The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-02-18

forty-fiYe deaths here yesterday from vel
low fever and fifteen deaths from other
fevers
The United States steamship New York
has gone to sea suddenly. 1t is suspected
States cruiser Detroit left a week ago, in
order to look into the stste of
affairs at Santos. Paranagua and
and Desterro. She had no fever on board
when she left this port.
There are only seven foreign warships
here at present, and there is little doing.
There is absolutely no truth in the SEN
sational report circulated to the effect that
one of the rebel warships recently fired on
the steam launch belonging to the United
States steamship Newark.
The spread of yellow fever is causing
much alarm among the foreign popula-
tion, as of those who die usually Two
thirds are foreigners, and three-Quarters
of those are men. Children and paupers
add considerably to the death list.
The Santuit, the steamship commanded
by Captain Sturges, which arrived in Per-
nam buco on Jan. 90 towing the Brazilian
torpedo boat Pirating, formerly the De-
Btroyer, arrived here last night with 27S
passengers.
Considerable curiosity as well as aston
ishment, has been expressed at the fact
that the much-talked-ofc cruisers America
and Nictheroy fitted out in New York,
have been so inactive. People expected
the NictheroY especially 10 do something
startling with her dynamite gun, but when
she did nothing but cruise outside of Per-
nambuco, and recently made by the bay,
lhe report was circulated that there was
great dlssenslon among her crew, and that
the dynamite gun was useless.
The Associated Press correspondent has
Investigated the inaction of President
PeiXoto's feet, with the result that he has
obtained the following statements from IA
person who should undoubtedly be able 10
sell the true story of affairs:
In the first place, the Nictheroy never
Intended to engage the Aquida ban, and
when it was reported that the Republica,
and the AQuidaban had started in search
OF the NicUheroy, the latter vessel was
ready to do some good steaming In some
direction which would separate her from
the insurgent ships as much as possible.
The following is the plan of operations
which was mapped out for the Nictheroy,
in New York, between the dynamite gun
company's people and the representatives
of the Brazilian government; A perfect
map or chart of the barbor of Rio de Jam
Giro was carefully measured and divided
up into ranges for the dynamite gun pro-
JCSthSS. hC A>lLtHcloy Was JO 10 10 ine
of the harbor of Rio de Jaueiro,
and, from behind the entrance, protected
from attack by the guns of the forts at the
entrance, was to have hurled her huge Gyn-
amite sheels into Fort Villegaignon, sit
uated on the island which has proved of
such great account to the insurgents.
After Fort Villegaignon had been si-
fenced. according to the plans, the Ncthe-
roy WAS to have entered the bay and to
have taken up position behind Fort
and from there, safe from
the fire of the rebel ships, she was to send
her dynamite missiles into the enemy's
fleet. But the facility with which the
Aquida ban and the Republica left Rio
harbor, thus demonstrating the very weak
nature OF the fire which the entrance forts
could direct upon a man -of-war, changed
the plans, and the Nictheroy was to have
sailed for Desterro, the southern strong
hold of the insurgents, with the intention
Of dynamitiDg that place into subjection.
This last plan might have been carried
Dut before this, had il not been for the fact
that the PeiXoto feet has been lying at
and more recently at Bahia,
lnXlouSly awaiting ammunition and sup
plies for its powder guns. The v essel We're
tilted so hastily in New York and there
was so much anxiety to get them south.
that only very small supply of amuni-
ton for the powder guns was taken on
board, it being understood that the re-
mainGer was to follow promptly. But it
seems that the company which was to
ammunition did not keep ND to
It's contract. and the Nicthrov, America
and other vessels of the Peixoto fleet were
ar from ready to engage the enemy, a
act which might have been valuable to
he insurgents had it leaked out before |
his.
In order to conceal the true state of af- |!
Iairs, reports We're spread that the new |
cruisers were awaiting the arrival of Ger |
man torpedo boats, etc; that there was |
lissenslon among the crews, and that the |
dynamite gun WAS out of order and prac- |
,ically useless. The Associated Press |
however, is assured that |
he dynamite gun is in perfect working |
condition at present, and that both the |
and the America have crews
to fight the two vessels There |
vas some leakage 10 some of the supply |
,ipes of the dynamite gun when it WAS
ried after leaving New York, but these
iefects, due to the hasty manner i'll which
he cruiser WAS fitted out, have been
emedied, and the dynamite gun company
las on board the Nict theroy at present an
xpert handler of the dynamite guns, who
'ronounces his weapon TO be in the most
Elective condition.
Finally, by this time, the Nictheroy and
America have received their supplies OF |
IN munltion from the powder companies. |
md are all in good trim.
tltt.tDDN