The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1894-02-08
DA GAMA'S GUNS
TURNED ON AMERICAN ME RELIANT.
MEN AT RIO.

Bsuham's Vigorous Measures--
Tho NsbeIs 9uail-Musket shots Rx-
changod-Insurgents Contemplate Sur
rendering to Benham.
RIO JANEIRo Ian .30.-The following
statement has been made to the Asso-
ctated Press correspondent by Admiral
Benham, commander Of the United
States fleet In this harbor:
"The nsurgent forces on Cobras Is
land last Friday fired upon ship flying
the United States flag. protested to
Admiral Saldanna De CANA against
this action, and his response was he
had warned the commander Of the ship
when 1t was at the bar of Rio de janet,
ro as to the whereabouts Of the danger
line. I ordered Admiral De CANA to
cease the firing. Both the guns on the
Island of Corbras and the guns Of the
insurgent war ship Trajana opened fire
Saturday on the bark Of Agate, YES
sci hailing from New York. I warn
ed Admiral De Cana at once that If
the fire was repeated, I would fire back.
also warned him that If he touched
an American ship or American goods
would consider him pirate. told
him that 1 would project American
property absolutely from the fire Of his
guns, and that 1 would retaliate upon
him for any damage done, unless IL was
entirely apparent that the damage was
due to chance shots.
Admiral Benham says that he nOti-
fed Admiral De Cana, unoflicially,
that firing by the insurgents upon the
wharVes, for the purpose merely Of cre-
ating terror and to prolong blockade,
would not be permitted, 80 far as
Americans and American vessels were
concerned.
The captains of three American ves-
sells, Admiral Benham continues, init
mated that they wanted to 60 to the
wharves, and the American admiral
notified Admiral De CANA that it was
his intention to convey them at sunrise
on Monday. Fearing trouble, Admiral
Benham ordered that the vessels of his
fleet be cleared for action. The three
ships referred to were the Amy, the
Good News and the Julia Rollins.
The captains of two Of the ships
weakened and failed to come into the
harbor. The Amy was the only one
that ventured In, and she was escorted
by the United States cruiser Detroit.
AS precaution against any possible
aggressive action on the part of the In
surgents, the crusiers New York, Char.
lesion ami Newark were assigned to
watch the actions Of De Gama's ships,
the Aquidahan and Tamandare, while
the Detroit and the San Francisco were
Slgnalled to take positions near the
Trajano and the Guanabara. These
precautions certainly proved effective
and the insurgents, In the face Of the
formidable array of American vessels,
made but the feeblest attempt to him
der the Amy's progress to her wharf.
No guns were opened upon her by DE
Gama's vessels, and, as matter of
course, the American vessels did not
fire upon the insurgent ships:
The insurgent protest consisted of
this: AS the Amy got abreast of the
Guanabara. a marine on the last named
vessel aimed musket at her and fired.
Two muskets were fired at the GUIANA
bara and the Trajapo from the Amy's
escort, the Detroit In return. This was
all the firing done during the Amy's
trip and 1t was enough. All opposition
ceased at once, and the use of heavy
guns was not considered necessary at
any time.
The reason that the other two ships
which had notified Admiral Benham
that they wished to 60 to their wharves
rallied to do so, was that their com.
manders were persuaded from entering
the harbOr by q man of the name Of
Rollins, who Is believed to be the agent
of an English firm, who has been fur
nishing the rebels with money.
At later hour Admiral De Cana
conferred with his officers upon the ad-
Instability of surrendering to the De-
trOlt, In consequence of the musket
shots fired. He was dissuaded from
doing so, but it Is thought possible that
he may yet decide to surrender to the
American commander.
There Is no doubt that Admiral De
CANA Is in bad way. A proposed
compromise has been refused by Plex-
oto's government and 1t seems to be
only a matter Of time when he will
have to give up the struggle.
The complications of the tnsurgent
situation are increased by the absenca
of Admiral De Mello. The failure of
the latter admiral to arrive here to the
assistance Of the insurgent feet has
given rise to the report that he is dead,
The commanders of sixteen warships
here, including five American and four
English and French, have sent messH.
ges to Admiral Benham, congratulate
ing him upon his prompt action. The
Austrian commander cleared his ship
ouu lnduo Iohuy W nelp Inc American
admiral In case help was necessary.
THE STORY FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.-Au import
ant dispatch from Admiral Benham to
Secretary Herbert was received TODAY
and is to the following effect: 1t seems
that Admiral Benham lost patience
with the insurgent forces for their care.
less firing in the harbor of Rio. When
Admiral Da Cana persisted in this
reckless course, Admiral Benham yes
terday cleared his decks for action.
Admiral Da Cana did not choose to
take the hint, ,whereupon Admiral Ben
ham fired several shots across the bows
Of Da Gama's flagship. 1t Is under.
stood that this action was salutary,an
that the matter ended at that point.
This, II. brief, is the dispatch, 80 1t
Is said. The complications that may
follow are regarded as likely to be serf-
Gus. Our fleet at Rio Is, of course,
much stronger than that Of the rebel
admiral, and it is not likely that the
latter would add to the number of his
assailants by engaging in conflict
With Admiral Benham.