Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-02-08
DA GAMA'S BLUFF.
He Said Great Britain Would
Back Him Up.
A LONG DRAFT on HIS IMAGINATION.
He Il Said to Have Realised the Fass
That Adm. Benham Is In Earn
est and IL Now Do

RIO DE JANEIRo, Feb 5.-The press
correspondent here has made as thor
ough an investigation as is possible un-
der the circumstance OF the causes
which led up TO the recent demonstra-
tion by Adm. Benham in the harbor In
defense Of American shipping, which
has been subjected for long time 70
the reckless ariuR of the insurgents.
As a result Of the inquiries tho follow
ing facts have been obtained;
30 long as Adm. de Mello was In
charge OF the insurgent vessels at Rio,
no blockade was permitted in this har-
Dor. Vessels Of foreign nations were
permitted freely 10 enter the bay, dis
charge their cargoes at the wharves,
reload and quietly depart When da
CANA, after issuing his pronunciamento
against Peixoto, deserted the govern
ment joined de Mello and issued his
famous imperial manifesto, he declared
with a good deal of emphasis that he
meant from that time forth to stop all
commerce with Rio Janeiro and by this
means practically destroy the revenue
which the Brazilian government was
receiving from this source.
England, he announced, as II on the
authority Of British officials, was
anxious for the return of monarchy
throughout Brazil and the overthrow
of reciprocity. With this powerful
backing he appeared TO think he was
fully warranted in his autocratic ac-
tions. Following close upon this dec
laration he issued warning to all ves-
sells, no matter to what nationality
they belonged, that they must not at
tempt 30 discharge their cargoes or
they would rue It. Following this ex-
ample set by their superior officer. tho
other insurgent leaders made use Of
the same threata
When information of what they had
done had reached the ears OF the United
States minister. Mr.. Thompson, he i'm
mediately made vigorous protest. In
which he insisted that Adm da CANA
had no right to institute such block
ade. No matter what the minister Of
the other countries thought of the or
der, Mr.. Thompson said he felt 10 his
duty to demand ample protection for
all vessels flying the flag of his coun-
try. He did not rest satisfied with this
protest, but promptly paid a visit TO
Com. Henry Il. Picking, who was then
In command Of the warships here, and
asked him in the most decided manner
to afford protection to all American
vessels.
In reply to Minister Thompson, Com.
| Picking said IL an American sailor was
shot while his vessel was in the act of
discharging her cargo, he would
promptly prosecute the captain Of tho
rebel war ship which was responsible
for the sailors death. Beyond this he
seemed unwilling to go, and Minister
Thompson was thus rendered powerless
to do anything more for the protection
of American ships
Now, everything is changed owing
to the determined action OF Adm. BEN
ham, who has assured the captains of
American vessels he will protect their
ships and lighters so far as he is able
to do so. At the same time, however,
he has warned these captains he can
not prevent them from running the
risk of chance shots at the wharves.
IL Is impossible to discharge cargoes
elsewhere.
All the tugs used in towing the ves-
sells are owned by Brazilians, and Adm.
da CANA threatens TO promptly seize
them II they tow lighters which ore
discharging cargoes Adm. Benham
thinks the risk at the wharves is slight,
but he refuses at present to advise
| American captains how they should
act. He is determined, however, to
afford them all the protection he can.
The reported sinking of a torpedo
boat on Monday last was unfounded.