The record-union., 1894-02-08
Encounter Between the Insurgent
Fleet and Shore Batteries.
FOUR MEN ARE KILLED AND ONE
WOUNDED IN THE CITY.
Rumor at Washington That If Da
CANA Attempts to Blockade the
Harbor of Rio Admiral Benham
Will, If Necessary, Cut His Passage
way Through 1t With Solid Shot.

copyrighted, 1894, by the Associated Press. !
Rio DE JANEIRO, Feb. THE compar-
ative quiet which has prevailed here for
ten days was interrupted yesterday by an
encounter between the Aquidaban and
the forts, followed by an attack by the
rebel fleet and the batteries upon the
shore defenses of the city. Later in the
day another fight took place at Santa
Anna and Ponta da Areia. All the fight
ing. however. only resulted in the killing
of four men and the mortally wounding
of fifth. The loss the rebels sustained
is not known.
The arrival of the Aquidaban was some
thing of a surprise to all. The night Of
January llth was unusually cold. Under
cover of the fog the Aquidaban ap-
preached, and was almost under the
shadow of Fort Santa Cruz before she
was seen. This was at 4:20 A. NJ. In
stantly the firing began from Fort Santa
Cruz, and a moment later Fort st. John
joined in the fight. Little Fort Bage, fur
ther inside the bay, also sent her quota to
increase the hail of missiles which ratified
around the daring Aquidaban. At that
range, however, not a shot reached its
mark, and, without deigning TO reply,
the big black ship passed silently on into
the narrow channel between the fort
reSSeS.
Further on Fort Santa Cruz. not three
hundred yards away from the Aquida-
ban, worked her guns furiously, sending
a plunging fire down upon the decks of
the warship. st. John, mile away, sent
the heaviest projectiles against the rebel
ships broadside, while Fort Lage swept
her decks with raking fire. The ship
could hardly be subjected to more Sc
we're test, and the Aquidaban was ap-
parently uninjured.
For half an hour the fight continued,
until the Aquidaban dropped anchor
alongside the Tamandere, out of range of
all hostile batteries. Perhaps 300 shots
had been fired at ranges of from six h un-
dred yards to two miles, with guns from
nine-inch caliber down to six-pounders,
yet absolutely no damage was done. The
AquidAban, though struck heavily sew
eral tlMes was practically unhurt, while
not single shot from her batteries or
from Fort Villegaignon struck any one of
the Government forts.
Later the Guanabara, one of the rebel
torpedo cruisers, opened fire (at 5:35 A. NJ. J
on the shore batteries erected o protect
the Custom house. Later Cobras Island
and the cruiser Tajano joined the GUIANA
bara, and still later the Libertad, with
Da Gama's flag flying, also came into ac-
ton. The latter. however, contented her.
self with firing three heavy projectlles,
which passed over the shore defenses and
buried themselves in the heart of the city.
The only fatalities reported were
caused by an explosion in the city of a
heavy shell fired by the Guanapara,
which killed four men, namely, Pedro
Mainetti. a policeman; Manuel de Jesus
Gadarela, a shoemaker; America Duarte,
an apothecary, and Manuel Gonzalez de
Silva, a medical student. Fire ceased
after while, only to be renewed at 3
p. NJ against Santa Ana and Ponta da
Areia, where it was replied to by the bat
teries there, and at Madama and Do
Velho. The action was desultory, little
damage being done. Later in the even
ing a few more small shots were fired
into the city, and an unknown man was
badly injured. Contre Admiral Julio de
Noyouha has assumed command of the
Governments naval forces here and else
where.
CHANCE TO TRY THE BIG GUNS.
New YORK, Feb. THE Posts Wash
ington special says: "If Da Cana at
tempts to blockade the harbor of Rio de
Janeiro, Admiral Benham will, if neces-
sary, cut his passageway through it with
solid shot" In such terms Cabinet
member explained to-day the Admins
tration's attitude toward the reported in
tention of Da Cana to establish such q
blockade ''Since the Benham incident
last week." he added, 1--WE have had no
official information to warrant me in de-
nying or confirming that report. The
report is, however, in harmony, without
official information, of Da Gama's inten
tions before the Detroit fired upon his
ship. To make his blockade effective
against any nations commerce, he must
have either that nations recognition of
him as a belligerent or a power to back
up his bluffs. We have not recognized
him as belhgerent."
THE COMING ELECTIONS.
NEW YORK, Feb. IA HerdtdS special
dispatch from Rio says: Peixoto has
issued a decree calling for general cleo
tons on March 1st, when a President,
Vice President and members of Congress
will be chosen. He has also directed that
the state of seige shall end February Goth.
1t is generally expected that DIR. Pru-
dente de Morraes will be the successful
Presidential candidate, and Dr.. Victorine
Perierra chosen Vice-President. Ardent
Republicans it is believed will name Ruy
Barseray in opposition to DR.. Morraes.
Their candidate for Vice-President is not
yet known.
The United States representatives have
refused Da Gama's application to be
granted belligerent rights. They are
Keeping a close watch on the attitude OF