Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-02-09
OUR NAVY NEEDED.
Admiral Benham Protects Ameri-
can Shipping at Rio
FIRED AT THE INSURGENTS.
Benhan r demonstrates and Da Cana
very CurtIy Refuses to cease
Troubling Merchant Vessels
Admiral Da Cana wants to
OnrrondnF

very CurtIy Refuses to cease
Troubling Merchant Vessels
Admiral Da Cana wants TO
Surrender.
The American bark Julia Rollins, captain
Kiehne, from Baltimore, and the American
schooner MlIlie J. H., Captain Sultle, from
New York, were fred on by the insurgents
during night foray last week. Adm'ral
Saldanha da Cana, the commander OF the
insurgent forces at Rio Janeiro, visited Rear
Admiral Benaam, commander OF the Amer
ican squadron. aud was emphatcally told
that the insurgents must at once abandon the
idea that they could with impunity fire upon
American vessels. Admiral Benham asserted
that American ships wou d be protected by
his feet no matter in wbat part OF the har'
Dor they might happen to be.
Admiral da Cana protested against tn's
decision, but finally apparently yielded the
point.
On Saturday the American bark Amy,
CAPTAIN B!ackford. from Baltimore; the
American bark Good News, Captain Myrlck,
also from Baltimore, and tre Julia Rollins
gave notice that they were coming to tne
Saudre piers. Admiral da Cana learned OF
this. and notified Admiral Benham that il
the three vessels attempted to goto the piers
referred to. he would fire on them.
Admiral p jnham at once replied that the
vessels would go to the piers, ifthey wahtsu>
TO and that he would send the Detroit to
protect them. If the Detroit could not afford
sufficient protection, every vessel OF the
American squadron would be employed In
the work Of protection.
Early next morning five insurgent tugs
and armed merchantmen proceeded 70 the
n ace where the American vessels were lying
at anchor an hovered about them, appar-
emily waiting for them to get underway,
when they would fire upon them.
There was great activity displayed on
board the American warships. and soon the
sharp tones Of the boatswains' whistles could
be heard piping the crews to clear the ships
for action.
At Ave o'clock the Detroit hoisted her al
chors. and, with shotted guns, steamed III
beside the insurgent warships Traiano and
Guanabara. both OF which were lying close
TO the Good News. AS the Detroit took up
her position musket from the Guanaeara
was fired at the Good News.
The Detroit at once fired six-pound shot
across the bows OF the Guauabara, where
upon the latter vessel rep led with what Is
supposei to have been blank cartridge.
The Detroit then turned ono OF her guns up
on the Guanabara, and sent small she'll IN
TO her stern post, and was on the point OF
delivering broadside at the insurgent ship.
when the Guanabara signaled that she
would stop firing.
Iu the meantime an American citizen, q.
NJ Rollins, who has acted rs the agent OF
Admiral da CANA in the arbitration negotia-
tious. had visited all three Of the American
merchantmen and offered TO have them towed
at the expense OF theinsurgents ifthey would
not 90 to the piers. This the captains ol the
merchantmen agreed to. This arrangement
WAS reportel to Admiral Ga Cana on board
his flagship, the Liberdale. He then said;
"It is too late. The glass is broken, L
must yield to this foreign fleet OF superior
force. Twill resign, and give my sword to
the American admiral.
Later in the day Admiral da CANA called
council OF h Officers, expecting that all OF
them would seek an asylum on board the
American # aet, but the younger officers would
not Weld. II was stated at the council that
Admiral Bpnham had offered Admiral da
CANA and his officers asylum on board Of
the American warsbips.
What the lnal result Of the trouble be-
tween the fleets will be is not known, Tut
there is one thing that is evident to Every
body. AMI that is that the American mer-
chant vessels are protected in every part OF
the bay
The situation was extremely delicate when
the Detroit was beside the Good News. The
Guanabara and Trajano had their guns
loaded and aimed on all the American ves-
sells. while two heavy insurgent tugs were
ready to ram the Detroit
The Guanabara and Trajano together have
eight splendid rifles ut when the Detroit
fred six pound shell into the Guanabara,
and Captain Brownson warned them that IL
another gun was fred, even by accident, he
would sink them, and advised that they take
ths men Irom their guns, they weakened.
Admiral Benham had the Newark ready to
aid the Detroit, while the New York, Charles
ton and San Francisco were alert 10 receive
the Aouidaban and Tamandare, which were
under steam.
Admiral Benham said "lf Admiral da
Cana was contending for any principle or
position in which any civilized nation would
sustain him, he ought to make fight, but
he is wrong in law everywhere in opposing
u.s."
Benham now has two propositions regard
Ing arbitration, but he will not reveal them
settlement by such means, however Is a.
: present Improbable. While angry at bis de
q cision. The insurgents comment upon Ben
I hams great courtesy and tact in the negotIa
tions. The day before t1e conflict Benn"n
notified the city authorities that the wate
I front would likely be endangered