Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-01-30

has been one OF tho most exciting days
that Rio de Janeiro has experienced
since the commencement OF hostilities
between tho insurgents and the Bra
lillian government.
The United States naval feet sta
toned in this harbor has furnished the
excitement.
Provoked beyond the endurance OF
patience by the continued carelessness
Of the gunners aboard the rebel war
ship Aquidaban and tried by the in
difference shown by the revolutionary
Admiral to all his protests that Amer.
lean vessels entering aud leav-
ing the harbor were not af-
iorded proper protection by the
rebel fleet, Admiral Renham to-day
made demonstration with the
American war vessels under his COM
mand which has taught a much needed
lesson TO the oelligerents on both sides
and which will undoubtedly have the
effect hereafter OF securing proper re-
cognition of the rights OF all vessels
carrying the American dag.
Ia the event OF to-day the foreign
| colony was particularly Interested aud
tho action OF Admiral Bcuham will
| probably furnish precedent by which
] the commanders OF the other foreign
vessels In this port will be guided In
| the future. The cause OF all the trouble
was the treatment To which three
! American oarks were subjected OF last
Saturday by the iudiscrIminate fusi-
lade from the insurgent waTships.
THE AMERICAN VESSELS
were the bark Amy, Captain Blackford,
built 10 Bath, Maine, In 1883 and
owned by w. ). Wilson; the bark Good
News, Captain Myrick, built In Balti-
more In 1889. and owned by c. Morton
Stewart & Co; aud the bark Julia Rol-
Inns, Captain Kiehne, built In Baltimore
in lsss. and owned by Thornton Rol-
lins, Of this city.
The Amy sailed from Baltimore on
| December . and arrived here last FRI
day. The Good News arrived in Rio
harbor on January from Bahia. The
Julia Rollins arrived hero Oh Jauu-
airy % from Baltimore, which
port she left on december !.
On Saturday last, while lying at
anchor, all Of the vessels were endan-
gered by the chance snots fred by the
insurgents. These whistled through
the riggings aud passed tho men at
work upon the decks. Many OF the
crews OF the three vessels narrowly
escaped being shot
After suffering great deal Of annoy
ance and running great risks 10 the
hope that the Insurgents would realize
! the folly Of their action and put stop
20 their reckless firing, the three cap
talns held a hurried conference and de-
| termined TO appeal for protection 10 the
/ United states 1arships and 10 request
that the barks be given an escort 10 the
wharyes.
Captains Kiehne, Myrick and Black.
ford put of In small boats at great
danger TO themselves aud pulling up to
where the flagship New York was sta
toned asked that they be allowed a
conference with Admiral Benham.
Upon stating the object OF their visit
their request was readily granted and
I they went aboard the New York
ADMIRAL BENHAM LISTENED
attentlvely 70 their s:ory. appeared TO
take the greatest interest 10 II aud when
the captains had finished tnelr state
meuts he promised that he would do
everything in his powder TO afford them
the fullest protection. lie said,
however, that before making dis
play of force on the part Of
! his feet OF giving the captains the es-
| cOrt which they requested. he thought
! 10 only right TO first notify tho Insur-
gent Admiral Saladauha da Cana Of the
captains complaints. Perhaps. he sald
as q result of his notification, da Cana
/ would promptly order his Runners TO
stop endangering the American ships
/ and this could terminate all further
cause for complaint.
Accordingly Admiral Benbam sent
one Of his officers 90 the Aquldaban
with orders % acquaint Admiral da
/ Cana with the facts in the case and %
ask him 20 have an end put 20 the reck-
less cunning.
Ia Cana was apparently in very bad
/ humOr when che American onicer arr
| rived aboard the Aquidab8u, aud With
! many eNclamatiOns Of impatience he lis
/ tened 10 the recital Of the American
/ captains grievances The insurgert
! Admiral was evidently still annoyed
/ over the unsatisfactory conferences
\ which he had held with Admiral Ben
I ham. and indtsposed 70 do anything
| which would prove pleasing 90 the
J commander Of the United States feet.
When the American officer had
| finished making bis statement. Ia
\ Cana with a shrus OF his shoulders
/ said in a very sharp tone. 1T is not
ny fault The American ship captains
| should know enough 70 keep them
| selves and their crews out OF the range
/ OF our guns. shall not take any
| notice Of this matter"
THIS CURT RESPONSE
! 10 his message aroused the ire Of Ad-
miral Benham, and be determined 90
make such = showing that 10 would
/ produce lasting effect upon the In
surgents. He allowed Sunday 30 pass
| quietly and without any appearance
that he intended to take any further
notice Of the affair.
Early this morning, however, the
greatest activity prevailed on board the
feet shortly after daybreaX the decks
Of the flagship New YORK, Of the New
ark; san Francisco. Detroit, and other
United States war vessels here, were