New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-28
ADvJRlL SrIyTONS SUSPENSION

Admiral Stanton has been sharply disciplined
for his indscrction in saluting the insurgeht
fleet in Rio IIarbor. He has been suspended
from command Of the South Atlantic Squadron
4 court Of inquiry will naturally follow ana
os there Is 10 officer there OF equal rank. ne
Will probably be- recalled TO Washington. II
may safely be assumed that Secretary Her
bert has not acted solely upon newspaper dis
patches received in Germany and confirmed by
the brazilian Minister. II would have been
most unjust TO order the suspension OF the Al
niral and thereby to discrc,lit one OF the most
experienced officers Of the Navy, without CD
tanning from him explanations of the unfortu
nate episode. II it be true that the Admiral
himself has acknowledged the correctness OF
the report that he had salucd the insurgcnt
Admiral's flag and exchanged visits with hiih
tie department is justified in ordering Ills suS-
pension a. the only practicable nethod OF us
avowinc an unfrendly act to the Government
Of Brazil. Suspension is, Of course very az
fcrcut thing from removal or from placing him
under arrest II leaves him AT liberty 10 justify
his conduct by explaining all the circumstances
United States naval officers are not CON
ccrned in the complications Of South American
,crcsts Of American citizens and shipping That
was Admiral Stanton's business in Rio Harbor
When he salutcd Admiral Mcllo's flagship he
paid Il compliment 10 IN officer. who was mead
ing IN insurrcction against the Government
Of Brazil and had been bombardlng the ma
tional capital That was an offensive act OF
Intervention in Brazilian politics, and was en-
,irely outside his official instructions and his
legitimate business as the commander OF the
American squadron. Even II the Brazilian nag
were flying over Admiral Melos ship, or If the
American flag had been honored by salute In
the first instance. the return compliment was
offensive to n friendly Government and equally
ill.,mcd and unjustlhablc. Admiral Mcllo
might have had provocation for his revolt. and
he might also have had Influential support in
Brazil, but he was Il rebel without any SEM
blance OF civil authority behind him, and the
aas huitcring over his ship did not alter or CON
zeal his real character 1t was not Admiral
Stanton's business TO recognize a rebels right
TO sail under the Brazilian flag and to BON.
bard the national capital
The foreign relations Of the United States are
conducted exclusively with Governments. The
State Department has nothing to do with for
cgn armies or navics except as they are the
agencies Of responsible Governments. II has
nothing TO do with political parties, factions
cabals or leaders in foreign countries. 1t re-
ccivcs the accredited agents Of foreign Gov
eminent. and instructs its own representatives,
diplomatic consular and naval, to have Off
ca intercourse only with those In undisputed
authority Whenever civil conflict arises the
de lure Government Is the only one with
which American diplomatic and naval repre-
scntatlyes can maintain official relations. Cir.
cumstanccs may involve the recognition OF
de facto Government, and the observance Of
belligerent rights and of neutrality between
hostile armies or fleets; but International law
Justly accords to the de jure Government
marked preference until its authority Is over.
thrown by those in revolt against It, The Bra
lillian insurgents have no status whatever en-.
titling them to recognition by foreign Govern
ments. President Peixoto has Congress, the
Supreme Court, the army and all the State
Governments, with possibly one exception. on
his side. Admiral Mello is simply a rebel COM
handing an insurgent feet.
Admiral Stanton, In making the fatal mis-
take OF mcddling in Brazilian politics and
prcmatnrcly recognizing an insurrcctonary
force. may have been influenced by the foolish
writing and partisan polcmics Of Don Ricardo
Trumbuls pupils in the American press Dur
ing the Gillian naval revolt President IIar
risons Administration was harshly and unjust
" criticised for adhering To recognized prin-
ciplcs of international law, and for Withholding
official recognition and support of Balmaccda's
opponents The Gillian Navy, it Is true had
Congress and a de facto Government behind it
and was in Il different position from Admiral
Mellos feet; but the Harrison Administration