The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-09-30
A FOOLISH AMERICAN.
he Floats the British Flag on q
Brazilian Vessel.
BELIEVED TO BE PAUL B0YT0N.

The Famous Swimmer. II It bo He, Ar
rested by British Naval officers and
Turned Over 10 tho United States Min
later for Action.
WASHINGTON, Sept 30.--A spice Of insnr-
national interest has been injected into the
situation OF affairs in Brazil through two
incidents that may lead to some complica-
tions. The first of these is based on the
action OF merchant vessels, flying the
Stars and Stripes, in furnishing provisions
to the rebel feet which threatens Rio Jan
eiro. 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, United States citizen COM
manding a tug illegally floating British
flag, arrested by British man-ofwar and
delivered to me- Had torpedo on board,
presumably to attack insurgent ship. Shall
send him homer"
Secretary Herbert replied, Hold Boyn-
ton until further orderssn
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 ID 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 insurgcnt fleet with pro-
visions. and lie asked for instructions with
reference to the American vessels engaged
in this practice
IL 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 rebellious 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, will 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 Gurmise
On the face of it the Boynton Tor 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'stele-
gram at the navy department is this:
A tug of the Brazilian government, fly.
ing the British flag, attempted to blow up
nm lnsurgent 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
at,t nft Ia hat Nt1,,
| Boyton, is pirate, naval officers point to
an act of congress of March s, 1919, which
authorizes the president of the United
| States to instruct commanders Of the pub
| lie armed vessels Of the government ito
seize and send into port any vessel, the
crew of which shall have committed, or
attempted, any act of piracy upon any ves-
| sci of the United Stat es OF the citizens
| thereof, or up on any other vessel, /" and it
is held at the navy department by promi.
| nent officials that the words attempted
any act Of piracy upon any other vessel, y
clearly proclaim the offense and the au-
thority of the commander of the Charles
ton to hold Boynton prisoner.
But at the state department, where the
matter has been examined with some care
it is said that the incident is not at all seri.
Gus. Boynton had been captured on sus-
picion of intending to commit an assaul I
on one of the rebel ships, and had been
through courtesy, turned over to the
United States commander for whatever
action the United States saw ft to take in
his case. 1t is stated that no severe pun
ishment could be inflicted on Boynton,
and that neither Great Britain nor Brazil
would attempt to hold the United States
responsible for the matter, and further
more, that even il it be shown that Boyn
a. -
ian government while floating the Britis h
flag Great Britain will not be sufficiently
interested TO demand redress from Brazil.
The only present cause for appr ehensioI
that trouble will ensue in the matter is tht
suggestion that if Boynton is In the en-
ploy Of the Brazilian government the Rio
authorities may demand his release