The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-31

time. The reason that the other two
ships which had noti1ed Admiral Ben
ham that they wished to go to their
wharves failed to do so was that their
commanders were persuaded from enter
ing the harbor by man by the name of
Rollins, who IS believed to be the agent
OF an English firm which has been fur
nlshing the rebels with money.
DE CANA TALKS OF sURRENDERING.
AT later hour Admiral de Cana con
ferred with his officers upon the advisa-
bilitY of surrendering to the Detroit in
consequence of the musket shots fired.
He was dissuaded from doing so, but it is
thought possible that he may vet decide to
surrender to the American commander.
There is no doubt that Admiral de Cana
is In bad way. A proposed compromise
has been refused by President Peixoto's
government and ii seems to be only
matter of time when de Cana will have
to give up the struggle. The complica-
tlOns of the insurgent situation are in
creased by the absence of Admiral de
MeilO. The failure of the latter admiral
to arrive here to the assistance of the in
surgent fleet has given rise to the
report that he is dead. The commanders
of sixteen warships here, including five
American and four English and French,
have sent messages to Admiral Benham,
CONTEMPLATING him upon his prompt
action. The Austrian commander cleared
ship and made ready to help the Ameri-
can admiral, in case help was necessary.
REPORTS OF GOVERNMENT DISASTERS.
Alarming reports have been received
here OF government disasters at Curutiba,
Paranagua and Antonina. 1t is stated
that these places have been captured by
the Insurgents, and that the government
h Nod l.u, d., I,1s,r
and munitions of war
MAY BE A FIGHT TO-DAY.
Copyright 1894, by the United Press)
Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 30, 9 p. ma con-
f1ict between the American and insurgent
fleets is possible. Admiral de Cana is
angry because the younger lnsurgent
officers are eager to fight. The admiral
said to-day: 'It would be better to be
conquered by foreign power than to
yield later to President Peixoto."
The insurgent steamer Parahyba
anchored in threatening position near
the bark Good News this morning, and
may fire when she starts in tomorrow.
In that case serious conflict is newt
able.
THE SITUATION EXTREMELY DELICATE.
The situation was extremely delicate
when the Detroit was beside the Good
News. The Guanabara and Trajana had
their gnns loaded and aimed on all the
American vessels, while two heavy insur-
gent tugs were ready to ram the Detroit.
The Guanabara and Trajana, together
have eight splendid rifles; but when the
Detroit fired six-pound shell into the
Guanabara and Capt. Brownson warned
them that II gun was fired, even by ac-
cident, he would sink them, and advised
that they take the men from their guns,
they weakened.
DISPOSITION OF THE FLEET.
Admiral Benham had the Newark
ready to assist the Detroit, while the
New York, Charleston and San Fran
cisco were alert to receive the Aequida-
ban and Tamandare, which were under
steam Admiral Benham said to-day:
eff Admiral de Cana was contending for
any principle or position in which any
civilized nation would sustain him, he
ought to make fight, but he is wrong in
law everywhere"
The commander of the Austrian war
ship has asked Rear Admiral Benham to
be allowed to help in case of fight.
The German naval officers applaud
Admiral Benham.
The English officers naturally are in
opposition, while not denying that Ad-
miral Benham's position is lawful.
TALK OF ARBITRATION.
Admiral Benham now has two PROPOSE
tions regarding arbitration, but he will
not reveal them. A settlement by such
means, however, is at present improbable.
While angry at his decision, the insurg-
ents comment upon Admiral Benham's
great courtesy and tact in the negotla-
tions The day before the conflict Admiral
Benham notified the city authorities
that the water front would likely be en-
A consultation Of the senior
officers of the foreign naval vessels will
be held tomorrow on the United States
steamship San Francisco.
RoTHsCHILD BELIEVES THE NEWS.
London, Jan. 30.-Baron Rothschild,
upon being questioned as TO the source
from which he had received a dispatch
announcing the surrender OF Admiral
de Cana, said the cable message came to
him from what he considered to be a
most reliable source, and that he had no
reason to doubt its accuracy.
SECRETARY HERBERT VERSION.
Washington. Jan. 30.-Important news
was contained in q dispatch from Admiral
Benham to Secretary Herbert, received
to-day. 1t is to the following effect: II
seems that Admiral Benham lost patience
with the insurgent forces for their
careless firing in the harbor of Rio. When
Admiral de Cana persisted in this reck-
less course Admiral Benham yesterday
cleared his decks for action. Admiral de
Cana did not choose to take the hint,
whereupon Admiral Benham fired sew
eral shots across the bows of Admiral de
Gama's flagship. 1t is understood that
this action was salutary, and that the
matter ended at this point. 1t Is believed
at the state department that Admiral de
Cana would not willingly court an en-
gagement with the American naval
forces. :. :.
This. in brief, is the dispatch, so it is
said. The complications that may follow
are regarded as likely to be serious. Our
feet at Rio is. Of course, much stronger
than that of the rebel admiral, and 1t is
not likely that the latter would add to the
number of his assailants by engaging IN
conflict with Admiral Benham.
Additional cables were received from
Rio this morning. but they were taken 10
the white house direct. After the caolneG
| meeting Secretary Herbert positively de-
MED the rumors circulated that Admlrai
de Cana had surrendered to Admiral
Benham. but he declined to give further
information.
ANOTHER VERSION STILL.
Washington, Jan. 30, 1l:45 P. M--At a
late hour tonight the following uetalls
are learned concerning the incidents az
Rio Janeiro Previous to Jan, ~ AdIniraI !
Renham had communicated with Aomlral
de Cana warning him against firing upon
American ships, and q refusing 10