New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-01
BENHAMS FIGHT AT RIO.
GREAT SECRECY OBSERVED ABOUT IT
IN WASHINGTON.
SECRETARY GRESHAM EXHIBITS MORE "DIP-
LoMATIc REsERVE'-IT Is LEARNED HOW
EVER. THAT ALL THE AMERICAN WAR
SHIPS WERE READY FOR ACTION
PRAISE FOR THE ADMIRALs
DECISIVE ACTION.

| SHIPS WERE READY FOR ACTION
PRAISE FOR THE ADMrRALs
DECISIVE ACTION.
JnY rrrrGRAPu 10 THE TRIBUNE,
Washington Jan. 31-While no further news
! was received by the Navy Department to-day
from Admiral Benham relating to his engagement
in the harbor Of Ro with the fleet OF Da Cana,
the real leader Of the brazilian rebels informa-
ton as TO the Admira,s telegram of Monday
night describing the conflict between his ships
and those Of the nsurgent Admiral continues 70
! leak out through official channels. There is APP
parently decided difference OF opinion IN official
| circles as 10 the advisability Of publishing Ad-
I miral Benham's telegram to Secretary Herbert
! What causes considerable amusement among
men who are more or less familiar with the
methods Of doing business in the department IS
the fact that some jealousy exists between state
/ and Navy Department officials. Naval officials
are eager that every word in Admiral Benham's
telegram should be given to the press. They say
/ that If the public could learn how extreme was
/ his provocation at Rio and how promptly he took
decisive action to protect American commerce In
! that harbor A round Of applause would be given
for the Navy and its value as strong arm in
unfolding the honor and dignity Of the country
/ abroad.
At the State Department to-day the dlsposi-
/ ton was 10 make light Of published reports from
| Rio While Secretary Gresham did not say in
so many words that nothing serious had oc-
Cured between the vessels Of this country and
Da Garnas fleet. he gave the impression that
what had occurred was trining When asked
! directly as to whether or not there was an
actual exchange Of shots between the Detroit
| and one or more OF Da Gamas ships. the Secre-
tary exhibited diplomatic reserve that would
hav tn
! OF President Dole's last communication on the
! Hawaiian situation At the White House even
greater secrecy and want Of knowledge Of the
l situation at Rio were displayed. In n word
naval officials desire that Admiral Benham's
message to Secretary Herbert should be promptly
given to the public while the disposition at the
state Department is TO suppress or beittle in
formation on the subject
THE pETROIT's IHJtRED OFFICER
or the further news contained In Admiral Ben
hams telegram. which came to light to-day. that
relating to the number Of vessels engaged on
each side Is of some importance II is now
learned that although the Admiral had all Of
his vessels cleared fop action when he started To
tow the merchantmen ~ their docks. and was
prepared to carry out his programme at what
ever cost. the actual firing was confined to the
Detroit and Ia Gamas cruiser. the Trajano.
Il was also definitely learned that tho officer
wounded the Detroit only slightly in
1ured For some ircvpllcabe reason the Navy
porLrtnien' ,,tlln,s b. nivc out lis name. -
less thIn twenty-five teegrams have b"eu re-
ceIved at the Department to-day inqulrng who
this officer is. and asking for particulars Of his
Injuries. In most cases these kilograms were
from the relatives and friends Of the officers on
the ship II IS worth noting here that Secre-
said hat far no
was Informed (and the Secretary said that ne
had seen the telegram from Admiral Benham).
no officer man on the Detroit was injured
during the brief engagement Either the Secre-
tary desired To- suppress certain facts relating
10 the firing between the Detroit and the
Trajano or he had not received a full copy Of
Admiral Benham's message. II can be stated
positively that an officer Of the Detroit was in
jured during the firing although only slightly.
FIRST SHOT FROM THE TRAJANo.
1t is definitely learned that Da'Gamas vessels
fired the first shot. The shell was sent from the
cruiser Trajano. 1t answered 10y the De-
troit Commander Brownson. II Is said, having
given the order to reply TO the fire from the
brazilian rebels. How many shots sub
sequently fired is matter Of doubt even among
naval officials. Further adyiccs from Admiral
Bcnham giving details Of the conflict are hourly
expected III was tnOuRnt tnat the Adfniral would
send message on the subject to-day. and Of
ficials at the department We're on the lookout
for kilograms from about O'Clock this morning
10 the closing hour this afternoon. As certain
formalitles must be observed in sending telc-
grams from Rio. particularly those in cipher it
is believed that further adviccs from Admiral
Benham may not reach Washington until late
tonight or early tomorrow morning.
Relative TO the cause which led up to the con-
hct between the American ships and the ves- /
sells Of the brazilian insurgents the reports con-
tanned In these dispatches of last night are cor I
rect. Da CANA protested against American /
merchantmen landing their cargoes. Admiral +
Bcnham insisted that they should do 50,
and finally saw that they did theory |
IS current that Ia CANA brought en-
gagcment with the American vessels with n |
view to getting out OF his difficulties with the /
Government forces Of Brazil No crcdcucc Is +
given 10 such reports by naval officials. as no /
sound reason for such policy can be thought /
of. Whatever Da Gamas success or failure III [
opposing the American warshps. the results /
could not affect his relations insurgent |
against the lawful authorities of Brazil.
BENHAMs ACTION GENERALLY APPROVED.
The course Of Admiral Benham In putting an
end to unnecessary Interference with American
commerce seems 10 meet with general COM
mendation In Congressional and Departmental
circles The consensus Of opinion is that the
Admiral acted promptly AMI wisely under the
circumstances. and that his course Is sure to be
OF benefit 10 this country In its future Intercourse
with the Republics OF South America. To those
who have studied the conditions prevalent in
South An erica 1T is apparent that some Of the
Republics Of that country entertain the opinion
that the United States. while reasonably anX-
ious about its commercial relations there. VIII |
not adopt pursue vigorous measures To- guard
them. There ~ no doubt that Captain Picking
displayed too little vigor In protecting American
interests at Rio. He was guided By instructions
from Washington. but he seemed 10 have lacked
the courage to say and do what was necessary
under the circumstances to inspire the proper
reverence for the Stars and Stripes. Admiral
Bcnham. older. yet more mpetuous officer,
showed no hesitation In ignoring the threat OF
Da Cana that the embarrassnentS To American
shipping should continue 1t Is Of interest I'm
this connection to note that on Sunday night