Evening star., 1894-03-02
THE FLEET TO DISPERSE
Admiral Benham's Flagship Will Probably
Soon Return.
The Naval Vessels Mt Rio - Stanton to
Succeed to the Command of
the South Atlantic.

There are excellent reasons for the be-
lief that important changes will soon take
place in the United States fleet at Rio de
Janeiro. 1t is composed of the flagship
New York, San Francisco, Newark Charles
ton and Detroit OF the number the New
ark is the only one that belongs to the sta
ton. The New York and the San Francis
CO belong to the, North Atlantic station
and the Charleston and the Detroit belong
to the Pacific station. The concentration
Of this powerful fleet of warshps at the
Brazilian capital was to insure the COM
plete protection of American interests dur
ing the revolution. The vessels have been
there already much longer than was
thought to be necessary at the time of
the issuance of their sailing orders, and
there are pressing reasons why they should
be sent where they properly belong. Now
that the situation at Rio seems to give
promise of a comparatively early settle
ment of the long-drawn-out insurrection, 1t
IS believed that the fleet can be gradually
withdrawn without the least danger to
American interests, especially as Admiral
Benham has made 1t clear that the United
States proposes to suffer no further inter-
ference with its commerce and that ii
has the ships to enforce it's policy on that
or any other national question.
To Disperse the Fleet.
It is believed that a general breakup in
the Heet Will DeSln III d lew WEEKS, anu
that the San Francisco will be the first
ship to take her departure. She took Ad-
miral Benham to Rio and will probably
bring him back, at least that was the in
tention when she started on her long
cruise to Brazil. Admiral Benham will be
retired on the 18th of April, and he will
relinquish command of the squadron on
that date at the latest 1t is possible that
he may be relieved before that date in or
der that he may be at home when he is
retired. Such is the practice in the navy
when 1t is practical. but there is nothing
obligatory about it. There are twenty-three
cadets on the Brazilian station who must
report at the Naval Academy May IA for
final examination for graduation, and 1t
would be expensive to send them home
by regular passenger steamer. In addi-
ton, there are a number of officers and
men whose terms have nearly expired
Their transportation home must also be
provided for. The main reason. however
for bringing one of the Brazilian squadron
home is that since the loss of the Kear-
sarge the home station has not only been
without flag ship, but has been without a
ship for necessary service in the West
Indies and along the eastern coast of Cen
trail America, where interests of this coun-
try are constantly in jeopardy.
The san Francisco.
1t is these considerations mainly that led
to the conclusion that the San Francisco
will soon be ordered to return to the United
states with Adfniraf Benham, the graduat-
ing cadets and the detached officers and
men as passengers. The New York will
probably follow a few weeks later. 1t Is
possible that the situation may be reversed
and that the New York may start home
first. The departure from Rio of the
Charleston and the Detroit will depend al
together on the progress of events. The
restoration of peace would start them both
off for the Pacific at once and a fairly
strong indication that the revolution was
near an end would cause the immediate
release of at least one of them. 1t is pos
sibie that the outbreak of yellow fever on
the Newark, which has been selected as the
flagship of the South Atlantic statipn, may
necessitate change in present plans. 1t
may be deemed best to send her 20 a colder
climate and substitute another ship as the
flagship of the South Atlantic station. In
main where she is and the Newark take
her place on the Pacific station.
stanton to Succeed Benham.
Admiral Stanton, now commanding The
North Atlantic station, will succeed Ad-
miral Benham in command of the South
Atlantic, in accordance with the original
program. except in the unexpected event
that the court of inquiry in the case of the
Kearsarge shall determine that he was in
some degree responsible for the loss of that
ship. The issue of the necessary orders
Will be delayed until all doubt on that point
Is officially diSpelled. Another point that
is practically settled is that Commodore
Richard w. Meade will succeed TO the COM
mand of the North Atlantic station. He is
now on duty in this city as president of
the examining and retiring board.