Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-10-26
SALUTED THE REBELS.
Rear Admiral Stanton In Dis
grace at Rio Janeiro.
HIS COMMAND Is TAKEN AWAY.

He Had Been omciaIIy Warned Not to
NEEDLE with Affairs In BraziI-Admits
by Cable That He DIsobeyed-NavaI Men
Surprised.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26.-The navy depart
ment learned on authority by telegram
from Rear Admiral Stanton, in command
of the United States naval foroNs ut Rio de
Janeiro, that this officer had saluted the
flag of Admiral Mello, commanding the in
surgent fleet This salute was unauthOr-
lied by any instructions the admiral had
received.
1t was an unfriendly act toward friend
ly power, and the secretary of the navy,
after consulting with the president and
secretary of state, issued order detach-
ing Admiral Stanton from command of his
squadron and turning it over to Captain
Picking the next officer in rank. This was
i'll reply to telegram of inquiry.
Secretary Herbert saw the Associated
Press dispatch from Rio de Janeiro saying
that the American naval commander had
exchanged visits and salutes with Admiral
Mello of the insurgent fleet. He was loath
to believe that the statements were correct
and expressed his doubts to a reporter who
called upon him.
Naval Officers Puzzled.
If Admiral Stanton had merely exchanged
AN ordinary unofficial visit on business
matters with Admiral MeIlo. the secretary
would not have been surprised, nor prob
ably would he have taken any further no.
tiCe of it, as it is said ut the navy depart
ment that this would not be improper But
the secretary saw at once the serious and
unfortunate nature of the action said to
have been taken by Admiral stanton and
how it might be construed by the lawful
government of Brazil.
I l., -, L..
cabling to Rio de Janeiro for all the facts
in the case, to which he received a prompt
report, with the result noted above. Naval
officials talked with on the subject are
puzzled over Admiral Stanton's action and
are at a loss to account for so serious de
fiction from duty ON his part. 1t is said
that Captain Picking will possibly remain
permanently in charge OF the fleet of Amer
/ lean ships in the harbor, or at any rate I'M
/ til a successor to Rear Admiral Stanton is
appointed
Commodore Ramsey, chief of the bureau
of navigation, said that it had not yet been
determined who would be appointed to
succeed Stanton.
Stanton Had Been Cautioned.
1t is n suspected state department secret
that Rear Admiral stanton had been, if
not exactly admonished, yet diplomatical-
i ly cautioned against taking any action
D W men tOhANl III CONSTRUCT is an llltTleT-
. ence on either side in the pending struggle.
! The Newark, which has recently Joined
/ the American squadron, il is said, con-
vcyed important dispatches As to the alleg-
/ ed concurrence OF Admiral stanton in the
action which the commanding officers of
the European squadruus are reported to
have taken in requiring President PeiXoto
( to dismount his shore batteries.
Both houses of congress on Feb. IL, 1890,
passed resolution cungratulating the peo-
7 pie of Brazil their just and peaceable
assumption Of the powers, duties and re-
I sponsibilities of self government, based
upon the free consent Of the governed.
/ Minister MendonCa, who holds his Gre
dentials from the government of President
/ PcjNoto, is in almost daily intercourse
: with Secretary Gresham, and he would I'M
doubleday be the first la be advised if Ad-
miral stanton had committed any such act
nS that asCribed To him.