Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-12
A VIGOROUS POLICY
How American Interests Were Protected
in Rio Harbor.
An Interesting Chapter on the Rise
and Fall of the Revolution
IN Brazil.

The annual correspondence OF the De-
partmeut of State. Just published. has a
long and interesting chapter on the rise,
progress and fan of the Brazilian revolli-
ton One fact shown very clearly in this
years Red Book Is that our minister to
Brazil, Air. Thompson. pursued a vigoro IS
policy In support OF the rights Of Americans.
He was the first of the diplomatic corps
TO take a positive stand in that matter.
September % he appealed to Secretary
Gresham to have the Charleston prevent
the bombardment of Rio, which threatened
American life and property. Capt. Picking
was instructed accordingly, and October
Mr.. Thompson, In conjunction with the
French. British. Portuguese and italian
ministers, served the notice on the insur-
gent navy. which undoubtedly saved great
loss OF life and property.
Secretary Gresham's Instructions.
October ii Secretary Gresham instructed
Mr.. Thompson to exert himself in favor of
the innocent trade of American vessels and
of the legitimate inward and outward
trade OF merchandise belonging to United
States citizens. The minister promptly
acted. and after conference with Capt.
Picking notified American citizens that
they might continue loading and unloading
their vessels. using the American flag on
lighters and launches. On October 50 the
minister inquired IL he could protect Amer
lean merchandise on Brazilian barges. us
ing force necessary. Secretary Gresham 8
reply was in the affirmative, provided the
December Il Mr.. Thompson reports that
the British naval officers have ceased pro-
tecting their shipping upon notice from da
Cana that he was about to stop merchan-
disc from landing. Capt Picking had done
likewise. Then the minister fell into what
looked very much like dispute with Capt
Picking. &c insistei that he protect our
shipping. and Picking held that under Sec
Rotary Gresham instructions they could
not unload without exposure to the line
OF fire.
Capt. PickinE's Curt Note.
Minister Thompson urged the captain
again to intervene and in reply got the fol-
lowirg note. which he sent to Secretary
Gresham as IAN unnecessarily curt note"
UNITED STATES CRUISER CHARLES
TON
Trio de Janeiro. Erazil. December 81. 1895.
sir: i have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt OF your communication OF the I'D
instant i acted on your advice once. very
much to my regret ever since i have in
formed you of this verbally heretofore.
HENRY F. PICKING.
captain. United States Navy. Com
manding United States Naval Forces.
South Atlantic Station"
The response to this was the following in
GtrucCon rom secretary GreSnafn, dated
January IL:
Additional Instructions.
"VexatiouS Interference with foreign mer-
chant shipping at a designated anchorage.
with the liter2se OF neutral goods be-
tween such anchorage and a designated
landing by random firing, not necessary to Il
regular plan of hostilities. and having no
other apparent object than the molestation
OF such commerce. is as inegitimate as 1t is
intolerabIe. Hence we have a right to ex-
pect and insist that safe anchorage and
time and place for loading and unloading be
designated, if practicab.e, to be interrupted
only by a notice of actual intention to bonn
bard, or by notification and effective en-
forcement OF blockade.
The insurgents have not been recognized
as belliyerents, and should they announce
a blockade Of the port of Rio, the sole test
of its validity will be their ability to make
IL effective.
Our naval commander at Rio has been
Instructed as above With regard to the pro-
lection of neutral commerce under our nag,
which, II would seem. represents only a
small part OF the foreign commercial inter
ests atioat In the harbor OF Rio. The Brit
tsh ships there are said 10 outnumber those
Of the United States nine to one, but no
substantial interference with our vessels.
however few, will be acquiesced in, unless
made effective with resart'to all foreign
In pursuance of some tangible plan of or
derby military operations"
Admiral Beuham arrived on the scene
and took command about this time. He
escorted American ships to the docks and
finally opened Rio harbor.