The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-27
THE STANTON INCIDENT
HIS ACTION IN SALUTfNG MELLO Is
VERY PERPLExING.
The Government Has Taken Further Steps
Toward Reparation-Ex-
plicit Instructions.

WASHINGTON. d. c., Oct 26.-Ad-
miral Stantons case suu continues
puzzle to everybody. rendered more mex
plicable by perusal Of the roster Of
officers on the Newark, his flagship which
showed that at least two men Of standing
on board are well acquainted with the
intricacies Of international law, and pre-
sumably knew that the salute to the
rebel fleet was an afront to the regular
government Of Brazil. This knowledge
seems to confirm the almost general be-
lief at the Navy Department that Admiral
stanton has some reasonable explanation
to offer for his unfortunate action. one
Of the officers, who is known 10 have some
acquaintance with obseryances connected
with the courtesies due one nation from
another while they are on terms of mutual
friendship is Captain Silas Terry, the
Commander Of the Newark; the other Is
Lieutenant Underwood, of that vessel,
who was until recently an instructor
IN international law at the Naval Acade-
my. Captain Terry was on duty in Wash
ington some time as a member OF the
board for the examination Of line officers,
and the questions include a series on the
law Of nations, so that, presumably, Cap
tain Terry is posted on such matters
as the recognition OF insurgents. In ad-
dition to lieutenant Underwood, two
other officers Of the Newark had recently
been on duty as instructors at the Naval
Academy. That these officers allowed
Admiral stanton TO salute Melo without
suggesting to him the improperly Of
Inc TO believe.
Naval officers have had much instruc-
ton in international law during and since
the threatened hostiliues with Chill.
Secretary Tracy gave express instructions
TO Admiral McCann, commanding the
United States vessels I'm Chilian waters,
to be exceedingly careful not to do any
thing while the Balmaceda and insurgent
governments were at war, that could be
construed into a show OF favor TO either
side. These instructions were printed on
one Of Secretary Tracy's annual reports
and it is said that they were given Ad-
miral Stanton for his guidance during the
present Brazilian revolution.
The Stanton incident has called atten-
ton 10 the fact that many naval officers
have seen very little sea duty In proper
tion 70 their actual service I'm the navy
and are therefore inexperienced as TO
the course Of conduct that should be pur-
sued when assigned 10 duty I'm cOnnec-
tion with international or national diff
culties Of a hostile character. Admiral
Stanton is pointed out as one Of these
officers whose term Of land service has
greatly exceeded the time he has spent at
sea.
A careful search for precedents I'm the
action OF Admiral Stanton. made by
officials OF the State and Navy Depart
ments fails 10 disclose a single instance
where an insurgent government has been
recognized by a formal salute unauthor-
lied by the government Of the officer who
orders 1t. Solicitor Dabney. Of the State
Department, explains international Gus
tom 10 be that a salute from a vessel Of
one nation 10 armed vessels claiming to
represent another government, implies
formal declaration that the first named
government recognized that OF the other
Further Reparabon to be Made.
WASHINGTON, oct. 26-It is under
stood that the United States government
has taken other means beside the detach-
ment OF Acting Rear Admiral Stanton 10
show the government Of Brazil that this
country repudiates Admiral StantOn's ac-
ton In recognizing the insurgents. What
form these assurances have taken the
State Department will not make public
but II the regular course Of procedure IN
diplomatic incidents Of the sort be fol-
lowed, Mr.. Thompson, United States min
lister 10 Brazil. will make amende honor
able on the part Of the United States, IN
addition 20 n virtually apologetic expla-
nation, which has been given Senior
Mendonca, the Brazilian minister here.