Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-07
A WISE DISCRETION
As Exercised by Admiral Benham
at Rio.
He HAD NO SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
But He Saw at Once the Proper
Course.
OUR INTERESTS GUARDED

The action of Admiral Benham at Rio in
notifying the insurgent admiral that Amer
lean commerce must not be interfered with
is still the subject of considerable comment
among naval officers on duty in this CITY,
and its approval by the President and the
Secretary Of the Navy is the source of al
most universal qualification. 1t is said that
Admira! Benham acted entirely under gen.
eral Instructions similar to those issued to
Capt. Picking. his predecessor in command
at Rio: to protect American interests" and
to observe strict neutrality in the con-
tiict. He had no specific instructions re-
garding the blockade established by the
insurgent admiral Capt. Picking did not
think he was justified under his instruc-
tons to break it, and, SO far as can be
learned, the department gave him no au-
tnority to do so, Notwithstanding the fire.
quent appeals of merchants doing business
with Rio.
In - Different Light.
Admiral Benham, however, looked on the
matter in different light. To his view
the blockade was a great injury to Ameri-
can interests and he undoubtedly thought
that as the insurgents had not been recog-
niZed as belligerents they had no legal right
70 interfere with American commerce. He
acted accordingly. He informed Admiral
Da CANA that several American merchant
vessels were going to the wharves to dis
charge their cargOes. and that ne would re-
sent with force any attempt to interfere
with their movements. That he meant
what he said is shown by the subsequent
action Of the cruiser Detroit in threaten
ing to sink the insurgent warship if it at
tempted TO interfere with American
schooner in discharging her cargo.
As "a Naval Protest.
he Of
incident referred to in firing guns to the
| leeward is Interpreted at the Navy Depart
ment naval protest against Admiral
Benhams course. 1t indicated that he held
the United States government responsible
for the action of its naval fleet in allowing
ships, containing presumably munitions of
war, to land their cargoes. In case the in
surgents succeed that protest will be made
the basis Of a claim against the United
States for indemnity. 1t will not lie the
only claim against this government in the
event of successful revolution, for New
York harbor was recently made base of
naval operations against the insurgents.
The fitting out there of three vessels Of
would undoubte edly enter into the bill
for damages. The success of the revolu-
ton Is so dubious that these questions are
not likely to cause very serious concern.
No Standing BeliiGerent.
Da Cana has no standing as a belligerent
in the eyes of the State Department and
the foreign offices of European governments,
and Admiral Benham's course in treating
him practically pirate, so far as Amer-
can commerce is concerned, has been Off
ciaIly approved by the President. Accord
ing to one authority, Da Cana is not only
an offender against the laws of his own
country, but in firing on neutral merchant
men he has violated the international laws
Of neutrality. According to this view the
American admiral right in bringing
him to terms. Da Cana is well known in
! this city. He was naval attache at the Bra
lillian legation for several years. ELe is said
to be an able officer, generally conservative.
but always brave.
The Secretary Of the Navy has received
| a mail communication from Capt. Picking
at Rio, giving a detailed technical account
of the fring AMI military moN emeuts that
occurred in Eio prior 10 the date Of mailing
I his report, long before the Detroit Incl
uent.
No Cable Communication.
| Gable communicate with Rio has been
closed since Sunday, when the Secretary of
State received a long telegram from Min
[ lister Thompson No official information
has beeh received in regard to Da Cana s
ade the harbOr WITHIN forty-eight hours.
/ This report is considered probable by naval
officers here and such action by the insur-
/ to his status The movement on shore, and
/ It's failure to arouse cooperation amCnS
the land forces, is considered 4 strong indi-
cation of la Gama'S failing prestige