Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-11
BAD SNUB FOR PERU.
Admiral McCann Alleged to Have
Shown Scant Courtesy
TO THE PERUVIAN PRESIDENT.
Official Party of Visitors Sent Hungry From
McCann's Ship.
COMMODORE RAMSEY GIVES HIS VIEWS
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE prsp.rcr.1

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIspATcH.l
New YORK, Aug. 10.-Advices from
Lima, Peru, under date of July IA, contain
the following: On Wednesday Admiral
McCann and ten of the officers of the Amer
Scan warships Baltimore and Pensacola
called upon President Bermudez and were
presented by Minister Hicks The Presi-
dent returned the Admirals visit on Satur-
day, He came on board the flagship Balti-
more, lying near Callao, in boat from the
Peruvian cruiser Lima, flying two Peruvian
flags, and was accompanied by his Ministers
of War and Navy, Minister of Finance and
four members of his staff in full uniform.
AS the Presidents boat appeared in the
Bay of Callao the yards and rigging of the
Lima and Pensacola were filled with men
and each ship saluted as the boat passed.
As soon as the President reached the quar-
ter deck of the Baltimore and had been pre-
sented to the Admiral and Captain Schley,
O salute of p guns were fired from the Balti-
more and Pensacola, and the Peruvian COL
ors hoisted on the foremast of the Baltimore.
The Presidential party WAS shown through
the ship and expressed great admiration for
the big guns, the splendid machinery, elec-
tric lights and armament of the Baltimore.
Every man and officer on board was in his
place on deck, and the handsome ship
showed to good advantage. At O'Clock the
President and his party retired and after
short visit to the Lima returned to Callao.
SAD LACK OF COURTESY.
A singular feature of the visit was the fail.
ure to offer the President and his party any
thing in the way of refreshments. 1t is Gus
tOmaTy to offer even ordinary visitors on
board ship some slight refreshment, but
this courtesy on this occasion was either
overlooked or purposely withheld. A partyof
ladies from Lima had been invited on board
by the Admiral, to assist in receiving the
President, but they were placed on the poop
of the ship and were permitted to take no
part in the reception. After remaining ex-
posed to the fierce rays of tropical sun all
the afternoon, without an awning and with
out chair to sit on, the party returned to
Lima, hungry and thirsty, without having
met the President at all, and having a poor
opinion of American courtesy and hospi-
tality.
The Baltimore went to Sweden last year
with the body of Ericsson, and was visited
by the King and the Queen OF Sweden and
the crowned heads of Denmark and Por-
tugal, SO that it is not to be supposed that
the conduct of the officers was the result of
shat the Officers did not Consider the Peru
Wan President of sufficient importance to
sustify any further civilities than those re-
quired by the articles of war.
AMERICANS INUNDATED.
The affair has deeply Inundated every
American in Callao and Lima. 1t is the
more noticeable because the Peruvians are
an exceedingly polite and hospitabIe people, |
and the President is warm friend of the |
United States. |
William S. Clark, an en- sign on board the |
Baltimore, was tried by courtmartlal last |
week, charged with drunkenness. The ver- |
dict was sealed and transmitted to the Navy /
Department, but it is understood that he is
dismissed in disgrace. He is sent home on
{ he Pensacola under arrest, pending the
official PRONUNCIATION of the verdict. Clark |
j from New Jersey, and entered the navy in
A dispatch from Washington says: Ad-
miral Mccain has gone to New York, but 1
talked freely about the story
from Peru that Admiral Mccain had failed /
TO offer refreshments to the President of
Peru and his Cabinet when they visited the |
Baltimore in Callao harbor on July IL.
A PERTINENT QUESTION.
Commodore Ramsey began by asking a
question: when head of a government,
in his capacity such, visits the vessel of
another government is it the duty of the
government owning the vessel or the officers
Of the same, to furnish refreshments"
The Government of the United States
does not provide for any such entertain
nent."
4
Of friend formally, do you expect him to
set out meat and drink? If he returned the
visit would you set out meat and drink?''
Most aSSuredly not. Now, the President
Of Peru called on Admiral McCann officially |
10 return the official visit of the United
states officer. No refreshments were served
nor expected. 1t would not have been the
proper thing. 1t was an official call, without |
an especial invitation, and everything was
done that etiquette and custom called for.
1t is not the custom of the country to give
11sa--e f2rTVa l.
return your calls"
q do not know who sent the dispatch or
etter from Peru" continued Commodore
Ramsay. but l can say with all certainty |
hat il was written by some person who at
aches himself to the Presidents party ex-
lectng to get something to eat and drink.
De was disappointed.
CURSE OF FOREIGN PORTS.
NO one else could have written such a
ale to the United States for they would |
Iave known that refreshments on such an |
occasion would have been surely out of |
)lace. No, that is the curse of foreign ports
People are always hanging about these |
places in hopes of getting on war vessels to
5et good square meal, and this story comes
rom one of these"
The question of naval officers entertaining |
Oreign officials when they called on them on |
-esSels is an old and embarrassing problem |
Il the Navy Department. More than once |
tories of incivilities have been reported to
he Department, but the Department knows |
ull well that it is not the fault of the officers.
As Commodore Ramsay says, the Govern |
nent does not allow any money for such en-
ertainments, and if any are given the Off
ers themselves pay for the feast.
1t is not often the officers care to person.
lily entertain the Governments guests and |
lence these stories. When, however the
Ulcers 1nYited friends or officials person.
lily, and especially then, they know re- .
reshments are expected and are provided |
or and the bill is met by the naval officers
n board the vessel.