Rock Island Argus., 1894-02-03

Let Gssss - ouos - sAs Fsessgn war
sAips - N H1sse% n lnsargsass Cape-
srs NsetAsssy ~ . Lss q seerss ana
Aaaaaltisa-usss saacy Hsetss.
Rio JAxE1po, Feb. a-Admiral Saldan-
~ da CANA d noe terrified by the thresss
of the foreign poWsss nor intimidated by
the prospect oe beisg blown out of water
by the United Stass gunboatA Eight
torpedo boats, unlsr the insurgsnt ad-
miral's command, asssesaning about the
hay in . thrsatening manner, and the live
liess excitement prevails lest ono Of the
craft commit some act which will turn the
big guns Of the foreign powefs upon
the rebel Aeet. The admh.l
Il thoroughly informed Of the
attitude Of the American, German snd
French commanders In these waters. In
fact, word has been conveyed to him that
there 10 IN agreeDent among the fsprs-
sentatives Of thsss powess that no furfksT
rebel interference With neutral shipping
will be tolerated. This III understood to
mean-and Da Gama b sid to view it in
this light-that - moro firing upon the
ships O1 these - bns WI be followed BY
naval maneuvsR which will end only
M Gaa6es Iaeadeacs.
In the light a this understanding d
strength Of his f1eco q torpedo boats ex-
cites surprise bsrdering on admiration.
As q matter Of fhet ehe rebel operations on
the water have amc0nted to little during
the last two days. Night attacks BY
launches On the arlDnal have bsen futile
and easily rcpulsed. Operations On shore
have been more successful. The town OF
Nicther0y, across the bay from kic, has
surrendered to the insurgents, who gain Il
stores and ammunition by the capitulatien.
They also gain position from which they
command Santa Cruz the important fort at
the entrance to the bay. Other rebel land
forces axe at Rahia, capital Of the state OF
that name, and the port II being blockad-
ed A brisk cann0nade took place between
the insurgeut squadron and the govern.
ment forts on shore. The rebel warships
Almirnnte, Tamandare, and Aquidaban
were slightly damaged, but the forts were
mot much SCARED. Hitherto the insur-
gents have lacked . sufficient supply Of
ri6cs to carry land operations rs far a.
they wished, but nav, having received Q
fresh supply Of arms, are preparing to
disemhaEk part of their force. Govern
ment Wir1s are being cut wherever the
insurgents can reach them.
Da Gana's eency Circular.
Admiral da Cana Issued . circular letter
to the commanders Of the various warships
| In the harbor. It b regarded here as .
defiance. It reads:
AT the beginning Of the revolution Rio
Janeir0 was defended by only six field
pieces and was at the mercy of the SQUAD
ron In the harbOr. The chiefs Of the for
eign naval fleets in collective and unani-
nous vote declared that they would op-
pose with with force . bombardment Of
the city, unless it was provoked from
the land. Peixoto therefore Withdrew
his field pieces. This was Q mere
stratagem. The building of fort works
in the city with heavy and numer-
Gus guns was Immediately commenced,
first secretly, and then openly. All the
hills around the city were fortified. Mon.
asteries and factories were converted into
fortresses and trenches were dug in the
streets. The goverpment soon opened fire
on the squadron. AEe not you to blame
for the change. Should not you force
Peixoto to keep his comPacts The squad
rOn's task Is more arduous and dangerous,
but We will not falter. Our compact will
he kept to the last, but I reserve the right
to reply to the city baAtsEies when desire
without giving notice. The blame Of the
result will he % you"