The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-27
Benbsm at Rio.

Admiral BESHAN. commanding our naval
squadron before Rio. will perhaps hereafter
refrain from advancing TO the protection OF
any British trading ship that may be en-
dangered there The slight service OF that
kind which he recently rendered. Is not APP
preciated In England, but is regarded in
some quarters az an insult TO the Queens
navy. The incident in which he played
part a few days ago. as 1t was reported
In our dispatches. did not seem to
us to be OF kind that ought to give offence
to the British. The Captain OF a British
merchantmen desired to enter the harbor
OF Rio to get a supply Of wster. and. as the
rebels were firing shots at the time. against
which tho Captain could not obtain the pro-
lection OF his own flag. he sought the help
OF the American Admiral. who at once
warned the rebel commander not TO fire
then upon that British ship. He threw the
American flag, so to speak. around the en-
dangered Captain. who was thus enabled to
obtain water for his crew. and also to save
his British ship.
1t would certainly have been far better
for BENHAM to decline the British Captains
request. His instructions do not authorize
him to interfere In any such case. and his
interference might lead to complications In
which his own Government would be in
volved. He has plenty. to do In providing
protection for American ships In Brazilian
waters; and we are proud to say that he
has performed this duty in way which has
given marked satisfaction. UP to this time.
to the American people.
The act OF the American Admiral was an
insult to England
The London Globe has suddenly turned
up In the character OF the British lion, and
thus IL roars
Admiral BtSH,s Is doubtlsss at liberty to bully the
Insurgents as much ns he pesses Rot that 10 quite
different thing from offering most Injurious insult to
the British navy Unless the story Of his putting the
Nasmyth under the protection OF the American nag 10
untrue should be the duty Of the British Government
to demand an Immediate apology from the Govern
ment OF the United States for the extraordinary con
duct OF Its Officer"
We cannot suppose that BENHAM will
either laugh or sneer at this London lions
roar. when the echo OF 1t reaches the quar-
ter deck OF his flagship near Rio.
We may tell the Globe. however. that we
reallycan't apologize to England for BEN
HAMS act. And at the same time. we
may take occasion to remark. for the
information OF the gallant but in
cautious American Admiral at Rio.
that he had better never again per-
form an act like that which he performed In
the interest OF British ship. We do not be-
lieve he will hereafter raise our flag for the
protection OF any British ship against any
foe. He will let England protect her own
ships. IL she wants to. or stand passively
while they are sent to the bottom by an as
sailant That is his duty as an American
naval commander his whole duty in the
case. He did wrong when he interfered
and he has doubtless been made aware OF
that fact by Secretary HILARY A. HER
BERT OF the Navy Department.
He saved British ship without expect
ing any thanks from the British Admiralty
but in doing so he laid himself open to re-
buke from his own Government.