The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1894-03-11
A NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.
PBIxoTo's FLEET ENTERS THE
HARBoR OF RIO.
Dynamite Cruiser EiCthoroy and Sew
eral Torpedo Boats Take Po-
sitions Near Forts,
BATTLE WITH DYNAMITE EXPECTED
AT ANY MOMENT.
BenhOm Wants 20 Sec All the fun.-A Deies.
ton from the Ranks Of the Insurgents
salgadO Disbands His Troops,

Rio de Janeiro March 1o.--(Copyrighted
1894 by the Associated Press )--rhcre now
eecma 20 be II definite prospect OF IA naval
hattie ana prompt ending 10 the rebels
lion 80 FAR as Rio ia concerned.
The dynamite cruiser Nictheroy. the
torpedo boat Aurora and the torpedo boaa
Destroyer, backed up by three OF tho
torpedo boats brought over from Ger
many, have arrived here. Tor some time
past II has been known that Piexoto's
fleet was on the entrance OF tho bay, but
the six yessela mentioned did not pass tho
forts at the entrance or the hnrhor untl
shortly before daylight this morning.
When the eun rose the Pcixoto Meet was
aeen 20 be anchored between Fort Sac
IaoA and the famous Sugar Loaf fort.
The government fleet is thus In u smau
inlet or bay at the entrance OF the har-
Dor aud well protected by The gums OF
Fort Santa Cruz as weN as by the gums OF
the two forts already referred 70.
1he Nlcthcroy, from the position which
bbe now occupies "a expected to he able
to throw her dynamite shells at Fort VIII
lcgnlgnon, and when Nnlogaignon h1a
been silenced Il Is expected that the Nich-
tharoy and her oonsorts win take up
sheltered position behind the island ON
which Nillegaignon fortifcntiun stands
aud from there shell tho rebel fleet while
Il rs protected from the INV Of tho heavy
guns of the instnS6nt ship, The Parma
uoga, formerly iac guard ship at Pornam-
buco nnd the cruiser America are OUT
side Tie h.sy watching, II Is presumed.
aGstinst uuipriae ON the part of tho
Aquiiuban or other rebel ahpR
An the inaurBent war vessels as well as
the government fleet have cleared for nc-
ton and q battle now seems imminent.
The United states cruiser San FronciseO.
The tlqgahip Of Admiral Benaem. has an
ohored In most peculiar position near tho
small island on which Fort Stage stands.
No better nositdH could have been ChoEen
by the United States ndmiral for Judging
the efficiency of the handling of the dynn-
mite guns aud for noting The effect Of Tho
shots. as the San branclgco iH n little Lass
than half way between the anchorage OF
non The United States war vcssols, iW
this dispatch ia sent, are just outside tho
hmhor, and u y presumed that They may
come inside when the action commences.
The general opinion seems 10 he TINT tho
naval brittle viii commences tonight or toe
night For some reason or other
that the cngnBemenl must he fought at
night time
ceived here today. from Porto Allegro. cap
itHl az Rio Gmnde do Sui. are to the ef-
fcct that the Insurgents IN that state have
received a severe blow through the defec-
ton from their standard OF General Sal
lrado. who, until recently, had been am enc
thuslaatic supporter Of The, rebel cause. 10
gents and has disbandcd tho 1000 soldiers
who were under his command.
" "a supposed that the election OF civil
hns to the gniocs OF president and vice
president has had some effect on the ntti-
Jude Of General salRH1o. who refused to
Ihlde by dhe military despOtlRm Of Pexotn.
Friends Of the brazilian government hero
sny that General Salsadu'H desertton was
an evidences that the rebellion IN Rio
Iiraude do Sui Is going 10 pieces because
" it's own Inherent weakness
london March loMr Christopher
TurneBs, member OF parliament for llar-
.lepool, head Of the firm OF lfurness, Wit
boy & Coz gtcnmahp builders and SLIP
lwncrB has received the following cable
message from Rio Do Jnnelrp, addressed
20 him by the masters ~ the British
now nj that port
"'rhe American navy ~ rendering the
necessary assistance In landing the sick
md supplying water Our navy refuses
% grant such assistance. Can you do
lnythlng In our behnlt7 Mortality terri-
lie only hospital available IL ten miles
rom anchorage"
Mr. Furneag Immediately upon receipt
II this cablegram telegraphcd TO the for
IGN office, agking that instructions be
ent to the British commander at RIO do
Ianelro ordering or authorizing him 10
cnder the nccrasnry assistance.