The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-02-02

american shipping Cannot be Inter-
fered With-The Only Victim of tho
Contest Accidentally Shot Himsolf
While Cleaning IA PistoI-Benham Act.
Ing Only Under General Instructions
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The following
cablegram dated yesterday has been
received from Minister Thomson bv
Secretary Gresham:
''RIO JANEIRo, Jan. 81, 1894.
HAD an interview with Benham. He
has reported the action fully to the
Navy Department. The United States
squadron got under way, cleared for
action and having notified the city and
insurgents OF his intention to protect by
force IL necessary and place alongside
OF docks any American vessels wishing
to go there, the Detroit took position
best afforded to protect with orders that
If the vessels were fred upon to return
fire.
IA boat from one OF the American
vessels, running line preparatory to
hauling in, was fred upon from the in
surgent vessel, but it was not struck.
The Detroit returned fire with a six
FOUNDER. which struck under the bows
OF the insurgent cruiser.
The insurgenJ then fred broadside
of guns to leeward, and later the Detroit
returned fire, the muskets striking the
insurgents stern post. Passing by the
Detroit, her commander hailed tho in
surgent vessel, telling him that if he
fired again the Detroit would return
fire and. if necessary, sink him.
"Ono Of the American vessels having
now been carried into new position
near the dock and u tug having offered
its services to discharge the cargoes of
all, the insurgent leader was notified
that the vessels would discharge from
the positions they were than in, but
that the determination Of the command.
er-in-chief OF the United States squad
ron remained unchanged to give the
American vessels full protection and
place them in their berths at the docks.
If they so desired.
Later the Detroit was withdrawn and
squadron anchored. Benham has not
interfered in the least with military or
naval operations of either side, nor is it
his intention to 10 SO.
"He has notified tho insurgents that it
is his duty to protect Americans ana
commerce of the United States and this
he intends to do, and says American
vessels must not be interfered with in
the consequences (when) getting in the
line of fire where legitimate hostilities
are actively in progress.
Until belligerent rights ara accorded,
insurgents have no right to exercise
authority over American vessels or
property. Right of insurgents to search
neutral vessels or to seize any portion
OF their cargos is denied, even though
they be within the class which may bo
defined as contraband of war during
hostilities between two independents
governments. Forcible seizure of such
articles in the present Status of insur-
gents would constitute an act Of piracy.
Since the effective action of Monday
everything is quiet"
ATTEMPTED blockade of trade and
commerce is broken, and the events
move smoothly. All foreign com.
manders concur as far az am advised"
Admiral Benham submits his report,
which differs but little from the ac-
counts previously sent out The dis
crepancy, however, between Minister
Thompson's statement that the Detroit
fired q six-pound gun and Admiral
Benham's that a one FOUNDER was used,
is due to telegraphic error or to
Minister Thorn pson's unfamiliarity with
naval ordnance.
oeCreJdry ilbrDerC SenJ inc tOllOWlng
telegram to Admiral Benham:
Further information received from
United States minister We are salts
lied entirely with tho prudence and jud I.
ment with which you have carried out
instruc tions and protected American
com merce. Rely upon you for continued
exercise OF wise discretion"
Secretary Herbert's telegram 30 seems
to indicate that tho admiral in making
show OF force and in firing on tho in
surgents had acted under specific in
structions. 1t is explained at the Navy
Department that Admiral Benham was
acting only under general instructions
to protect American interests and to
avoid interference or partisanship, and
that he did not go beyond tho letter or
the spirit OF these directions in his dc.
cisive action of Monday.
The admiral had, however, previously
informed the Department OF his inten-
tion to put stop TO Da Gama's Illegal
interference with American commerce..
The only victim of the hostilities be-
tween Da Cana and Benham in Rio
harbor, so far as reported, is Passed
Assistant Paymaster George Simpson,
OF the cruiser Detroit. According to the
dispatch from Admiral Benham received
before his message concerning Mondays
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