The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-02-01
BENHAM DID RIGHT
The Admiral's Actions ifl
Rio Harbor Endorsed by
the. Government.
HERBERT's MESSAGE
The Future Entrusted to His
Observation-Disclosures Thomp-
sons Report.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 1s94.-Secretary
Herbert this afternoon sent cable message
to Admiral Benharn, telling him of the re-
ceipt of Minister Thompson's report and en-
dorsing, in the name of this government,
Admiral Benham's action in protecting
American interests, and informing him that
the future is entrusted to his discretion.
MINISTER THoMPsoN's REPORT.
The following cablegram, dated yesterday
has been received from Minister Thompson
by Secretary Gresham
'RIo JANEIRo, Jan. 81, 1894
Had an interview with Benham.
He has reported the action
fully to Navy Department yesterday
morning. The United States Squadron got
under way cleared for action and having
notified city and insurgents of his intention
to protect by force, if necessary, and place
wishing to go there, Detroit took position
best afforded to protect, with orders that il
the vessels were fred upon to return fire.
''A boat from one of the American vessels
running line preparatory to hauling in, was
fired upon from insurgents, but was not
struck. Detroit returned fire with six
FOUNDER, which struck under bows of in
surgent cruiser. Insurgent then fired broad
side guns to leeward, and later Detroit re-
turned fire, muskets striking insurgents
sternpost.
Passing by Detroit, Commander hailed
insurgent vessel telling him that if he fired
again, Detroit would fire, and If necessary,
sink him. One of the American vessels
having now been carried into new
position near dock and tug having offered
services gratuitously to discharge the car
goes of all, insurgent cruisers leader was
E1I %1ok H.,
from the positions they were then I'D, but
that the determination. of the commander
in-chief of the United States ssdiadron
remained unchanged to give American yes
sells full protecti on and place them in their
berths at docks if theyso desired. Latar
Detroit was withdrawn and squadron ana
chored.
WHAT BENHAM WILL DO. ~
"Benham has not interfered in thealeas&|
with military or naval operations OF eithNX
side, nor is it bis intention to do so. He ha
notified insurgents that it is ~hlS
duty to protect Americans and corqs
merce of the United States, and this hss
intends to do, and says American vessels
must not be interfered with in their move
ments, but they must taksa thea consequences
when getting in the line d&fire where legitl-
mate hostilties are actually in pro-
gress. Until belligerent rights are
accorded insurgents have no right to exer-
else authority over American vessels or prop
erty. Right of insurgents to search
neutral vessels or to seize any portion of
their cargoes is denied, even though they
be within the class which may be
defined as contraband of war, during
hositilities between two independent
governments Forcible seizure of such arti-
cles in the present status of insurgents would
constitute an act of piracy.
s'Since the effective action of Monday
everything is quiet. Attempted blockade OF
1a se I,4r~lr ff4ea
events move smoothly. All foreign conn
manders concur as far as advised"