The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1894-03-23
NEARLY A BUTCHERY.
BRAZILIAN REBELS REFUSED
RIGHT TO SURRENDER.
viudictive Retaliation by President Peix-
oto-Da Cana and Ofcers Seek Refuge
ON Foreign vessels-Melio Plays the
Coward and Traitor.
The War mt an End.

The Brazilian rebellion Is crushed.
and in its stead there bids fair for
time 10 be inaugurated carnival OF
slaughter and butchery. Seeing the
hopelessress OF continuing the strug-
gle, deserted by Admiral Me.lo, who
with the warship Aquidiban was in
parts unknown, Admiral Da Cana OF
the insurgent forces first sought the
services OF the Portuguese charge az
fairs In negotiating with the govern
ment for peace; but that official, acting
under orders from the home govern
ment, assumed neutral attitude. Da
Cana then, in direct communication
with President Peixoto, offered uncon-
ditonal surrender of all the warships
and forts and garrisons with Rio har-
Dor, accepting for him elf and officers
repatriation and sentence OF exile TO
foreign land, on condition of amnesty
to his soldiers and sailors.
When this news became known the
government fleet entered the harbor
quietly. AS the vessels made their
way up the bay they were saluted by
the various government batteries.
The greatest excitement had pre-
vailed in the city. The streets were
crowded with people, and all the avail
able trucks and hand carts had been
busy carrying household goods and
personal effects out OF the city. The
people had fully expected Smelling OF
the city by the insurgent forces, and
1t was generally believed that ter
rife naval battle was about TO be
fought in the Rio harbor. Da Gamas
offer of surrender changed every
thing, and everywhere could be
heard shouts of Viva PeiXoto" and
general acluiesence to the requests
of the insurgent admiral. There had
been much suffering in the city. All
business houses had been closed and 1T
had been very difficult ID get food.
The whole available police force was
persons left the city. Railroad trans
p0rtation to the suburbs was free, and
the government was feeding the poor.
Naturally the populace cheered the
news which they bel eyed heralded the
close of the long and stubbornly con-
tosted insurrection.
But Joy was changed to CONSERVATION
by the announcement that the govern
ment had refused the terms OF Da
Cana, and would open fire upon the
insurgent vessels and forts at noon
Tuesday. The exodus from Rio again
commenced, and at II o'clock precisely
the bar fortress opened fire on Fort
Villegaignon. In short time the
Government forces at Fort Armacao
and Fort Gragoata joined in the bonn
bardment. The fire was not returned
by the insurgents. The bombardment
was continued until 3 o'clock, when it
ceased. CASTILLO, San Benito, Saude,
Curyello and all the city batteries then
opened q furious fire upon Fort Vile
gaignon and the insurgent warship
Tamandre. The fire was also directed
upon the insurgent works at Cobras
Island and at other places. The forces
at Enchadas lowered the hospital flag
and hoisted the insurgent ensign. The
garrison at Governador Island also took
part in the attack on Fort Villegaig-
non, which was badly hammered by
the Government guns. The works on
Cobras Island took fire, but the flames
were soon eXtingri sled. The firing OF
the batteries lasted for an hour. No
great damage was done. The insurgents
did not fire shot.
At o'clock the Government feet
steamed slowly to close action, the tor
pedo boat Aurora leading The other
vessels In the feet were the Nictheroy,
America, Itaipu, Bahian, Tiradentes
and Parahyba, and two steamers and
five torpedo boats. Immediately the
rebels hauled down the white ensign
from one of the ships which was lying
at Enchadas and hoisted signal, which
was answered from ashore. A launch
containing an officer then went from
one insurgent ship TO another, and each
vessel lowered the white flag. Two
boats from the Government feet out
side then entered the bay. One of them
went TO Fort VillegaignCn, and it was
shortly followed by the launch from
the rebel ship. A few minutes later
the white ensign came down from the
fort, and at 5:45 the Government fleet
steame up the bay.
The insurgent war ship Aqu' diban
was not in this harbor. Admiral dc
Mello has proved false TO the en-
peror and to President Fonseca and
President Peixoto. His last act was
treachery to Admiral da Cana.
Where he and his vessel are now is
not known.
The officers OF the insurgent feet
took refuge on board French and
Portuguese war ships. One French
vessel put to sea with many of the
rebel officers on board. 1t is said that
Admiral da Cana is on board the
British war ship Sirius.
Peixotos action In not acceding to
Da Gamas offer Great the greatest
surprise, abroad as well as at W hing.
ton. Such conditi rs were freely &C
corded in any honorable warfa Q IN
| civilized lands, yet TO the surprise of
our administration they had been re-
fused by Peixoto. In spite OF its best
efforts TO be exactly fair and neutral,
yet in the contest in Brazil our govern.
ment, in its desire to protect American
interests, has given color to the belief
that its moral sympathy lay with the
PeiXoto government. So the news that
civilized warfare had been disregarded
and that brave but defeated insurgents,
hemmed in on all sides were to be
refused the chance TO surrender on hon
orablo terms and forced to throw them.
selves upon the mercy of the govern.
ment without any guarantee of their
| lives fell with disagreeable force upon
every official In the government here
who has had 10 do with the troiihla In