictheroy. The gas meter at
Lorenzo has been destroyed. The new gov
ernment cruiser Aurora, built by the ARM
strongs, is expected here daily. The wood
en- cruiser Tamandare, which has been on
the stocks at Rio for long time, has
completed the fitting of her machinery and
will be an important addition TO the in
surgent feet.
A conference was held last Tuesday be-
tween the insurgent leaders which has
changed the situation the much-dis-
cussed question of the restoration Of the
empire The conference resulted in de-
cision to shortly hoist the imperial flag.
This decision created a good impression.
Admiral Cana, the chief of the Naval Col
lege, and the ablest Admiral in Brazil, has
hitherto maintained neutral position, but
he has now openly joined the insurgents
He carries with him the sympathy OF many
adherents in the army and navy who belong
to leading families. A consequence of this
step is gain to the insurgents Of the islands
of Cobras and Inchadas. Admiral Cana
has taken command of the operations be-
fore Rio de Janeiro. A recruiting commits
sion which was sent by the government
into the State Of Minas has returned with
sea to search for the new government
cruiser Aurora.
There are three thousand armed and we'll
drilled insurgents at Desterro. Six thou
sand more surround the government troops
in Rio Grande n Sui, Pelotas and Porto
Allegro. They propose to capture these
towns and proceed to Desterro. The pres
ent situation, If prolonged, threatens dis
aster to the commercial interests of the
| country. A majority OF the business COM
munity considers that the recognition OF
the insurgents as beliigerents would be the
| speediest method of ending the war, as
| Admiral Mello asserts positively that his
sole object is to establish blockades and
prevent further damage to property.
Minister Mendonca Interviewed.
NEW YORK, Nov. 13.-Among the VISIT
| ors to the El Cid to-day was Minister Men,
| donca of Brazil. In an interview with re-
| porter he said: 81 have been criticised for
| having said that the rebels ought TO be
treated without mercy. 1 repeat this with
| emphasis, and hold myself responsible for
| the words. These revolutionists should be
| regarded as band of ruffians would who
| might break into the Brooklyn navy yard
| in the dead of night, take possession of ves-
| sells and munitions of war, sail out into the
| bay and demand a surrender of New York.
| Brooklyn and adjacent cities, under penalty
of bombardment. Admiral Mello and his
| men stole ships and munitions belonging
| TO the Brazilian people and demanded that
the government be turned over to them.
| port of President Peixoto and
| Brazil is fighting with the President for
the preservation of the republic. My latest
adyiceS from Brazil assure me tnat the
people are enliSting themselves in the Ma
| uonal Guard and battling nobly against
| the revolutionsts. 1t is To help them that
] the FL Cid and other vessels are being
+, fitted out. In preparing the fleet there has
been no intention to enlist Americans To
| fight Tor us. Every offlcer ana sailor, as
well gunner and electrician, taken from
New York Is under contract not TO enter
| the war after his arrival at Rio. The mo-
ment the vessels reach Brazil they will be
/ boarded by loyal officers and sailors who
+, have already enlisted, and by these the
| government guns are to be turned upon
Melo l will not make any prediction as
| to the time when hostilities Will cease.
| Melo WILL however, IL IS my earnest con-
Viction, be crushed ultimately, and then
we shall hear of the resumption OF trade
and nothing more Of the booming of guns
and the sacrifice of the lives and property
| OF loyal citizens.
"our ships in my Judgment, are being
/ will require formidable force 70 capture,
| much less destroy them. The ships ordered
by my government will sail under the Bra
| lillian flag. at least after they leave Amer
| lean waters. No secret has been made as
10 their mission. The officers have instruc-
tions to avoid quarrel with the occupants
of even canoe. Should they be fired upon
| by Melos ships before reaching their des-
tination of course, for self-preservation,
| they will fire back. II they are forced To
| do this some one is going 10 get hurt L
fear that our feet Viii not be able to get
or for two weeks, though il Is hoped 10
| start sooner. Every hour is precious. for
| six thousand miles have 10 be traversed.
| and the government needs the vessels as
soon they can arrive at their destination.
| Il know nothing more OF the British de-
| mand that this government interfere and
| stop the war than l have read in the pa
pers. The attitude maintained by the
| United States during the conflict has been
eminently satisfactory to the loyal people
| and to the government OF Brazil The sa-
| lutte given Mellos flag by an American Ad-
| miral was visited with a rebake which
| easily convinced the government that the
| United States is not in sympathy with rev.
| olutionists. There is chance yet II the
| rebels desire a peaceful solution 10 submit
| their differences TO arbitration The post
poned congressional election Will likely take
place in December unless further delayed
by hostilities. If the rebels and their SYM
| pathizers are in the majority they can mani
| fest IL at the polls. but they know they