The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-27
@ANIONS BIG BLUNDER
Viewed With Much DisplsasuFs BY
Leading Naval Of1cers,
TRIAL BY COURT MARTIAL
Likely TO Rssalt from an Ofnalai Invss-
tigation - The Drasiiisn Govsrnmsnt
Does Not Desire TO Take ANY Action
In the Matter.


Rear Admiral Stanton by Secretary Her
bert from his command Of the United
States feet In Brazilian waters for saluting
the flag Of Admiral Mello, the Brazilian
insurgent leader. is the sole topic of con-
versation among naval officers. They
have not yet recovered from their surprise
ut Commodore Stauton's doinRs. nor are
they yet willing 70 give any reason for ii.
They had believed that the selection Of
the commodore for the peculiarly i'm
portant and delicate position Of oom-
mander Of the American fleet In South
American waters would Be justified by
his decision on questions that came up for
his action from time to time, as he was
believed TO possess those qualifications OF
eoolness and discretion so necessary In or
der to enable him to deal with the perplex-
ing question that Ii was thought would
Inevitably come before him.
They are mortified and disappointed ut
bis action and do not heSitate to 90 express
themselves. Whatever may have been
Commodore Stanton's explanation tor his
conduct, that has not yet been divulged
at the navy department It Is assumed.
however, from what the officials say, that
he was given full opportunity to make an
explanation before the secretary's sum-
mary action, but they refuse to indicate
what its nature Is.
May Ask an Investigation.
IL Is supposed Commodore Stanton will
leave Rio de Janeiro at an early day on
bis departure for this country, so that he
will be able TO give the secretary and the
president an account Of his conduct and
the reasons which influenced him in salut-
ing Mello. Naval officers relieved from
their commands with charges pending
against them have the opportunity of
asking that a court Of inquiry be ap-
pointed to investigate such charges, and
Commodore Stanton may ask this privilege.
Secretary Herbert has not yet decided
what shall be done with the commodore,
but IL is very likely that after an inves-
tigation is made he may be tried by court
martial. Nothing has been finally decided
upon, however.
Gossip among the naval officers points
TO the probable selection Of Commodore
Richard w. Meade, the president of the
medical examining board, as likely sue
cessor Of Commodore Stanton In command
of the feet at Rio. He is next to the COM
modore on the list, and under ordinary
circumstances would be chosen to succeed
In command.
The query on everybody's lips Is, What Is
the United States going to do as repara-
ton for Commodore Stanton's unwar-
ranted actioni Nobody seems to know
just what may bs done, but many of the
officials seem inclined to the opinion that
the prompt action by Secretary Herbert
In removing Commodore Stanton was an
adequate and complete disavowal of hts
.h thaa nA ,f
ment; that they would in all probability
be accepted by the Brazilian government
as ample satisfaction for the wrong done.
Confidence In Uncie Sam.
Senior de Mendonca, the Brazilian min
lister, was asked what action his govern
ment would take concerning the conduct
of Rear Admiral Stanton in saluting Ad-
miral Mello. aud said:
''The Brazilian government has not de-
sired nor will It take any action In regard
to this matter. / was notified by my gov
ernment of this unfortunate act and upon
communicating 1t to the government Of
ficials here my duty was performed. The
action of the United States government in
removing Admiral Stanton was spon-
taneous and was not solicited by the
Brazilian government.
I'VE have implicit confidence In the
United States government, and the action
1t has taken has been complete and en-
tirely satisfactory. We could not expect,
neither do we ask, anything else from a
government with which we hold so good
relations. There Is no truth In the state
ment which has been published that the
United States will make an apology to
Brazil, for no apologies have been asked.
Admiral Stanton has been removed and
the action of the United States is COM
plete satisfaction. Nothing further Is de-
sired.n 4---.---