The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-06
BRAzIIS CIVIL CONFLICT.
IRE gRoUBLE BELIEvED TO ne FAs1
<PPRolCHINs A CRISIS.

Capt. Piek:.E Ash- Tor sappie-sutai IU.
strucuous a. Meet Aay E-srCsncy-
rsizoto's Fleet Nearly Ready 90 SAT-,
and Nsvsi Omesrs Tbiuk that the Ne
sisivs Battle VIII ne Fought mt Sea.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 5.-Thc Brazilian situn-
tion Is believed By officials OF the state and
Navy departments TO be fast approaching a
crisis. and IL Is not thought that either side
will be able to hold out many DAYS longer.
Several dispatches received In the last lew
days from Capt Picking give Information
which both departments decline TO give ont.
Capt. Picking says in his messages that tho
impression Is daily growing at Rio that
the trouble has now reached a point
when a crisis may be expected at any
time. and he asks that. as many con
tingencies will probably arise where American
rights may he interfered with. explicit and
supplemental Instructions be given to meet
any emergency. All OF his messages have
been taken to the White House and shown the
President, and OF late there have been several
conferences between him, Secretary Gresham.
and Secretary Herbert over tho situation.
This afternoon there was another important
gathering In the Office OF the Secretary OF
State. at which, besides Secretaries Gresham
and Herbert. were Attorne General Olney and
NHultuNt Nnlcl VI tub NaNlEdllOH
Bureau. TheIatost messages from Brazil wero
discussed. and tho instructions to be given
our naval commanders. Secretary Herbert
represented that our naval force there when
the New York and San Francisco arrived would
be ample to act with decision, and that II was
superior to the com bin ed feet OF any two for
eign powers in the harbor. Attorney g eneral
Olney was present to give his views on any in
ternational law point that might be in doubt.
At the adjournment Of the meeting. 1t is said
that tho President instructed Secretary Her
bert to forward full and detailed instructions
to Capt Picking to guide him in acting when
the next stroke is made. which, 1t is believed.
will be in the next ten days.
-. from Capt. lickinR's detratchesit Is learned
that Da Gamn has been hamperinE American
commerce lately. and but Tor the firm stand
assumed by. Capt Picking and his warning
our vessels we're not to DO moiestsd hy the in.
surgepts. many would have been taken by
Admiral 10 seize them. Can't. PicEinG
informed pa Cana that II any barge carry
n eaTso from the ~W Ve we're mo On
Tested by boats from Da Gamas ships. serious
cc,onseauences would follow Iron receiving
TO seize the barges Capt Pick ing's dispatches
cay further that work is still progressing hy
tion ashore. and that the BON Dardnent is kept
up increasingly from sunrise to sunset, but
with little result to either side.
Minister Mendonca expects the Peixoto fleet
to be ready 10 max a move on the insurgents
inside OF ten days The only boat that may
prevent the fleet sailing for Rio is the dyDa:
mite cruiser rrater. which has been DELAYED
at Martinique and NAV 10 still there. The
Minister received message from her colu-
mnnder early in the week. saying that he
would DO ready to sail on Jan. s. but n. no
word has come OF his departure the Minis
ter Is inclined TO think that he may be there
yet. The arrival OF the pirater and two Eng
lish torpedo boats OF great speed, now on their
way from SOUTHAMPTON. will complete the en-
tire naval strength Ut the Government. and no
time will be lost then In putting to sea and
sailing south to engage Mollo. The Minister
believes that the statements OF Mello's going
south Rre made by the insurgents to throw the
Government of its guard. and that he is in
reality cruising somewhere between Rio and
Officials OF the Administration expect the
present difficulty to be settled at sea- and
naval Ulcers look for ono OF the flercest hat
ties that has been waged for many years. IL
will be the first fight in which all the modern
and improved weapons OF warfare will be
the first where improvised war ships have
been pittrd against fine specimens OF naval
architecture. In the coming battle the dyna-
mite gun and \ large fleet OF torpedo oats Will
figure for he nrst time. and II the predictions
OF Minister Mendonca are fulfilled. these latter
Instruments will prove that they are more de;
structive than high-powered rifles and armored
sides OF battle ships.
A telegram received at the Navy Department
from Rear Admiral Benham reports the
rival OF the cruiser San Francisco at Bahia
this morning. Admiral Renham gave no news
10 his despatch. lie will probably sail from
bahia to-day and proceed to Rio Jnneiro with
out another stop Tho distance from Bahia to
Rio Is 10 miles and can he covered by the
San Francisco In forty eig ht hours.