The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-01
Needed THE LESSON
Admiral Da CANA Now Less Care
less with His Shot and Shell.
Vessels of All Nationalities Permitted
to Reach Their Wharyes With
out MOlestatiOn.
BENHAM'S ACT APPLAUDED
His Course Endorsed by Command
ers of Foreign Fleets.
Protest from the Rebel Admirable
Wants Permission to BOmbard Rio
Views of congressman.

Copyright, 1894, by the Associated Press.)
RIO DE JANEIfsO, Jan. 31.-The action
of Admiral Benham in protecting American
ships i'm their efforts to land at the wharves
in this harbor has had a salutary effect.
English and merchant ships of other
tionalitieS are now coming up to their
wharves without any sign of molestation
on the part of the insurgent vessels. Ad-
miral Benham's bold stand against inter-
ference with vessels of his country is gen.
orally applauded.
The exchange of shots between the in
surgent and government forces has practic-
ally ceased during the past twenty-four
hours. This is the first time for four
months that a day has passed that there
was not more or less firing. The unofficial
warning which Admiral Benham gave TO
Admiral Da Cana that firing upon the
wharves for the mere purpose of creating
a blockade by terror must cease has been
Needed. All the foreigners are delighted
with the result of the Americans conduct.
The commanders OF the foreign fleets held
a conference to-day to discuss the action
Of Admiral Benham, and resolutions were
adopted fully indorsing the course that he
pursued.
Much regret is expressed at the absence
from Rio Janeiro of American Consul
general Townes. Vice Consul Lewis is lit
tie more than a, boy, and Americans here
hardly think him competent to act as the
representative of the United States at such
a critical juncture. They say that his lack
of familiarity with diplomatic affairs is
liable to lead him constantly into blunders
The report that Senior Moura, Minister
of War, had resigned, is not true 1t was
The report that the Brazilian governments
cruiser America had arrived outside this
harbor on Monday proves to be without
foundation.
Admiral Da CANA feels aggrieved at Adj
mral Benham He sent a letter to the
American admiral to-day protesting against
the ostentatious manner in which the
American commander had humiliated him.
He says he will yield for time to superior
force, but that as he was compelled to al
low American ships to come to their
wharves he has officially notified the rep
resentatives of all other nations that they
may do the same. He declares that the in
surgents have held the harbor for five
months and says that now, if the shore
batteries fire on him. he will be unable to
reply for fear of hurting neutral ships and
will also be unable to protect his men.
Admiral Da CANA also sent a letter to the
officers who had gathered in conference to
discuss Admiral Benham's action, asking
that he might be permitted to lombard the
city without notice No answer sent
to him, but Admiral Benham stated TO the
Associated Press correspondent that he
would grant the insurgent admiral permis-
sion to lombard the city. but he would re-
aure that forty-eight hours notice be given
so that noncombatants would be able TO
seek shelter.