The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-30

Saturday. they returned, saying that they
did not care to embitter the insurgent ad-
mirai by putting themselves under the es-
cort OF the United States naval fleet Capt.
Blackford. of the Amy, however, showed
himself made of sterner stuff, and an
nounced that he would get ready at once
and accept the protection which Admiral
Benham had offered him. Accordingly the
Amy took her position in the ranks OF
the United States war vessels, and the
formidable procession started it's way
up the Rio harbor.
The news that something important was
taking place aboard the American war
ships rapidly spread both on shore and
aboard the ships of all the foreign fleets
represented at this port. The streets of Rio
fronting the bay were crowded with peo-
pie, and every vessel in the harbor present
ed an animated scene its crew rushed
upon deck and the men settled themselves
to witness what followed. The Detroit took
the leading part in the procession. The
feet, as ii approached nearer to Rio, came
quite close to the shore, causing intense
excitement among both the soldiers and
civilians on land and the sailors aboard
the various vessels. The Amy proceeded
on her way to her wharf and was safely
moored there. Not until her captain had
reported that he was fully satisfied did his
powerful escort leave him.
Throughout the whole affair not single
shot was fired, but the scene was quite as
impressive as if this had been done After
passing along Rios water front the fleet
returned out into the bay and anchored
in nearly the same position it occupied
previous to the demonstration. The affair
is the sole absorbing topic of conversation
afioat and ashore tonight.
The policy of noninterference so stead
fastly pursued by Commander Henry F.
Picking was to-day absolutely reversed
by this action of Admiral Benham. Full
protection will be given from this time on
10 all American vessels, as Minister Thomp-
son has all along requested. 1t is believed
here that the Minister'S repeated messages
to Washington in behalf of American ship
owners have at las. had the desired effect
with the present administration, and that
Admiral Benham's action of to-day is the
result Of orders which he has recently re-
ceived.
There can be no doubling the good that
has been done to American shipping in
Brazilian ports by the demonstration in
Rio this morning. 1t has taught both
sides in the present struggle in Brazil, and
they needed the lesson badly, that, however
indiscriminately they may lombard each
others property, the United States intends
resolutely to defend the rights of every
vessel which sails beneath the protection
Of the stars and stripes. The complaints
Of captains of American ships are only
repetitions of what has been going on since
hostilities first commenced here. Captains
of all other foreign ships have had
the same experiences in visit
ing Rio while the insurgents and
Peixoto's army have been peppering each
other with shot and shell. Complaints in
great number have been made to the home
governments by foreign merchants and
ship captains, and commendable perform
ance Of duty by Admiral Benham in afford
ing safety 20 the owners of American craft
will doubtless result in similar orders be-
ing issued for like action on the part of
the commanders of other foreign ships at
this port.