The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-02
M CANA RANKS ASPIRATE
official Reports On the Bold Stand Of
Admiral Benham.

,5,niraPs Course Approved By
administration officials at
lexington - Minister Thompson
.,.les Especial Mention of the I'm
na-tial Attitude Toward the Bellis-
pa pa Maintained by Admiral Ben
ham.
uosbington, Feb. 1.-The following ca
~ dated yesterday, has been re-
V4e.57-l from Minister Thompson by Secre-
'S I;, Taneiro. Jan. 81, 1891 had an inter
nv Ut ADMIRAL Benham. He has reported
". .,tion fully to the navy department. The
t'.d states squadron got under way,
I'M IN Tor action. and the admiral having no.
cIe4l' it,, and insurgents of his intention
u1o l..ac+ nv force il necessary. and place
v p 'YJ5 NJ the docks any American vessels
-sing to 90 there, the Detroit took the posi-
Niol tast afforded to protect with orders that
~ ressels we're fired upon to return The
boat from one of the American YES
- rbiie running line preparatory TO haul
-, was fred upon by the insurgents, but
vas not struck.
~ Detroit returned the fire with a
srarnder which struck under the bows OF
ne fnsurgent cruiser. -.
~ 1-sa i,srrgent then fred her broadside guns
- lesvard. and later the Detroit returned the
w. 1aIIs from the muskets striking the in
.rrgent ship stern post.
THE rNsURGENr SHIP WARNED.
possnp by the Detroit's commander hailed
~ insrr1ent vessel, telling MIN tnat if he
Sod ayafn the Detroit would return the fire,
n a,d Unnecessary sink him. One Of the Ameri-
a-r yssse.s having now been carried into a
now position near the dock. and tug having
o4sre5 its services gratuitously to discharge
.rs car-oes of all. the insurgent leader was
roti4e5 that the vessels would discharge
,rom the positions they were'then in, but that
,1e determination of the commander in chief
NJ the United states squadron remained un-
+ changed to give American vessels full pro
lection. and place them in their berths at the
5ocss if they so desired. Later the Detroit
was withdrawn and the squadron anchored.
Admiral Benham has not intertered in the
least with the military or naval operations OF
either side nor is il his intention to do so.
III He has notified the insurgents that 1t is his
duty to protect Americans and the commerce
of the United States and this he intends to
do and he says American vessels must not be
III inlertered with in their movements. but they
Il must take the consequences when getting in
the line Of hTe where legitimate hostilities
are actually in progress. Until belugerent
81 rights are accorded, the insurgents have no
right TO exercise authority over American
"A vessels or property The right OF the insur-
gents TO search neutral vessels or to seize any
Il norton Of their cargOes is denied even though
tbey be within the class which may be de-
N fined as cOntraband of war during hostiltties
le.ween two independent governments.
II FOrcible seizure Of such articles in the
present status of the insurgents would con-
Since the effective action Of Monday every
thing is quiet. The attempted blockade OF
commerce and trade is broken, ana events
move smoothly. All the foreign commanders
concur as far as l am advised.
ADMIRAL BENHAM's REPORT.
Admiral Benham's report is dated Rio,
and was received Jan. 20, and is as fol-
lows:
Two American merchant vessels, Saturday,
were prevented from going alongside the
wharf, To-day at a. m. sent the Detroit
to take position that would protect vessels
going alongside the wharf and if fired upon
10 return the fire. My vessels got under
way and cleared for action. After the Detroit
III took her position, boat from one
vessel running line preparatory to
kes from an insurgent ship, The
Detroit returned the fire with FOUNDER
the shot striking under her bow. The insur-
gent fired her broadside guns to the lee
gun over the American merchant vessels.
The Detroit returned the fire with musket,
striking the lnsurgent stern post. Passing
Ia by the lnsurgent, he was hailed saying, Iii
you ire again. / will return your fire, and il
necessary, will sink you"
+. The Detroit anchored so as to command
ooth vessels. the merchant vessel having
I'll Detn ca're1 to new position near the wharf
+ and tug having offered its services gratui-
tousy, to discharge her cargo, The insur-
gent leader was notified that these vessels
Eo We, !5 dlscharge from the present positions,
ou1 maj my determination was not changed
OsHe American merchant vessels full pro-
81 'e'uon to the wharf, if they desire to go.'
DISCREPANCY EXPLAINED.
The discrepancy between Minister
InompsonS statement that the Detroit
lred b-pound gun, and Admiral Ben
nam mat l-pounder was used is due
loa Geographic error or to Mr. Thomp-
Son uniamiliarity with naval ordnance
secretary Herbert to-day sent the fol-
lowing telegram to Admiral Benham:
III ruftner information has been received
TOM tne United States minister We are
SaJshed entirely with the prudence. and
Judgment with which you have carried
VlI your instructions and protected
A11eTlcdn commerce. We rely upon you
Ioi Vuhtnued exercise of wise discretion"
secretary Herberts telegram seems to
Iu0lcate that the admiral in making a
ouUM Of lorce and firing on the insur-
seIIS' mad acted under specific instruc-
.ons' IL IS explained at the navy depart
a mgnI That Admiral Benham acted
Vnl$ under general instructions to pro-
49, te.t american interests and to avoid in
AKA G5 'eIeuce or partisanship, and that he
otu not go beyond the letter or the spirit
VI VI SSHIese directions in his decisive action
y. Monday, The admiral had, however,
P piS !Iously informed the department of
c c,o M enuon TO put stop to Admiral de
C Call aa! 5 Illegal interference with Ameri-
NcrHERoY sURRENDERs.
bon Dut mos Ayres, Feb. lit is reported
bes mat the town of Nictheroy, which
t t,p9 -olg been the object of the main at
S 4' n 1o. upon the part of the rebels at Rio
Wb oG5u nro has yielded to the insurgents,
'AO nave occupied it with their forces.