The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-02-07

action and his response was that he had
warned the commander of the ship when
IL was at the bar at Rio Janeiro as TO
the whereabouts of the danger line
ordered Admiral da Cana to cease firing
Both the guns on the island Of Cobras
and the guns of the insurgent warship
Traiano opened fire Saturday upon the
bark Agate, a vessel hailing from New
York
II warned Admiral da CANA at once
that II the fire was repeated | would
fire back. l also warned him that If he
touched an American ship or American
goods would consider him a pirate. Il
told him that I would protect American
property absolutely from the fire of his
guns, and that ] should retaliate upon
him for damage done unless it was en-
urely apparent that the damage was
due to chance Shots
Admiral Benham says that he notified
Admiral da Cana unOfiiciallly that firing
by the insurgents upon the wharves for
the purpose merely OF creating terror
and to prolong a blockade would not be
permitted SO far as Americans and
American vessels were concerned. To
this communication the insurgent adj
mifal made no answer.
The captains of American vessels. Nd
nliral Benham continues. intimated that
they wanted to go to the wharves and
the American admiral notified Admiral
da Cana that it was his intention TO
convey them at sunrise on Monday.
Fearing trouble Admiral Benham or
Qered that the vessels of his fleet be
cleared for action. The three ships re-
ferred to were the Amy, the Good News
and the Julia Rollins. The captains of
two OF the ships weakened and failed to
come into the harbor
The Amy was the only one that VEN
tured in and she was escorted by the
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caution against any possible aggressive
action on the part of the insurgents, the
cruisers New York, Charleston and New
ark were assigned to watch the actions
of Da Gama's ships. Aquidaban and
Tamandare. while the Detroit and the
TONS near the Trajano and the Guiana
barba.
Effective Precautions.
These precautions certainly proved ef-
fective and the insurgents, in face of the
formidable array of American vessels,
made but the feebIest attempt To hinder
the Amy's progress to her wharf. No
guns were opened upon her by Da
Gama's vessels and. as matter of
course, the American vessels diG not fire
upon the insurgent ships.
The insurgent protest consisted of this:
As the Amy got abreast of the Guiana
bara a marine on the last named vessel
aimed a musket at her and fred. Two
musket shots were fired at the Guiana
bara and the Trajano from the Amy's
escort. the Detroit, In return. This was
all the firing done during the Amy's trip,
and IL was enough. All opposition
ceased at once and the use Of heavy
guns was not considered necessary at
any time.
The reason that the other two ships
which had notified Admiral Benham that
they wished to go to their wharves
failed to do so is that their command
ers were persuaded from entering the
harbor by a man of the name of Rollins,
who is believed TO be agent Of an En-
glish firm which has been furnishing the
rebels with money.
CANA In "a Had Way.
At a later hour Admiral Da CANA con-
ferred with his officers upon the advis-
ability of surrendering to the Detroit in
consequence of the musket shots fired.
He was dissIaded from doing so. but It
is thought possible that he may yet
decide to surrender TO the American COM
nander.
There is no doubt that Admiral Da
Cana is in a bad way. \ proposed COM
promise has been refused by Peixoto's
government and it seems to be only a
matter of time when he will have to
Of the insurgent situation are increased
by the absence of Admiral de Mello. The
failure Of the latter admiral to arrive
here to the assistance of the insurgent
fleet has given rise to the report that
he is dead.
Admiral Benhnm Congratulated.
The commanders of sixteen warships
here, including five American and four
English and French have sent messages
to Admiral Benham congratulating him
upon his prompt action. The Austrian
commander cleared ship and made ready
to help the American admiral in case
help was necessary.
Alarming reports have been received
here of government disasters at Curu-
tiba, Paranagua and Antonina. 1t is
stated that these places have been cap
tured by the insurgents and that the
government troops have fed, abandon
ing their arms and munitions of war.