The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-31

" " ther news concerning the CRU
lcal condition of affairs at Rio than
that contained in United Press dis,
patches. 1t was positively asserted at
the state department that Sacre tary
Gresham had received nothing what
ever from Minister Thompson and that
the only information as to Rio Jaueiro
complications was obtained from Ad-
miral Benham's dispatches as furnished
by the navy department.
The cable message from Benham
giving an accouns OF the vigorous mea
sures taken by him to stop interference
with American merchantmen by De
CANA, was received by Secretary Her
bert at 10 o'clock last night while
small informal dance was in progress
at the secretary's home. 1t was trans
mitted in naval cipher and the
secretary Immediately sent for Lieu
tenant Mulligan, the cipher trans.
lator of the navy department.
Until o'clock this morning Lieuten
ant Muliigan worked on the message,
and at that hour handed translated
copy to the secretary, who had re-
maiued up to receive il. A copy was
Immediately prepared for Secretary
Gresham and it was delivered at his
hotel at . o'clock this morning. Mem.
bers of the senate committee on
foreign relations and of the house com.
mittes on foreign affairs who have
seen the dispatch say its purport is to
The following effect
ADMIRAL BENHAM PROTESTS
Admiral Benham, finding that Ad-
miral Da ,Gama persisted in reckless
firing that endangered the safety of
American merchant vessels, entered q
protest Da Cana paid no heed to this
and yesterday Benhalp sought to warn
the insurgent admiral by clearing his
decks for action. When Da Cana re.
fused to take this hint, Benham fred
several shots across the bow of Da
Gama's flagship. This had an immedi-
ate and salutary effect aud the matter
ended at that point, so far as Admiral
Benham's dispatches disclose.
The American squadron consisting of
the cruiser, New York, the finest ship
in the navy, the cruisers Detroit, New
ark, Charleston, and the flagship San
Francisco. are of course overwhelm-
ingly superior to anything that Da
Cana has to bring against them.
The news of Admiral Bsnham's ac-
tion was regarded Of such Importance
that Secretary Herbert laid the matter
before President Cleveland early this
morning and the two discussed the sit
ustion until the cabinet meeting
at II o'clock. The questions pre-.
sented were considered at the
meeting and press dispatches from
Rio JaneirO were also carefully
read in the hope that they would be-
stow some new light on the aspect of
affairs. After the meeting adjourned
Secretary Herbert declined to make
public any information sent by Admiral
Benham He said, however, that he
had heard nothing from the admiral
concerning the reported surrender of
Da CANA TO Benham, but if ANYTHING
additional came in from Rio he would
make it public, provided it had no
political bearing.
ENDORSED IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES.
The course of the American admiral
finds warm endorsement in official
circles. An official Of prominence
told a United Press reporter that
Admiral Benham had perfect right
to interfere with Da Gama's move
ments when they became a menace to
the interests of American vessels
The insurgents, he said had not been
recognized as belligerents by the
United States or any other nation.
They had no right to establish block
ade. but they had done so. Yet in es-
tablishing it they took no means to en-
fore it by giving warning sto incoming
vessels. He believed Bsnham had done
right and that he would be endorsed by
the administration for stopping the ar
rogancs of De CANA.
Those who know Admiral Benham
say he is a gallant officer, ever ready to
resent an insult to the flag, but exceed
ingly conservative and not likely to dc
anything without considering it care
fully Besides he had the exmple OF
Admiral Stanton before him and that
was enough to make him doubly dis
Greet. 1t is the general opinion that
Admiral Benham had ample grounds
for bringing Da Cana to q senss oil
the dignity OF the United States and Its
ability to take care of the interests OF
its citizens.
Admiral Benham had the Newark
ready to aid the Detroit, while the New
York, Charleston and San Francisco
were alert to receive the Aquidabar
and Tamandare, which were undel
steam. Admiral Benham said today
IF Admiral De Cana was contendinl
for any principle or position in which
any civilized nation would sustain him
he ought to make fight, but he il
wrong in law everywhere in opposing
us"
GERMANS APPLAUD; BRIToNs CONDEMN
The commander of the Austrian
warship has asked Rear Admiral Ben
ham to be allowed to help In case of {
fight. The German naval officers ap
plaud Benhsm, The English officers