The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-09-30
A FOOLISH AMERICAN.
He Floats the British Flag on a
Brazilian Vessel,
BELIEVED TO BE PAUL BOYTON.

rested by British Naval Omcers and
Turned over to the United states Min
ister for Action.
WASHINGTON, Sept 3O-A spice Of inter
national interest has been injected into the
situation OF affairs in Brazil through two
incidents that may lead to some complico-
tions The first Of these Is based on the
action of merchant vessels. flying the
Stars and Stripes, in furnishing provisions
TO the rebel fleet which threatens Rio Jan
GIRO The other is best explained by the
following cable message received by the
secretary Of the navy from Captain Pick
ing, commanding the United States
steamer Charleston at Rio;
'Boynton, a United States citizen com
manding a tug illegally floating a British
flag, arrested by British man-of-war and
delivered to me. Had torpedo on board,
presumably to attack insurgent ship. Shall
send him home2"
Secretary Herbert replied, "Hold Boyn-
ton until further orders"
The suggestion is made that Captain
Boynton' mentioned in these dispatches
is probably Paul Boyton. the diving suit
man, who has been mixed up in similar
affairs before.
Contrary TO the general belief it Is now
stated that the state department has been
in almost uninterrupted telegraphic com
munication with Minister Thompson since
his arrival in Rio Janeiro. 1t is learned
that in one OF his kilograms Mr.. Thomp-
son reported that merchant vessels were
furnishing the insurqent fleet with pro
visions, and he asked for instructions with
reference to the American vessels engaged
In this practice
II is understood that in reply the state
department has directed the minister to
caution captains of the American mer-
chantmen against giving stores to the
belligerents, the United States not having
recognized the rebellous faction. Whether
American vessels have actually given pro-
vision to the rebels, and If so whether the
| government Of Brazil, if it be successful
| In the present trouble, win ask for an ex-
| PLANTATION, perhaps something more from
the United States are questions that can
not now be considered in any other form
than as mere surmise.
On the face of it the Boynton (or Boyton)
incident would appear to be important
| but opinion in official circles differs as to
its gravity. A majority of those questioned
on the subject are inclined to think that
1t will not amount to anything The con-
struction placed on Captain Picking
gram at the navy department is this;
A tug of the Brazilian government, fly
ing the British flag, attempted to blow up
an insurgent ship. The commander of the
tug, United States citizen, was arrested
by British officers on the charge of piracy
in showing colors under which he had no
| right to sail. and was turned over to the
! United States naval authorities for con-
veyance to the United States for trial In
support of the assertion that Boynton, OF
Boyton, is pirate, naval officers point to
an act of congress of March 3, 1919, which
authorizes the. president of the United
States to instruct commanders of the pub
llc armed vessels of the government Ito
seize and send into port any vessel, the
crew OF which shah have committed, or
attempted, any act of piracy upon any yes
sci Of the United States or the citizens