The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-02-08
THE FIGHT IN RIO HARB OR
ONLY a FEW SHOTS EXCHANGED AND
NOBODY HURT.
Admiral Benhsm Is Determined to Protect
American Shipping and Will Blow the
Insurgents Out Of the Water if
They Fool With Him.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-Secretary
Gresham has received dispatch from
Minister Thomson at Rio confirming
the details of Admiral Benham's en-
counter with the insurgents. After
relating the story of the occurrence
exactly as told in Benham's dispatch
co Secretary Herbert Minister Thomp.
son says: "Benhan has not inter
vened in the least with military or
naval operations of either side, nor is
1T his intention to do so. He has
notified the insurgents that it is his
duty to protect Americans and the
commerce of the United States and
that this he intends to do, and says
American vessels must not be inter-
fered with in their movements, but
they must take the consequences
when getting into the line of fire where
legitimate hostilities are actually in
progress.
Until belligerent rights are accord
ed, the insurgents have no right to ex-
ercise authority over American vessels
or property. The right of insurgents
to search neutral vessels or to seize
any portion of their cargoes is de-
MED, even though they be within the
class which may be defined as contra
band of war, during hostilities between
two independent governments. For
chile seizure of such articles in the
present status of the insurgents would
constitute an act of piracy.
Since the effective action of Monday
everything is quiet. The attempted
blockade to commerce and trade is
broken and events move smoothly.
All foreign commanders concur as |
am aware.
[Signed THOMPSON.
HERBERT TO BENHAM.
Secretary Herbert today sent the
following dispatch to Admiral Ben
ham:
IGCGlN6u
United States minister. We are salts
fed entirely with the prudence and
Judgment with which you have car
ried out instructions and protected
American commerce, and rely upon
you for continued exercise of wise dis
cretion.'
REPORT OF THE FIGHT.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-Secretary
Herbert today gave out the following
dispatch from Admiral Benham on
Tuesday:
RIO, Jan. 80, 1894.
To the Secretary of the Navy, Washington
Two American merchant vessels Sat-
urday were prevented from going
alongside the wharf Today at p. H.,
l sent the Detroit to take a position
that would protect the vessels going
alongside the wharf, and if fired upon,
to return the fire. My vessels were
under way and cleared for action. AT
ter the Detroit took position, boat
from one vessel running line prepar-
atory to hauling in, was fired upon
with muskets from the insurgent
ships. The Detroit returned the fire
with one FOUNDER, the shot striking
under her bow. The insurgents fired
a broadside gun leeward. Later, the
insurgents fired broadside gun over
the American merchant vessel. The
Detroit returned the fire with muskets,
striking the insurgents stern post. A
passingby insurgent was hailed, say
ing: If you fire again will return
your fire and if necessary will sink
you The Detroit anchored to com
mand both vessels, having carried to
a new position near the wharf and
tug passing offered her services gratu-
itously to discharge the cargo. The
insurgent leader was notified that the
vessels would discharge from their
present position, but that my determi-
nation was not changed to give Amer
ican merchant vessels full protection to
the wharf if they desired to CO."
INSUFFICIENT SUCCESS REPORTED.
BUENos AYREs, Feb. 1T is re-
ported here that the town of Nictheroy,
which has long been the object of the
main attack upon the part of
the rebels at Rio de Janerio,
has yielded to the insurgents
who have occupied it with their forces.
No confirmation or denial of this re.
port is obtainable as the dispatch sent
is very vague, but it has been rumored
here for some days past that the in
surgents have been successful at Mic
theroy, and it has even been asserted
that the government troops there had
Joined issue with the rebels.