The morning call., 1894-02-04
SEIZED A TUG.
PeiXOtO Is Seriously
Involved.
MAY OFFEND ENGLAND
Unlawful Course of the
. Cardiff.
HAD DYNAMITE ON BOARD.
Which She Was Taking to an
Insurgent Ship.
STOPPED BYBRAZILIAN OFFICERS
Fear That the Incident May Lead to
the Most Serious Con-
sequences.

Rio JANEIRO, Feb. "A fresh sensa-
tion was created yesterday by the sum-
mary seizure of British tug by order of
PeixOto. The English friends of MellO
and Da Cana, it has been asserted, have
not only given ammunition to the lnsur-
gent sailors, but have also attempted TO
supply them with dynamite. The boat
captured by PeixOto's men is the tug Car
diff and is the property of an English coal
company. She arrived here some days
ago, loaded with coal. which she dis
charged, and she has since remained in the
harbor. Shortly after she left the wharf
she was overhauled by one of Peixoto's
boats. and the Brazilian officials went
aboard, despite the vigorous protests of
the captain.
The Cardiff was taking dynamite to the
insurgent warship TraJanO and the Bra
lillian officials compelled the cartain to re-
turn to his wharf, where the dynamite
was taken ashore and put in possession Of
the Government.
The matter was reported by the captain
of the tug to the British officials, but
nothing so far has been done except
cabling the captains statement and Pick
oto's reasons for making the seizure 10 the
Home Government.
The action of Great Britain over this in
cident is awaited with much interest.
English residents here are disposed to con-
demn PeiXoto and to grow indignant over
what they term the ill-treatment of the
Cardilf's captain. but in all other quarters
PeixOto is considered justified in doing
what he did. Outside of the English
colony, Great Brtain's pTetense about OBJ
serving neutrality between The belliger-
! ents receives little eredenee, and people
cannot imagine how she will explain so
violent breach of faith with Peixoto.
1t is believed that the rebel warship
Republica is lowering around near Santa
Cruz and will in a short time try to land
troops. These troops are intended to
march against Nictherey aud join in a
ombined attack with the naval fleet upon
that city.
Da Cana has again asked the Foreign
Ministers in Rio to recognizes the insur.
gents as behgerents. They have, how
ever, up to the time of sending this dis
patch, made no reply to the message.
| News has been received here of battle
at Curitiba, 10S miles west Of Paragua, on
the left bank of the Curitiba River. a,
| first the Government troops seemed to
have the advantages; but the insurgents
regained what they had lost, and finally
drove the enemy from the field. 1t is said
that between 5000 aud 1000 men were en-
gagged on each side, and the Government
troops had 200 killed. The insurgents also
suffered considerable loss.
Admiral Mello has apparently recovered
from his recent illness, and word Is re-
ceved that he has been very active within
the past few days in the southern part of
the republic, and has succeeded in sending
| 1000 men north. The victory of the in
surgents at Curitiba will undoubtedly
lead to the two insurgent forces joining in
| an advance upon the north, and. as
Peixoto is making every effort to check
them, an engagement between the oppos-
ing forces is imminent near Santos.
CopYright.