The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-02
BENHAM TELLS THE STORY.
OFFICIAL DBsPAICBEs FROM RIO ON
THB DETROIT INCIDENT


Secretary Herbert Cables 10 B..ss- that
Hts Coarse - Approvea-AaInister tt o-.p-
| eos ssnds sor.s hsdItiosai "Details
| Nietheroy said 60 Have Surrendered.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-secretary Herbert to-
! day made public this despatch received from
Admiral Benham. sent on Monday night. and
/ telling Of the trouble with Da CANA:
| e S,cr,'a-y orhs Nary Wo,h'sotoa. ~ q
| The American merchant vessels Saturday
were prevented from going alongside the
wharf To-day MONDAY. Jan. 29l q A. NJ. sent
| the Detroit to take position that would protect
| vessels going alongside the wharf and II fired
upon to return FIRE. My vessels under way and
| cleared for action. After the Detroit took posi-
ton boat from one vessel. running line pre-
| paratory to haul in. was fired upon with mus
kets from insurgent ship.
Detroit returned FIRE with ono FOUNDER.
shot striking under her bow Insurgents
fired broadside gun leeward. Later. insur-
gents fred broadside gun over American mer-
chant vessels. Detroit returned fire. striking
insurEent sternpost Passing by insurRent
he was hailed. saying: II you fire again will
return your FIRE. and IL necessary will sink
you
Detroit anchored to command both vessels.
one m erchant vessel having been carried to
new position near wharf and tug having offer
Insurgent leader was notified these vessels
would discharge from the present positions.
but that my determination was not changed
to give American merchant vessels full pro-
lection to the wharf II they desired to 10.
BENHAM"
The following cablegrsm has been received
from Minister Thompson by Secretary Gresh-
am
RIO DE JANEtRo Jan. II.
Ill. L..
reported the action fully to Navy Department
yesterday morning. The United States squad
ron got under way. cleared for action. and.
having notified city and insurgents OF his in
tention to protect. BY force. II necessary. and
place alongside OF docks any American vessels
wishing to go there. Detroit took position bost
afforded to protect. with orders that II She YES
sells were fired upon to return fire.
"A boat from one OF the American vessels
running line preparatory TO hauling In. was
fred upon from insurgents. but was not
struck. Detroit returned FIRE with six.
FOUNDER. which struck under bows Of insur-
gent cruiser. Insurgent then fred broadside
guns to leeward. and later Detroit returned
fire. m uskets striking insurgents sternpost.
Passing by. Detroit commander hailed in
surgent vessel. telling him that IL he fired
again Detroit would return fire. and. IL neces-
sary. sink him. Ono Of the American vessels
having now been carried into new position
near dock and tug having offered services
gratuitously to discharge cargoes OF all, insur-
gent cruisers leader was notified that the ves-
sells would discharge from tho positions
they were then IN. but that the determinn-
ton OF the commander in chief OF United
States squadron remained unchang ed to give
American vessels full protection and place
them in their berths at docks II thcv so de-
sired, Later Detroit was withdrawn and
squadron anchored. Benham has not inter-
fersd in the least with military or naval oper-
atoms Of either side. nor 10 II his intention to
duty to protect Americans and commerce OF
the United states. aud this he intends to do.
nns 1 With in hsr bu tbsy must
the line Of IRE where Legitimate h0stilities
are actually in progress. Until beliCerent
rights are accorded. insurgents have no right
to exercise AUTHORITY over American vessels or
earsoe. g dsni.d. sven though they may e
tra6and Of war, during hostiiities bstween two
independent Governments. Forcible seizure
f'n sinss 1 the elective ACTON d Monday every
merce and trade is broken and events move
slowly; AZ foreign commanders concur as FAR
The discrepancy In the staten ents OF Minis
ter Thompson and Admiral Benham concern
ing the eaiibre OF tn. gun fred from The De.
straiGhtened out ut the NAVY Department in
favor OF Admiral Benhsm. who said that one
1t is claimed at tho Navy Department that
Admiral Bsnham was acting only under gen
and that he did not 90 beyond the letter or tho
OF Monday. The Admiral had however. pre-
viously informed the department q his inten-
ference with American commerce.
A message sent this AFTERNOON BY Secretary
Herbert to Admiral Benham is as follows:
:" Furth or Information received from United
States Minister. We, are satisfied entirely
you have carried out INSTRUCTIONS and protect
ed American commerce. Rely unon you for
HERBERT"
The Brazilian Govern N emit II Is well under
stood here. keenly appreciates the iriendly
not be due to any want OF cooperation on the
part OF the constitutional Government II the
aside from Great Britain asd given to the
United States as soon rs the disturbing causes
which now hamper the commerce OF Rio har-
Tho only victim OF the hostlitiNs between Da
Cana and benhsm IN hi0 barber as far asyet
George Washington Simpson OF the cruiser
Detroit Accor',inG to despatch irNm 40.
himself In the leg while handling = revolver.
the injury is slight IL is presumed a. the de-
weapon in order for tho expected battle when
the accident occurred. ,.,-,
from Busnos Ayres via lilo de Janeiro from
which latter port she sailed on Jan. H. ar
Capt William l.. lang. who is proceeding to
England on leave OF absence Cart. Lang was
nero. lie told the United Press reporter that
he i9snrSsntss had plenty G1 mopns ne while
Cs sS lang addeT was the mSinstay Of the IN.
surgents. He was well backed by the navy
and general sympathy with him was expressed