The herald., 1894-01-30
AN EXCITING DAY At RIO
Admiral Benham Loses His
Temper.
He Makes a Demonstration
With His Fleet.
Commander Picking's Non-Interfer-
ence Policy Reversed.
Yankee Merchantmen Protected from
the Fire of Rebel Guns-A Lesson
for Da Gama-Benhsm In.
suited by Peixoto.
By the Associated Press.

| Dy thc AnnOClhttu TIesbs
Rio DE JANEIRo, Jan. 29-T Copy
righted, 1894, by the Associated Press. ]
This has been one OF the most exciting
days Rio has experienced since the
commencement of hostilities. The
United States naval feet stationed in
the harbor has furnished the excite
ment. The cause Of all the trouble was
the treatment to which three American
barks were subjected to last Saturday
by an indiscriminste tusillade from the
insurgent warships. The American
vessels were the bark AMY, Captain
Blackford OF Maine; the bark Good
News, Captain Myric, Baltimore; the
bark Julia Rollins, Captain Kiehne,
Baltimore. The Amy arrived here last
Friday the Good News on January Sd,
from Bahia; the Julia Rollins on Janu-
ary 25th. Saturday, while lying at
anchor, all three vessels were endsn-
gered by chance shots fred by the in-
surgents. Their captains appealed for
protection to the United States war
ships, and requested that the barks be
given an escort to the wharves. Admi-
raj Benham promised he would do ev-
erything in his power to afford the full
est protection. Accordingly the admiral
sent an officer to the Aquidaban to ask
CANA to have an end put to the rock
less cunning.
Cana was apparently in bad humor
when the officer arrived, and with many
exclamatione of impatience listened to
the recital of the captains grievance.
When the officer had finished his
statement, Cana said in sharp tone:
"It is not my fault. The American ship
captains should know enough to keep
themselves and crews out. OF the range
OF our guns. shall not take any notice
OF this matter -
Admiral Benham determined to make
such showing aH would produce lastA
ing effect upon the insurgents. He al
lowed Sunday to pass quietly and with
out any appearance that he intended to
take further notice OF the affair. Early
this morning, however. the greatest
activity prevailed on board the feet.
fiagships New York, Newark, San Fran
cisco, Detroit and other United States
war vessels were cleared for action and
the anchors raised.
Admiral Benham sent word to the
captains of the American vessels that
he was prepared to keep his promise
and as soon as they were ready to pro-
ceed he would escort them to the
wharves. Captains Kiehne and Myrick
weakened and did not want to accept
Benham's offer, but Captain Blackford
put his ship in the ranks OF the United
States war vessels and the formidable
procession started up the hsrbor. The
feet came quite close to shore, causing
great excitement among the soldiers
and civilians on land and the
sailors on board the vessels in the
harbor. The Amy was conducted
safely to the wharf and left there. Not
single shot was fred as the feet made
it's trip. After passing along the water
front the feet returned out into the bay
and came to anchor again.
The affair is the sole topic of conver-
sation af1oat and Ashore tonight. Com
mander Picking's policy of non-inter-
ference has been reversed by Benham,
and hereafter full protection will be
given to all American vessels. 1t is be-
lieved the admiral's action today is the
result of orders received from Washing
ton, and will have good effect in teach
ing the belligerent5 on both sides to
respect the rights of vessels sailing
under the stars and stripes. Benham's
course will doubtless result in similar
action by representatives OF other ma
tions in Rio.