The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-02-05

Rio De JANEIno, Fob. 4-Tho Asso-
ciatcd Press correspondent in this city
has made rs thorough an investigation
as Is possible undor tho circumstances
Of the causes which led up to tho recent
demonstration by Admiral Bonham in
this harbor in doionso of American
shipping, which has been subjected for
a long tino to the reckless firing OF tho
insurgent fleet
As n result OF tho correspondence in.
quirics the following facts have been
obtained:
So long as Admiral Do Mello was in
charge OF tho insurgent vessels in Rio
bay, and the head OF tho revolutionary
movement, no blockade was permitted
IN this iarbor. Vesscls OF foreign m.
tions were permitted freely to enter tho
bay, discharge their cargoes Mt tho
wharves, reload and quietly depart.
When Admiral Da Cana, after issuing
mis- pronunciamenso against Peixoto,
deserted the government, joined Dc
Mello and iesued his famous imperial
manifesto, he declared, with grea.
deal OF emphasis, that he meant from
that time forth to stop all commerce
with Rio De Janeiro, aud by this means
practically destroy the revenue which
the Brazilian government was receiving
from this source.
England, he announced, as il on tho
authority OF British officials, was anx-
ious for tho restoration of monarchy
throughout Brazil and the overthrow OF
reciprocity.
With this powerful backing he up.
peared to think that hc was fully war
ranted in his autocraticaction. Follow
ing close upon this declaration no is.
sued warning to all vessels, no matter
to what nationality they belonged, that
they must not attempt to discharge
their cargoes or they would ruc it.
Following this example set by
the superior officer, the other
insurgent leaders made use Of
the same threats. When information
of what they had done rcached the ears
| Of tho United States minister, Mr..
Thompson made vigorous protest, in
the course OF which he Insisted that
Admiral Da. Cana had no right to do
it. No matter what the minister
thought Of this course, {Mr Thompson
thought it his duty to demand ample
protection for all vessels flying tho flag
OF his country. Minister Thompson did
not seem satisfied with this protcat, but
paid visit to Commander Henry +.
Picking, who was then in command OF
the American warships there, and
asked him in the most decided manner
to afford protection to all American
vessels.
In reply to Minister Thompson, Corn.
mander Picking said that il an Ameri.
can sailor was shot while his vessel was
in the act OF discharging hor cargo he
would promptly prosecute the captain
OF the rebel warship which was re-
sponsible ior the sailors death. Beyond
this. Commander Picking seemed un-
willing to 20 and Minister Thompson
was rendered powerless to do anything
| more. /, d
Now everything is changed, owing to
the determined action OF Admiral BEN
ham who has assured tho captains OF
American vessels that he will protect
their ships and lighters 80 far as he ia
able to do so.
At tho sams time, however, he has
warned these captains that he cannot
prevent them from running tho risk Of
chance shots at the wharves.
1t is impossible to discharge cargoes
elsewhere. All the tugs used in towing
the vessels are owned by Brazilians and
Da Cana threatened to promptly seize
them il they towed lighters which arc
dischareinr.
Admiral Benhan thinks that the risk
at the wnrves is slight and he refuses at
present to advise American captains
how they should act. fIc is deter
mined, however. TO afford them all the
protection he can.
The reported sinking Of. tho torpedo
boa, on Monday last was without
foundation. i.