New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-03
THE AMERICA'S CREW.
NOW THEY JARED UNDER THE BRAZIL
IAN FLAG.

INCIDENTS OFlATHE vOYAGE-HARD LINES AT
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF INsURGENT GAINS.
Penambuco JAN 10 (specaD.-The Words
worth leaves this morning for New-York with
the former officers of the America They had
been brought to Pernambuco with the expecta-
tion of having good positions offered TO them.
but have been turned adrft. Each one left a
more or less lucrative employment to engage in a
service which held forth prospects OF a bright
future. The America left NewYork with good
crew and able complement of officers. 1t came
70 St Thomas coaled and started in company
with its consort, the Nictheroy for Ceara, where
II was TO receive further orders and proceed to
some more southern port. Then came Captain
Crossman's injury. shortly after we left St
Thomas. and the fracture Of the air pump on
the America
The fact Of the fracture is known but the cir
ounstances have never been disclosed 1t was
believed that the break was purely accidental.
but since arrival here facts have been disclosed
which render that belief untenable. One Of the
chief officers has been heard to acknowledge the
responsibility Of the break. and TO claim that 1t
was done at his instigation. Taking in connec-
ton with this the fact that this same officer re-
ported to CAPTAIN Crossman the day before the
accident when the America was making her
very best time that there was something wrong
with the engine which he could not locate. great
appearance OF truth is given TO his assertion.
But there Is another and greater reason Tor
believing that his boast was not the mere vapor-
ing Of a heated brain superinduced by too fire.
quent draughts OF aguardiente The oiler who
was on watch the night OF the accident was seen
in close consultation with one OF Mello's agents
here Immediately after his coming ashore, and
was afterward seen with considerable Brazilian
money. This was before any men had been paid
off. The next day he was seen at the races
betting frequently and largely.
Whether the accident and consequent delay
of the America at st. Pierre primarily re-
sponsible for the removal of all the officers is
hard to say: but that they enter in a large
measure into the reason Is undoubted. Had the
America arrived here before at about the
same time as the Nictheroy all Of the officers
would have been retained But coming, as II
did two weeks after the NictherOy's arrival ana
after the latter's officers had demanded and oD-
tanned unheard-of salaries. the America arrived
to find a people prejudiced. in a measure.
against Americans. and ready TO set them
aside Added to this is the fact that Mr.
Hill the Nictheroy's executive officer. Is
said 10 have propagated report OF
mutiny on board the America with the purpose
Of raising the authorities estimation Of his own
executive ability. Mr. Hill then. 1t Is said.
turned his attention to Captain Baker, with the
hope Of having him displaced. 1t is said that Mr.
Hill claimed that Captain Baker was unfit TO
command because he was only merchant sea-
man. and consequently should not be placed over
naval officers. Captain Baker, however. has
since then been made fleet captain
The officers OF the America feel the injustice
done them keeny Immediately after their ar
rival here their authority practically closed and
while they were not removed for five days after
their arrival they had no more authority than
seamen pack of uncouth. bushy-headed
negroes were sent on board. and while the sail
ors made them stand around pretty lively by
force Of main strength, they gave all 10 under
stand that they were responsible only to the
Brazilian Government for their actions and not
TO any Of the ships officers. In fact an Incl |
dent occurred the night before the officers re-
ceived their order to get off, bag and baggage |
which showed that they were put over the
officers and in complete control OF the snip
Some negroes took possession Of the officers
sitting-room, and were promptly elected They
evidently thought that they were not fairly
treated for in a few seconds the room was sur !
rounded by the blacks. armed with their pistols |
Der had sent up a rocket-a precOncerted signal |
to let the authorizes on shore know that some
thing wrong. In a few minutes two boat |
loads Of marines came alongside. with Captain |
Jose Baptste Dos Neves. the Inspector Of the !
Arsenal. The next day every American was
OF the officers while they packed their |
trunks stealing first thing and then |
another. till pistols had 10 be drawn in defence.
The officers were piled into boat, in which their
baggage was also packed. and rowed TO the |
shore in a drenching rain There they had to !
become their own porters and lug their |
baggage to Oxcart which they had 10 hire !
themselves. Add to that lodging and board at
a very common hotel the Governments
guests deprived by the Governments orders
OF their wine for dinner on account Of extra
expense. and packed three in a room.
Nor have they found the political situation
what 1t was represented. But they did not care
about that They are all honest enough to
acknowledge that 1t was not desire to aid
President Peixoto in his professed intention Of
defending the Republic but rather the money
as willingly for Mello If he had given them as
much money-more willingly if he had paid them
more. But as the matter stands now Peixoto
Is like duck standing one leg because
the other is shot from under him. He loses
daily while Mello gains. Land forces are being
organized all over the country TO go to MeO's
aid. In short while forces will be ready to
march to Rio. If necessary. They Will gain in
numbers from every State through which they
pass, with the possible exception Of the State
Bahaia. In which Da Cana born. Penam-
buco ITSELF which is thought to be loyal to
Peixoto is fast becoming a Mello stronghold |
Imperial flags faunt boldly in the face OF the
Government. The Governor does not hesitate to
acknowledged his allegiance to Meo. The PRO
vencia," the leading newspaper here. sup
pressed few weeks ago for supporting Mello
and decrying the present Government The
authorities looking for Its editor. but cannot
Ind him. Jose Marianne, the associate editor. is
In JAIL or is said to be- He sentenced TO be
shot, but before the time appointed arrived the
sentence set aside. II is said that the people
openly threaten to tear down every public build
ing II he Is executed The result is that ne was
liberated but is under military surveillance
DISCREDITED BY MENDONCA.
BE DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT NICTHERoY HAS
FALLEN OR THAT PEIxoTos FOREIGN
MINISTER HAS RESIGNED