Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-12-21
SENT TO RIO.
Admiral Benham VIII Command the
Naval Forces OF This Country on the

Admiral Benham Will Command the
Naval Forces OF This Country on the
Brazilian Coast.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-SecIetary Her
bert said this afternoon the assignment of
Admiral Benham to command the squad
ron at Rio could be construed as q settle
ment of the case of Commodore Stanton.
Admiral Bsnham, he said, would become
commander of the naval forces on the ar
rival of the San Francisco at Rio simply
through the fact that he would be the SEN
Tor officer.
eff the New York had been nearer Rio
than the San Francisco wss," said Mr.. Her
| bert, 'T would have ordered her there: 1t
was question of which vessel could get
there the quicker, and not of successor
to Commodore Stanton"
The secretary said the Stanton case
would be acted on soon. It Ia said the
whole Brazilian matter Is In the hands of
the president, and that he Ia arranging the
disposition of naval vessels for Brazilian
service.
That the cruiser New York will go to
Bio Janeiro in the event that 1t is neces-
sary to strengthen the United States feet
| In Brazil, has been decided by Secretary
Herbert.
No orders have been sent to her COM
but he has been directed so prepare for
sea without delay, that she may leave i'm
medistely upon the receipt Of orders to
that effect.
1t is stated ct the navy department that
the New York will not be ordered to Rio
| If no change takes place In the present
situation, but 1t is believed that affairs are
nearing q crisis that will call for her pres
ence.
Orders have also been issued by the de-
psrtment directing that the double-turreted
monitor Misntonomoh, now at the Brook
Ign navy yard, be prepared for sea as
speedily as possible. The Aiautonomoh
will be fitted out subject to the conditions
governing the New York, and II the expect
| ed should occur the two vessels will pro-
coed to Rio in company.
There was no secret made to-day at the
state and navy departments of the reasons
that have induced this government to In
crease its naval forces in Brazil. The
United States government feels that the
commerce of this country has been inter
fered with by the Brazilian trouble. Her-
chant vessels have been ordered from theiI
accustomed anchorage to point farther
away from the line of fire and the first Law
of nature has compelled the foreign war
ships to do likewise. The anchorage fol
1 p6ICnhuIEQeu uOTLu VI IuoEAlO
sensl and between that point and Buchsdsi
Island. Forth De Villegsgnon, DAs Cobra
and Buchadss Islands, and another small
island are in possession of the insurgents
From these four positions they are pour
ing shot and she'll into the arsenal and tn
custom house. The line of fre In directl,
across the prescribed anchorage for mer
chant vessels. All the American bushes
houses are situsred in tho vicinity of tn
custom house and the arsenal, and the con
slant firing prevents the transaction o
business. American ships cannot fror
their present position communicate will
the shore, and commerce is being seriousl
crippled. In addition to this, it is expect
ed that when the final battle begins 1
: earnest the business houses o, American
will suffer considerably.
/ It Ia to prevent this interference wit
commerce and destruction. of American In
t terests that the imposing naval demonstri
ton will be made by the United States
7 Rio. Expectancy of q turn in events
acute In both the state and navy depsr
ments, and almost any moment may wi
ness the United States taking part in
controversy which 1t has endeavored to q
: cape by q policy of non-recognition an
: non interference.
The information that the United Stat,
g forces In the waters of Brazil was receive
s by Minister Mendonca to-day with consi
: cradle satisfaction. "This," he said, xvi
o tend to insure the safety and security
: commerce between Brazil and the Unit.
Q States. This amounts to many millions
o dollars q year. OF course, 1t Is the du
: of the government of Brazil to extend /
}, protection, at least within the limits
the territorial waters, but Its naval equi
ment, as everyone knows, Ia now In 4
hands Of the rebels"
l. The minister stated that the tenor of Z
r. news from Brazil to-day was very sat
10 factory to the friends of Peixotto's admi
istration. He said that Admiral de- Gam
who now commands the insurgent ae,
has steadily lost ground and has absoluts
s. failed to create the slightest disaffeeti,
m among the military forces of the republ
!. which are loyalty devoted to the prese
70 administration.