Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-08
DA CANVAS BOLD DEFIANCE.
He Gives Forty.elght Hours Notice TO the
Powers OF His IWtention TO BLOCKADE
Rlo--A Crisis mt Hand.

He Gives Forty-elght Hours Notice TO the
Powers OF His IWtention 10 blockade
Rlo--A Crisis mt Hand.
LONDON, Feb. 2.-.Tho commanders OF
the various waiships at Rio janeiro, nave
received from Admiral Da Cana the
following circular letter;
at the beginning Of the revolution,
Rio Janeiro was defended by only SIX
field.pieces and was at the mercy OF the
squadron in the harbor. The chiefs OF
tho foreign naval fleets, in a collective
and unanimous vote, declared that they
would oppose with force bombardmGnt
of the city, unless it was provoked from
the land.
"Peixolo therefore withdrew his field
pieces. This was mere stratagem'
The building of fort works in the city
with heavy and numerous guns was
Immediately commenced, first secretly
and then completed openly. All hills
around tho city were fortified Monas-
teries and factories were converted into
fortresses and trenches were dug III the
streets. The government soon opened
fire on tho squadron.
"Are not YOU to blame for the change
Should not you force Pcixoto to keep
his compact? The squadron's task is
more arduous and dangerous, but We
will not falter Our compact Will DC
kept to the last, but | reserve the right
To reply 10 the city batteries when /
desire, without giving notice. The blame
| of the result will be OH you"
Admiral Bcnham, commanding the
American squadron, replied that he
would not interfere with military opera
tions, but would protect American yes
| sells.
FoILEp IN AN ATTACK on NIcrIERoY.
RIO JASEIRo, Feb. 5.--Almiral Da
Cana, commanding the rebel fleet, has
given as hours notice that he will block
ade Rio and has disposed his ships so as
to absolutely prevent foreign commerce
from entering or leaving the port.
This step is intended to assert belliger-
ent rights for the insurgents. The action
of the foreign commanders is awaited
with anxiety.
Practically Da Gama's announcement
of blockade is direct challenge to all
the foreign powers to Interfere by force
to maintain their position.
They hold that as q rebel, not recog-
nized as u belligerent, according TO in
ternational law, he has no right to close
the port TO merchantmen.
Admiral Benham's determined action
week ago in behalf Of American COM
merce has now brought the question Ia
head. Since that time ships have
come and gone at the wharves without
hindrance, and the chances of Ds
Gama's success have daily grown dim.
mer.
Now the rebel admiral plays his last
card in desperation. The foreign com
manders must yield and recognize him
as legitimate belligerent or they mus
treat him as pirate and oyerpower hin
with their warships. Serious events
threaten in tho next few days.
Da Cana arranged to land troops q
Nictheroy yesterday, as he had been in
formed that two regiments of the ma
toual guard, stationed near that city
were likely to desert the government q
soon as an insurgent force appeared
The plan was discovered ashore and til
landing was abandoned. The nationa
guards showed no signs of disloyalt,
whenapproached by Admiral Da CANA
agents.
Inc London Tunes correspondent ha
had an interview with Da Cana, il
which the admiral reiterates that recon
Citation is impossible unless PrGsiden
Pelxoto hands the reins of government
to Moraes, president Of the Senate, am
the question of the form of government
SHALL be submitted to plobiscitc. ]
Moraes declines to act, Cana says, til
rebels will consent to have two fror
each side control the government, pend
, ing an election.