Connecticut western news., 1894-02-01
BRAZIL IS WARNED.
ADMIRAL 6ENHAM CLEARS THE DECKS
 FOR ACTION.


 FOR ACTION.
 The Insurrent Admiral Treated to Show of Uncle sam's Fighting ships With Ports opsn-Amerioan shipping to Be Protected
 RIO DE JANEIRo, Jan. 3o.-One of tho most exciting days that Rio de Janeiro has experienced since the commencement of hostilities between the insurgents and the Brazilian government was Monday. The United States naval feet stationed in this harbor furnished the excitement Provoked beyond tho endurance of pa- tisnce by the continued carelessness of the gunnsrs aboard the rebel warship Aquid- aban, and tired by the indifference shown on the part of the revolutionary admiral to all his protests that American vessels entering and leaving the harbor were not afforded proper protection by the rebel fleet, Admiral Benham made a demonstrs- ton with the American war vessels under his command which has taught a much needed lesson to the belligerents on both sides and which will undoubtedly have the effect hereafter of securing proper reoogni- ton of the rights of all vessels carrying the American flag.
 May Furnish . Precedent
 The foreign colony was particularly in- terested, and the action of Admiral Ben ham 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 bsrks were subjected on last Saturday by the indiscriminate fusillads from the in- surRent warship.
 Admiral Bsnham promised that he would do everything in his power to afford them the fullest protection. He said, however, that before making any display of force on the part of his fleet or giving the captains the escort which they requested he thought 1t only right to frst notify the insurgent admiral, Saldanha da Cana, of the cap tainx' complaints. Accordingly Admiral Benham sent ono of his officers to the Aquidsban with orders to acquaint Ad- miral da Gama with the facts in the case aud to ask him to have an end put to the reckless gunning.
 Ds G.ma's Curt Rsfuaal. Da Gama was apparently in very bad humor when the American officer arrived aboard the Aquidaban, and with many ex- clsmations of i'm mpstience he listened to the recital of the American captains griev-
 
 dently still annoyed over the unsatisfac- tory conference which he bad held with Admiral Bsnham and was indisposed to do anything which would prove pleasing to | the commander of the United States fleet. When the American officer had finished making his statement, Da Gsma, with a shrug of his shoulders, said in q very sharp tone: "It Is not my fault. The American | captains should know enough to keep | themselves and their crews out of the range | of our guns shall not take any notice of | this matter"
 This curt response to his message aroused | the ire of Admiral Benham, and he de- termined to make such a showing that 1t would produce a lasting effect upon the in- | surgents. He allowed Sunday to pass quiet ly and without any appearance that hs in tended to take any further notice of the affair.
 Early Monday morning, however, the greatest activity prevailed on board the fleet. Shortly after day break the decks of the flagship New York, of the Newark, San Francisco, Detroit and other United States war vessels here were cleared for action, and their anchors we're raised. Two Captain. wsaksned. Admiral Benham then sent word to the captains of the Good News, Julia Rollins and Amy that he was prepared to keep his | promise to them and that as soon they were ready to proceed he would escort them to the wharves. At this moment Captains Kiehne of the Julia Robbins and Myrick of the Good News weakeusd, and despite | their vigorous protestations and urgent demands of Saturday they returned word | that they did not care to embitter the in- surgent admiral by putting themselves under the escort of the United States naval fleet. Captain Blackford of the Amy, how | ever, showed himself made of sterner stuff and announced that he would get ready at once and accept the protection which Ad- | miral Benham had offered him. | Accordingly the Amy took her position in the ranks of the United States war yes sels, and the formidable procession started on it's way up Rio barbor. The news that something important was taking place aboard the American warships rapidly spread both on shore and aboard the ships of all the foreign fleets represented at this port The streets of Rio fronting the bay were crowded with people, and every yes sal in the harbor presented an animated scene as its crew rushed upon deck, and the men settled themselves to witness what followed.
 The Detroit took the leading part In the procession. The fleet as 1t approached nearer to Rio came quite close to the shore, causing intense excitement among both the soldiers and civilians on land and the sailors on board the various vessels. The Amy proceeded on her way to the wharf and was safely moored there Not until her captain had reported that he was fully satisfied did his powerful escort leave him.
 Throughout the whole affair not a single shot was fired. but the scene was quite as impressive u. if this had been done. After passing along Rios water front the fleet returned out into the bay and anchored in nearly the same position as 1t had occu- pied previous to the demonstration. The affair is the sole absorbing topic of conver- sation afoat and ashore.
 The policy of noninterference SO stead fastly pursued by Commander Henry F. Picking has been absolutely reversed by this action of Admiral Benham. Full pro tection will be given from this time on to all American vessels, as Minister Thomp- son has all along requested.
 It is believed here that the minister's re- peated messages to Washington in behalf of American ship owners have at last had the desired effect with the present admin istration and that Admiral Benham's ac- tion is the result of orders which he had recently received.
 | Tainted Mnk For M Hospital
 M In.x flA t.aK-