The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-02
HERBERT SENDS HIS APPROVAL
The Facts About the Recent Incident
at Bio Aseertained.
summary OF 1amA's Protest to the
Naval Commanders, Which They Ig-
nored-The Insurgents obtain Sup
plies and Renew the Bombardm.n,.


have obtained fresh supply of provisions.
There has been smart exchange of shots
between the insurgent squadron and the
government forces. Both the insnrcent
ships Tanandare and Aquidaban we're
struck and slightly damaged. The insur-
gents are making preparations to effect a
landing. The government telegraph wires
have been cut.
Following is the letter Admiral Cana
sent yesterday TO the conference of naval
commanders TO discuss the action of Ad-
miEai Benham in protecting American
vessels:
AT the beginning Of the revolution the
city OF Rio Janeiro was defended by six
nei6pieces and was at the mercy of the
squadron IN the harbor. The chiefs of the
foreign naval fleets in collective and
unanimous vote declared that they would
oppose with force bonibardment. unless
provoked from land. On learning this
President Peixoto withdrew ms fieldpieces
and by stratagem began the work of re-
iortiiying the city with numerous and
heavy guns. The work was begun recently
and was completed openly. All the hills
of the city are marked bv fortificatrons
and the monasteries' and factories have
been converted into tortresses: trenches
nave been dug in the streets and other
methods taken TO make the CITY secure
Along with these measures il vas reported
that i, was the intention of the govern
ment soon to open fire upon the SQUAD
ron."
After making this statement CANA asks.
Are the conditions the samep Are not
you TO blame for the change? Shall Won
not force Peixoto to keen his compact ?
The task Of the squadron is more arduous.
rfs&x nd @a
ter. Our compact will be kent. but We re-
serve the right TO reply to the city bat
teries when they deserve it, without no.
tice. The blame for the result will be
upon YOU"
Admiral Benham sent word TO CANA
that he would not interfere with military
operations. and told him he would only
OBJECT when he fired upon American shius
for the purpose of frightening them from
going to the wharves Benham says no
compact exists between the commanders
of foreign fleets They withdrew from the
agreement for the protection of the city
against bombardment by the insurgent
vessels months ago. The admiral says he
has asked the goyernm ment at Washington
whether he shall insist upon notice being
given by the insurgents previous TO any
atte mpt to lombard the city. He think,
that as Rio is fortified he will not be iusti.
fed in interfering with any move of this
sort on the part of CANA. 1t is evident
the commanders of other foreign fleets are
also doubtful OH this point, as they have
also asked instructions from their govern
ments. Benham has warned the com.
manders of American ships in the harbor
that bombardment is poss ible, and has
told them what they should do and indi-
Gated to what extent he could protect
them.
WASHINGTON Cry, Feb. 1.-The feeling
OF pride and exultation in navy depart
ment circles over the achievement of
Admiral Benham and Commander Brown.
son at Rio. is displayed without effort of
concealment. II is pretty well understood
that the admiral acted on his own discre-
tion throughout the affair. The message
sent 20 him today by Secretary Herbert is
an unequivocai commendation of his course
in every particular. The correspondence
made public today was given out after a
conference between Secretary Herbert and
the president.
Gresham has received a dispatch from
Minister Thompson at Rio, confirming
the details of Admiral Benham's en-
counter with the insurgents. After relat-
ing the story as told in Benham's dispatch.
Thompson says:
'Benham has not interfered in the least
with the military or naval operations of
either side, nor IS 1t bis intention to do SO.
lie has notified the insurgents that it is
ms duty TO protecs American commerce.
and this he intends TO do. and SAYS Ameri-
can vessels must not be interfered
with in their movements, but must
take the consequences OF getting in
the line OF fire where legitimate
hostilities are actually in progress. Until
be ligerent rights are conceded the in.ur-
gents have no right 10 exercise authority
over American vessels or property. The
r ghts of the insurgents TO search neutral
vessels or seize any portion of their car
goes IS denied, even though they are
within the class defined as contrabaud Of
war, during hostilites between indepeud.
ent governments. The forcibIe seizure of
such articles in the present status OF the
insurgents would constitute acts OF
piracy. Since the effective action OF Mon
day everything is quiet The ATTEMPTED
blockade TO commerce aud trade is broken,
and events have moved smoothly. All
he foreign commanders concur, az far as
! am advised.
Secretary Herbert has sent the following
10 Admiral Benham al Rio:
Further information has been received
from the United States minister We are
entirely with the prudence and
judgment with which you have carried
out your instructions and protected Amer
lean commerce. and RELY upon YOU for the
ontinned exercise OF wise discretion"
Secretary Herbert has given out the fol-
lowing dispatch from Admiral Benham,
dated January 81:
Two American merchant vessels were
from going alon gSide the wharf
i oday 80 q. IN | sent the Detroit to take
q position that would protect the vessels
going alongside the wharf and IL fired
upon. TO return the tire. Ny vessels got
under way and cleared for action After
the Detroit took her position a boat from
one Of the vessels running q line prepara-
tory 70 hauling In. was fired upon with
fnuskets from an iGsgrgent ship. The De-
troit returned the ire with a one-poander,
the shot striking under the insurgents
bow. IGe insurgents fired a broadslde
gun TO leewsTa. and later the insurgents
hred brozdslde gun over the American
merchant vessel The Detroit returned
the fire with muskets, str king the inSur-
gents sternpost. Passing the insargemt
be Sas haiied. saying II you fire again
| slli return your bre and II necessary
sink you The Detroit anchored So as TO
command bolh vessels. 0ae merchant
vessel having been carried 70 3 new posi-
lion near the wharf and tags having o.
feed service Erstuifous.y 20 discharge her
cargo, the inxargeut leader vas notiTei