The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-26
Rear Admiral Stanton RelioYed Of Ills
Command at Rio Dc JantlTO,
SURPRISE 1T HIS ARBITRARY ACTION,
Brasil waa "a Good Friend Of the United
States and Mr.. Cleveland Took
Summary Action.

FLAG of Admiral AicIo. the insurgent
leader. Admiral stanton was accordingly
relieved of hls command The report that
reached This country nrt by way Of
Berlin. that Admiral Stanton had acted
as described was received here with so
much iucredulity that the Navy Depart
mout denied its correctness upon its in
herent improbabMty. So the later as
certainment 0f the facts. and the per-
omptory action Of tho government created
one Of the most startling surprises ever
experienced in Washington official life,
and for time 30 has almost obscured
the interest iu the silver fight.
President Cleveland took action, atter
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 as Sehor
Nend0nca. the Brazilian Minister IN
Washington was able 20 furnish.
Tie order of suspension.
The official order was briefly made
public by Secretary Herbert, in the fol-
lowing memorandum.
"Ihe Navy Department learned by
authority. late to-day. by telegram from
Eear-Admiral Stanton. I'M command Of the
United states naval forces at Rio de janet
Do. that this officer had saluted the nag or
Admiral Meuo. commanding the iusur-
gent Aeet. This salute was unauthorl1eu
bv any instructions the Admiral had re-
ce.ved. 10 was am mfriendly act toward
"a friendly power. and the Secretary or
the Navy after consulting win the
president and the Secretary OF state, is
sued AN order detaching Admiral stanton
fr1u command of his squadron, and
turning 30 over 90 Captain Picking, the
next officer in rank This was IN reply
90 "a telegram OF inquiry
Commodore stanton had been speciauy
f.Iected for this post of duty because ne
WAS considered 10 possess I'm pre-enh-
rant decree those qualifications Of cool1css
and discretion which fitted him 10 deal
with the revolutionary condition prevail
fur i'm the various countries 90 which ms
assignment would naturally call him. one
af the highest officers off thc service, VINO
himself probably Influenced in no smdH
degree Commodore 6lant1u.s appointment
remarked to-day "Tbis matter is as much
of "a surprise TO me as "a slap in the face
would be-"
Our Friendly y aions with Brazil.
The relations of the United States 10
he recognized government OF Brazil were
such that it was not believed possible that
0B officer ~ high rank end experience
would go out OF his way 10 give oihcial
salute and recognition 20 the COMMANDER
OF "a naval force avOWedly in resurrection
against the government and actually en-
eaged iu b0mbardiug the national capital.
il was recalled that when the Brazilian
monarchy was overthrown. our govern
ment through Minister Adams. was the
first 20 recognize The provisional govern
ment established by the Republic. Both
houses of Congress. ON the 18th of Feb
ruary 1890 passed a resolution, congratu-
lauug the people OF Brazil "On their just
and peaceable assumption of the powers,
duties and responsibilities of self-govern-
mcnt, based upon the free consent of the
governed
our friendly interest I'm the young re-
public was so powerful a factor In se-
curing its recognition by other Powers
that in October 1890 just three years
ago. Brazil sent a squadron consisting
of the arnored cruiser Aquldaban and
other vessels TO New York Harbor 60
return the visit of friendship and con-
graduation made by the United states
squadron of evolution i'm Rio de Janeiro
in June and July preceding.
Prompt Aciion Taken.
When, therefore. Secretary Herbert to-
day received through Secretary Gresham,
Information that the Brazilian Minister
reported tie story of Admiral Stanton's
salute TO the rebel admirars 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 Stanton's act
was $50 contrary 90 the requirements Of
the case as TO call for prompt rebuke
and reparauon. with this conclusion IN
mind. Secretary Herbert, at i o'clock.
went over 60 the White House TO consult
with the President who, on learning the
facts. Immediately conceded with the
views of the Secretary of State. and Mr..
Herbert authorized the issue of the order
of suspension.
Captain Henry i. Picking Of the
Charleston. who relieves Commodore STAN
ton. is also an officer Of experience. He
has with him the cruiser Newark. Cap
tain snas Casey and In three days from
now should he Joined by the Detroit
Commander Willard II. RrOwnsOn.
Secretary Herbert was unwilling 10 speak
as 20 what further action would be taken
in Commodore StoutOn's case. but IL is
supposed "a court martial will result His
successor in command OF the South At
lauuc station viii not Doe determined upon
hastily. but 90 o. thought II will probably
De- Commodore Richard w. Meade now
NN % Ni'iilNti bA Aiit w "a lA - w
lu10a Exposition
Csmmodorr sfanton's Record.
Commodore santons record as naval
o-e.r is am excellent one. Born in Sag
Hat4r n. T.. July 1894. he entered the
.a'F as acting midshipman in lSig. In
s-y l2 bee was commissioned lieuten-
eAl-oommaader. Prior 60 the war he had
served on the steamer Memphis on the
Aala6uay expedition, and had also made !
cruises 90 the African coast and with the !
i-'He Squadron lie was placed in /
''eiar ut Use steamer Tioga in the |
aI..Il West India expedition OF '62-3, and |
ei commanded the steamer Pamela |
ol 'ne Western Gulf Blockading squad |
'V-' positions Of great responsibility.
from 1871 90 1874. when he was trans
-,lieI 20 The Yantic Commodore stanton
e'Hlinanded the receiving ship at Ports
Iloulh. ~ a., and the steamer Mono
."ey' in the Asiatic station In No
,emDef, 1881, he went on duty at the
NaFal Asylum al PHILADELPHIA. where
.'e remained until November. 1854. when
N' was assigned Co the command OF The |
s.ean irgate Tennessee. the aaeship |
OF the North Atlantic station. He was
"aiknel % duty az comnander-in-chief |
lhe South Atlantic station shortly
atef me Columbus naval review Of laq,
splhs' Naval officers Vho know Corn
Iu'aVie stanton are utterly at a loss 10
uNlefhianc how he came 10 make az
Heiious mistake, II such IL can be called
--as-a-s -s-------.
ACuiiing Affair NJ Rutherford;op
u NHH HIsT.