Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-05
He Arrives in Washington and Re-
ports to the Department.
DISCREEfLY SILENT ABOUT HIS CASE.
The Secretary Should Make His
Report Public.
TIL E LILO INCID ENT.

mander-in-chief of the United States forces
In the harbor of Brazil, has come to Wash
lngton In obedience to orders to make a
personal explanation to the Secretary Of
the Navy of his action in saluting the Bra
lillian insurgent Mello. He arrived here
this morning from his home in New Lon
don and registered at the Ebbitt House. He
visited the Navy Department about noon,
but was unable then to see Secretary Her.
bert. as he had gone to the White House
to attend the cabinet meeting.
Reported to the Department..
Admiral Stanton reported his arrival to
Commodore Ramsay, chief of the bureau Of
navigation, and said he would hold himself
In readiness for a prompt response to a
summons from the department. 1t is ex-
pected that he will see the Secretary this
afternoon.
Admiral Stanton maintains the same
diplomatic silence touching his conduct at
Rio that has marked his utterances ever
since his arrival in the United States He
Informed Star reporter in the pleasantest
way Imaginable that he could not talk on
that subject at all, and that if there was
anything to be said for publication it would
more properly emanate from the Navy De-
partment. He would make his report to
the Secretary. and it was for him to de-
eide whether 1t should be made public or
not. Admiral Stanton said his stay in
Washington would depend entirely on the
wishes OF the Secretary.
The Incident Recalled.
On the 25th of September last Admiral
Stanton left New York in his flagship New
ark for a three years cruise in South At
lantic waters. He was placed in command
Of the United States squadron on that sta
ton. He entered the harbor of Rio de Ja-
metro October 20. Admiral Mello, the insur-
gent chief, was in the harbor at the time
on his flagship. the Aquidaban, flying the
national flag of Brazil. AS the Newark
steamed in, a salute of twenty-one guns
was fired by order of Admiral Stanton. The
flag of the Aquidaban was dipped in ac-
knowledgment, and an aid of the rebel
commander called on the American admiral
The two admirals then exchanged visits
Admiral Stanton making the first call. At
this time he claimed, and many good naval
authorities supported him, that he knew
nothing of the revolution. He said he sim
ply saw the flag of friendly nation in that
nations home waters and he saluted it
That is the story told by his friends, who
assert that he saluted the Brazilian flag and
not the insurgent leader.
senior Mendonca's Protest.
Senor Mendonca, the Brazilian minister
at Washington. was informed by his gov
ernment of the occurrence. and he at once
made formal complaint to the Secretary OF
State. Admiral Stanton was called on for
an explanation. He cabled Secretary Her.
bert that he had saluted the Brazilian flag
on Mellos ship in accordance with estab-
lished custom. Thereupon, he was, sum-
marily detached from command and order
ed home. The President took occasion to
disavow his unauthorized action" ''in sa-
luting the revolted Brazilian admiral as
being subversive of the position of this
government attentive r.
tial observer of the unfortunate conflict"
in Brazil and contrary to "our fixed policy
of impartial neutrality In such affairs In
his message to Congress the President says
he ''indisposed to countenance an act
calculated to give gratuitous sanction to
the local insurrection."
His Successor Not Selected.
No one has yet been selected to succeed
Admiral Stanton. Capt. H. F. Picking,
commanding the u. S. S. Charleston, by
virtue of che fact that he is the senior Off
Ger present, has had command of the fleet
since the departure of Admiral Stanton, and
he will continue in command until a per-
manent comma nder is assigned to that sta
ton. That will not be lone CEtil after Ad-
miral Stanton has made his final re-
port to Secretary Herbert He arrived at
New York few days ago and has been at
his home in New London ever since.
Stanton's Previous UnbIemished Rec
ord.
Up to this unfortunate occurrence, Ad-
miral Stanton has had an unbemished re-
cord as a seaman and an officer. He was
born in Sag Harbor, n. Y. July s. 1884,
and entered the navy December 20, 1S49
when he was but fifteen years of age. He
first served as a midshpman on the steam
ship Susquehanna, and afterward cruised
in one of Commodore Perry's East Indian
expeditions. In 1853 he transferred to
the sloop-of-war Saratoga, and made a
years cruise'in Chinese waters
Gallantry During the War.
During the war he served gallantly in the
James river and Potomac river fotillas and
in 1862 and 1853 was with the West Indian
flying squadron as lieutenant commander.
In 1864 he was ordnance officer at the New
York navy yard and in 1855 he was with
the East Gulf blockading squadron. The
next two years he was on duty at the Ma
val Academy. He was made full captain
in 1879 and a commodore in 1921. He has
not yet reached the grade of admiral, and
bears that title only by grace of being an
acting admiral. He has been governor of
the Naval Asylum off and on for many
years and was on that duty when selected
to command the South Atlantic station.
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