The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-01

He Announced Last Saturday the
Policy He Proposed To Pursue.

WASHINGTON, JAN 3l.-Neither the
State nor Navy Departments received any
further information during the day on the
Brazilian situation. Further information
has been requested from Admiral Benham,
as there seems to be one or two features
of the incident that are rather vaguely
derstood by the Department. 1t is not
known, and it is thought TO be not true,
that any instructions have been sent to
Admiral Benham other than the general
instructions of all naval commanders to
He announced TO the Navy Department on
last Saturday the course he proposed to
pursue and it was undoubtedly approved
before he acted. A surrender by Da Cana
TO Benham would embarraSS this govern
ment and Admiral Benham has either sig
nihed that he understands this or has been.
warned of the fact. His purpose is not to
be understood as intervening against the
insurgents, but simply as protecting Amer
lean interests against aggreSSiOnS by the
insurgents and the policy of the govern
ment is understood TO be one of approval
of Admiral Benham's course in compelling
recognition of rights of American shipping
while refraining from interference In the
internecne struggle in Brazil
Representative Money, OF mississippi,
who intends introducing in the House a res
olution congratulating Admiral Benham for
his action at Rio, says: 'BeEham is a hero,
and his course in firing the shot will be sus-
tanned by the country and Congress. 1t
would do the country good If we had a
good many Benhans, ready to act promptly
i'm sustaining American rights. Promptness
is the essential qualification of q great COM
mander and Benham showed his good jlIdg-
ment in striking while the iron was hot,
instead of cabling for instructions and thus
delaying until the offense 10 American in
terests could not be repaired. Benham is
the first naval hero we have had in years,
and / think the congra tulationS of Con-
greSS are due him.
The feeling of approval of Benham's S
course in using his guns is general in the
House. Mr.. Hit of the foreign affairs
committee says: 'Benham did exactly
right in giving the insurgents lesson one
shot at such u time will do much TO call
emphatic attention TO the fact that Amer
lean interests must not be ignored
Mr. Holman. of Indiana, says that from
the facts now preSe nted Benham was
justified in firing the shot. But il is pret-
ty serious business" slid Mr.. Holman. 'for
a naval officer to haye the right 10 throw
quires the exercise Of the greatest caution
and conservatism"
The Rio Janeiro incident did not receive
attention at the hands of either the Senate
committee on foreign relations or that on ma
val affairs at their meetings to-day The
members of both committees continue 10
express personal interests in the encounter
between the American fleet and the ipsur-
gnt forces, but as yet the matter has not
taken a form TO require congressional ac-
ton. The general tenor of comment to-day.
both on the part of members OF these com
mittees and others, Is commendatory of the
action of Admiral Benham. n majority be-
lieye the incident Is closed, and some ex-
press the opinion that il may have the Of
feet of terminating the hostiities between
the government forces of Brazil and the
.al-