Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-11-02
STANTON SALUTED THE REBELS.
And For This He Was Relieved of
His Command.

Foolish Action of the Commander OF the
United statcs Squadron at Brazil--Seo-
Rotary Herbert's Prompt Action.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.--.The peremp.
tory removal to-day of Commodore and
Acting Rear Admiral Stanton, stationed
at Rio JaneiIo, Brazil, from the COM
mand Of the South Atlantic station, was
one Of the most startling surprises ever
experienced in Washington official life,
and for time II has almost obscured
the interest in the silver fight. Presi-
dent Cleveland took action after long
conference with the Secretaries of State
and of the Navy, and when put in
possession OF all the facts, and also of
such further information rs Senior
Mendonca, the Brazilian minister in
Washington, was able TO furnish. The
official order was briefly made public
by Secretary Herbert in the following
memorandum:
"Thc Navy Department learned by
authority late to-day by telegram from
Rear Admiral Stanton, in command of
the United States naval forces ut Rio de
Janciro, that this officer had saluted the
flag of Admiral Mello, commanding the
insurgent fleet This salute was unau-
thorized by any instructions the admiral
had received. II was an unfriendly act
toward a friendly power, and the Secre.
tary OF the Navy, after consulting with
the President and the Secretary of State,
issued an order detaching Admiral STAN
ton from command of his squadron and
turning 1t over to Captain Picking, the
next officer in rank"
Nv han SpPratapNF IorlNnNN t, Io,V
ceived through Secretary Gresham in
formation that the Brizilian minister re-
ported the story of Admiral Stanton's
salute TO the rebel admiral's flag to be
correct, there was a joint consultation of
documents and precedents in the diplo-
matte room, and the conclusion was
reached that Commodore Stauton's act
was so contrary to the requirements of
the case as to call for prompt rebuke and
reparation. With this conclusion in
mind, Secretary Herbert, at / o'clock,
went over to the White House to con-
suit the President, who, on learning the
facts, Immediately coincided with the
views Of the Secretary of State and Mr..
Herbert, and authorized the issue of the
order of suspension.
Captain Henry F. Picking of the
Charleston, who relieves Commodore
Stanton, is also an officer of experience.
lie has with him the cruiser Newark,
Captain Silas Casey, and in three days
from now should be Joined by the
Detroit, Commander Willard II. Brown
son.
Secretary Herbert was unwilling to
speak as to what further action would
be taken IN Commodore Stanton's case,
but tits supposed court-martial will re-
suit. His successor in command of the
South Atlantic station will not be deter
mined upon hastily, but it is thought it
will probably be Commodore Richard
w. Meade, now on duty as member of
the Worlds Columbian Exposition.
WAsHINGToN, Oct. 26.-It Is understood
that the United States government has
taken other means besides the detachment
OF Acting Rear Admiral Stanton, to show
the government Of Brazil that this country
repudiates Admiral Stanton's action in
recognizance of the insurgents.
what form these assurances have taken,
the State Department will not make
public. but II the regular course of proceed
ure In diplomatic incidents OF this sort be
followed, Mr.. Thompson, the United States
minister to Brazil, will make the amende
va pdIkol lnc IllllGu DLNLeS,
in addition to the virtually apologize ex.
PLANTATION which has been given Senior
Mendonca, the Brazilian minister here.
Secretary Herbert declines to give any
further details to the public beg ond those
contained in the memorandum furnished
yesterday.
Stanton's action continues to be regarded
as thoroughly inexplicable by naval off
GERS, That he had a perfect right to ex-
change visits with the rebel admiral is not
denied. In fact, the State Department af-
firms that and would have been no dis.
courtesy to the Peixoto administration,
but the formal salute can be construed to
mean nothing less than recognition of
the rebels as belligerents.
The general impression at the Navy De-
partment of the American admirals
blunder is best understood by a remark
made by a prominent officer that 'if an
inexperienced midshipman had done as
Admiral Stanton has done, we would have
been astonished."