Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-02-05
AUTOCRAT|C OA CANA
He Received Assurances
From the British
AND THEN BlOCKADED RIO.
Object Was to Cripple the Revenue Re-
ceipts and Overthrow Reciprocity.

Rio DE JANRIRo. Feb. 5.-The following
facts have been obtained concerning the
events which led to the recent demonstra-
ton by Admiral Benham In this harbor.
So long as Admiral de Mello was In
charge of the insurgent vessels In the bay
and the head of the revolutionary move
ment, no blockade was permitted In this
harbor. Vessels Of foreign nations were
permitted freely to enter the bay, dis.
charge their cargoes at the wharves, re-
load and quietly depart. When Admiral
da CANA, after issuing his pronuncia-
mento against Peixoto, deserted the gov
ernment, he Joined De Mello and issued
his famous imperial manifesto; he also
declared with . great deal of emphasis
that he meant from that time forth to
stop all commerce with Rio de Janeiro.
and by this means practically destroy the
revenue which the Brazilian government
was receiving from this course.
England, he announced, as II on the
authority Of British officials, was anxious
for the restoration Of monarchy through
out Brazil aud the overthrow Of recipro-
city. With this powerful backing he ap-
pearsd to think that he was fully war
ranted In his autocratic action.
Following close upon this declaration
he issued . warning to all vessels, no
matter to what nationality they belonged,
that they must not attempt TO discharge
their cargoes or they would rue IL. Fol-
lowing this example, set by their superior
officer, the other insurgent leaders made
use of the same threats.
Thompson's Protest Of No Avail.
When information of what they had
done reached the ears Of the United States
minister, Mr.. Thompson, he Immediately
made vigorous protest, In the course Of
which he insisted that Admiral da CANA
had NO right to institute suoh blockade.
No matter what the ministers of other
countries thought of tho order, Mr..
Thompson said that he felt 1t his duty to
demand ample protection for all vessels
flying the flag of his country.
Minister Thompson did not rest salts
fed with this protest. but promptly paid
a visit to Commander Henry r. Picking,
who was then In command of the Ameri-
can vessels acre, and asked him In the
most decided manner to afford protection
to all American vessels.
In reply to Minister Thompson, Com
mander Picking said that il an American
sailor was shot while his vessel was in
the act of discharging her cargo, he would
promptly prosecute the captain Of the
rebel warship which was responsible for
the sailors death, Beyond this Com
mander Picking seemed unwilling to go,
and Minister Thompson was thus rem
dered powerless to do anything more for
the protection of American shipping.
Bsnham's Level Head.
Now everything is changed, owing to
the determined action Of Admiral Ben.
ham, who has assured the captains Of
their ships and lighters 50 far as he is
able to do so At the same time, how
ever, he has warned these captains that he
cannot prevent them from running the
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
Admiral da CANA threatened to
promptly seize them II they tow lighters
which are discharging.
Admiral Benham thinks that the risk
at the wharves is slight, but he refuses at
present to advise American captains how
they should act He is determined, how
ever, to afford them all the protection he
can.
The reported sinking of the torpedo
boat on Monday last was without foun-
dation.
One OF Peixoto's American warships
has arrived at Pernambuco, with her
machinery deranged