Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-27
ADMIRAL STANToN'S CASE.
IL Remains Puzzle tn Everybody-The
Oficer's Advisers.
(By telegraph to the Dispatch)

(By telegraph to the Dispatch)
WASHINGTON, ID. c., October S-Ad-
miraI Stanton's case still continues
puzzle to everybody, and is rendered more
inexplicable by a perusal of the roster
of officers on the Newark, his flag ship,
which shows that at least two men or
standing on board are well acquainted
with the intricacies of international law,
and presumably knew that the salute TO
the rebel feet was an insult In every
sense TO the government OF Brazil Ihis
knowledge seems to confirm the almost
general belief at the Navy Department
that Admiral Stanton has some reason
able explanation to offer for his unfortu-
nate action.
One of the officers, who IL known to
have some acquaintance with observances
connected with the courtesies due one
nation from another while they are on
terms Of mutual friendship. Is Captain
Silas Terry, the commander OF the New
ark the other Is Lieutenant Underwood.
OF that vessel. who was until recently
an instructor I'm international law at the
Naval Academy.
Captain Terry was on duty in Washing
ton some time as a member OF the board
for the examination of line officers, and
lllt qufollOuS ilNiuut SclitS All tilt law
of nations, so that presumably Captain
Terry is posted on such matters as the
recognition of insurgents.
| In addition TO Lieutenant Underwood,
! two other officers of the Newark had re-
Gently been on duty as instructors at the
| Naval Academy.
That these officers allowed Admiral
Stanton to salute Mello without suggest
| ing To him the impropriety of such a
| hns. L.
lleve. Naval officers have had much in
struction In International law during and
| since the threatened hostilities with Chile.
| Secretary Tracy gave express Instructions
| TO Admiral McCran, commanding the
| United States vessels In Chilean waters,
to be exceedingly careful not to do any
/ thing while the Balmaceda and insurgent
| governments were at war that could be
construed into a show Of favor to either
side These instructions were printed in
one of Secretary Tracys annual reports,
and IT Is said that they were given Ad-
miral Stanton for his guidance during the
present Brazilian revolution.
The Stanton incident has called atten-
| ton to the fact that many naval officers
have seen very little sea duty In proper
| ton to their actual service In the navy.
and are therefore inexperienced as to the
! course OF conduct that should be pursued
when assigned to duty in connection with
international or national difficulties of a
hostile character. Admiral Stanton il
pointed out as one OF these officers, whose
term OF land service has greatly exceeded
the time he has spent at sea.
A careful search for precedents in the
action of Admiral Stanton. made by OFF,
cials of the State andN&avy Departments.
falls to disclose a single instance where
an insurgent government has been recog-
nized by formal salute unauthorized by
| the government Solicitor Dabney. of the
| State Department. explains the interna-
tional custom to be that a salute from a
vessel OF one nation to an armed vessel
claiming TO represent another government
implies a formal declaration that the first
named government recognizes the other.