The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-29
ADmIKAL STANTON ExPLAIss.
He intendsd the Salute Given For tn
Brizi'ian Governments

He Intended the Salute Given For the
Brizi'fan Governments
WASHINGTON. D. c., Oct. 8.-Ad-
miral staunton's explanation as to why
he saluted Admiral Nlello sent in answer
10 a message Of inquiry, was made public
to-day by Secretary Herbert. 1t reads as
follows:
"Rio Janeiro. October 18th, Secretary
OF the Navy Washington.
Before anchorlng, 1 saluted the nag OF
Brazil with twenty-one guns. Ihe salute
was returned by the government 1ort.
Altering anchoring, l received VISIT
from an aide de camp OF Admiral Memo,
aving the Brazilian flag, and returned
soid visit I saluted the B.azilian admi-
roi aioat the salute returned by sames
No call received from the Brazilian oh-
cial from the shore. Next day / called
upon brazilian admiral. and the visit
was returned. Mello was the only Bra
lillian admiral adoat.
(Signed) SIAN lCN,
Secretary Herbert gave out Admlrai
Stanton's dispatch for publication De-
cause OF an impression that the fresi-
dent acted hastily I'm removing the ad-
miral without hearing an explanation
from him. A telegram of inquiry was
sent 10 Admiral Stanton, when the facI
that he had saluted the rebel was re-
ceived at the Navy Department, ana the
message quoted was In answer 20 ina.
Admiral Stantons defense In the propa-
HE court OF inquiry or court martial pro-
caad,ngs "a clearly indicated In his dis
ratcb where he says he saluted the
brazilian flag "ahoat," and this state
ment comedies with the belief among a
number OF naval officers that 1t was IN
doing this that ne brought 80 much uou-
bile on himself. Inquiry at the Navy De
,,srtroent has brought 70 lirht some mat
ters that are GAINED 70 be pfeceuehuA
for Admiral Stantons action and the
theory of officers who believe the adml-
rol's unfortunate salute was justified by
circumstances Is given In this way:
The commander Of a naval vessel must
either acknowledge the flag hoated by
another armed vessel Of a different hauon
or else seize. or attempt 10 seize, her fs
nitrate. III Admiral AleIlo had no au-
thorlty from any recognized government
(and the insurgents have no government
TO display the flag that was flying at the
peak Of his flagship, then, accoralns 10
the theory, he was an Unauthorized armed
rover Of the seas, and should be cohslu-
cred and treated as a pirate III he had
the right 10 float the Brazilian nag then
he should have been saluted, ana IL IS
further contended in Admiral Stanton 8
behalf that in view OF the fact that Ad-
miral Mello holds a commission as an
officer OF the Brazilian navy the Amerl-
can commander could not have done
otherwise than to pay him the customary
cOurtesies.
one OF the precedents referred 10 Is the
action Of Admiral Welles Of the United
states Navy. at Cadiz, Spain, in captur-
ing a Spanish war vessel manned by In
surgents and floating the Spanish flag,
and turning her over 10 the Spanish gov
ernment on the ground that she was a
plratlcal craft The same thing was done
at Carthagenia by British squadron.
The New York Ordered to Brah
NEW YORK, Oct, &. 90 The big
armored cruiser New York has received
orders 10 prepare Immediately TO proceed
10 Brazil. Immediately. on receipt OF the
order telegrams were sent out from the
cruiser recalling all officers on leave OF
absence. one officer, Ensign Dashiel, who
IS undergoing at the Navy Department
examination for promotion, has been or
dered 10 repair at once aboard his snip.
The vessel will sail Tuesday.