Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-30
EXCITEMENT AT RIO.
IT is CAUSED BY ACTION OF UNCLE
SANS WAR.SHlPS.
A Merchantmen Escorted to Ifs Wharf by
the Whole Flcet-Demonstration
for Da Gama's Benefit.

Copyright, 1894. by the Associated Press)
RIO DE JANEIRO. January 29.-This
has been one OF the most exciting days
that Rio de Janelro has experienced since
the commencement OF hostilties between
the insurgents and the Brazilian govern
ment
The United states naval feet stationed
In this barbor has furnished the excite
ment
The three American barks Amy Good
News, and Julia Rollins were endangered
on Saturday by the firing from Da Gama's
ship Aquidaban. Their captains protested
10 Admiral Benham. and asked that their
vessels be escorted to the wharves. Ad-
niral Berham sent one of his officers TO
the Aquidaban with orders TO acqualnt
Admiral Da Cana with the facts OF the
case, and ask him to have an end put to
the reckless cunning. Da Cana was APP
parently In very bad humor when the
American officer arrived aboard the
Auqldaban. and with many ordinations
or impatiencc he listened to the re-
cital of the American captains grievance.
when the American officer had finished
making his statement Da Cana, with n
shrug OF his houlders. said in a very
sharp tone, ut is not my fault. The
American ship-captains should know
enough 20 keep themselves and their ves-
sells out of the range OF our guns. | shall
not take any notice of this matter"
BENHAM AROUSED.
This curt response to his message
he determined to make such a showing
that It would produce n strong effect
upon the insurgents. He allowed Sunday
to pass quietly and without any appear
ance that he intended TO take any further
notice OF the affair.
Early this morning. however. the great
est activity prevailed on board the fleet
Shortly after daybreak the~viecks OF the
flagship New York and of the Newark
the San Francisco. the Detroit. and the
other United States war vessels were
cleared for action, and their anchors were
raised.
Admiral Benham then sent word to the
captains OF the Good News, Julia Rollins
and Amy that as soon as they were
ready to proceed he would escort them
to the wharves.
At this Captains Kehn, of the Julia
Rollins. and Myrick. OF the Good News
weakened, and despite their vigorous pro
testations and urgent demands OF Satur
DAY. they returned word that they did
not care to embltter the insurgents ad
m!ral by putting themselves under th'
escort of the United States naval fleet
| Captain Blackford. Of the Amy, how
| ever. showed himself made of sternel
stuff. and announced that he would ge
| ready at once and accept the protection
| which Admiral Benham had offered him
| Accordingly, the Amy. took her position
In, ba uke ~ ha ITpftaI States
vessels. an the Formidable procession
| started on Us way TO Rio harbor.
EVERYBODY INTERESTED.
The newS that something important wal
| taking place aboard the American war
ships rapidly spread both on shore anC
aboard the ships Of all the for
| eign fleets represented at this port. Th
| streets of Rio fronting the bay wer'
| crowded with people. and every vesse
in the harbor presented an animate,
scene as it's crew rushed up on deck
and the men settled themselves TO wit
| ness what followed.
| The Detroit took the lead in the process
| sion. The feet. as it approached nearer L
| Rio, came quite close to the shore, caus
| ing intense excitement among both tn
| soldiers and the civilians on land and th'
| sailors on board the various vessels.
The Amy proceeded on Der way TO tn
| wharf. and was safely moored there. No
| until tho captain reported that he wa
| flIllv satisfied did this powerful escor
| leave him.
Throughout the whole affair not a singh
| shot was fired. but the scene was quit
| as impressive as II this had been done
| After passing 1long Rios Waterfront. tn
| fleet returned out into the bay and an
| chored I'm nearly the same position a
that it had occupied previously TO the de
| mOnstratiOn.
The affair is the sole absorbing topic o
conversation ailoat and ashore tonight.