The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1894-02-03
TAUGHT A LESSON.
Brazilian Insurgents Brought to
Time by Adm. Benham.
The Rebel Admiral Notified That His
Reckless Firing Must Bc stopped
A Very Sensational
Report.

brought Up Standing.
RIO DE JANEIRo, Jan. 80 :I0-Iestcrday
was one of the most exciting days that
- de Janeiro has experienced since the
commencement of hostilities between
the insurgents and the brazilian gov
ernment The United States naval
fleet stationed in this harbor fur
nished the excitement Provoked be-
yond the endurance of patience by the
continued carelessness of the gunners
aboard the rebel warship Aquidab ban
and tired by the indffereI &c 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, Adm. Benham made a dem
onstration with the American war ves-
sells under his command which has
taught a much needed lesson to the
belligerents on both sides and which
will undoubtedly have the effect here
after of securing proper recognition of
the rights of vessels under the Ameri-
can flag. In the events of yesterday the
foreign colony was particularly inter-
ested. and the action of Adm. Benham
will furnish a precedent by which the
commanders of 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
barlSs were subjected on last Saturday
by the indiscriminate fusilade from the
insurgent warships
After suffering great deal of an
noyance and running great risks in the
hope that the insurgents would realize
the folly of their action and stop their
reckless freing. the three captains
mined to appeal for protection to the
United States warships and to request
that the barks be given an escort to the
wharves. Capts. Kiehne, MyriclS and
Blackford put off in small boats, at
great danger to themselves, and pulling
up to where the flagship New York
was stationed asked that they be al
lowed a conference with Adm. Benham.
Upon stating the object of their visit
their request was readily granted and
they went aboard the New York. Adm.
Benham listened attentively to their
story and appeared to take the great
est interest in it. and when the cap
tains had finished their statements he
promised that he would do everything
in his power to afford them the fullest
protection. He said. however. that be-
fore making any display of force on
the part of his fleet, or giving the cap
tains the escort which they requested,
he thought it only right to first notify
the insurgents admiral, Adm da
Cana. of he captains complaint. Per-
haps, he said, as a result of his Motif.
cation, da Cana would promptly order
his gunners to stop endangering Amer
lean ships and this would terminate all
further cause for complaint. Accord
ingly Adm Benham sent one Of his Of
ficers to the Aquidaban with orders to
acquaint Adm da Cana with the facts
in the case and to ask him to have an
end put to the reckless cunning.
Da CANA was apparently in very
bad humor when the American officer
arrived on board and with many ex-
carnations of rmpatience, he listened
TO the recital of the captains griev-
ance. He was evidently still annoyed
over the Unsatisfactory conferences
which he had held with Adm Benham,
and was indisposed to do anything
which would prove pleasing to the
commander of the United States fleet.
When the American officer had finishe
making his statement, da CANA. with
n shrug of his shoulders. said. in very
sharp tone: at is not my fault The
American ship captains should know
enough to keep themselves and their
crews oct of the range of sour guns. I
shall not take any notice of this mat
ter"
This curt response to his message
aroused the ire of Adm. Benham, and
he determined to make a showing that
would produce n lasting effect upon
the insurgents. Early yesterday morn
ing, therefore, the greatest activity pre-
vailed on board the fleet Shortly after
day break the decks of the flagship
New York, of the Newark, San. Fran
$50 and other United States war ves-
sells were cleared for action and their
anchors were raised.
Adm. Benham then sent word to the
captains of the Good News, Julia Rol-
Inns and Amy that he was prepared tn
keep his promise to them, and that as
soon as they were ready to proceed he
would escort them to the wharves.
And he did.
The Detroit took the leading part in
the procession. The fleet as it ap.
preached nearer to Rio came quite
close To the shore, causing intense eX-
citement among both the soldiers and
civilians on land and the sailors on
hnnr.I tho yarinuS vessels
The Amy proceeded on her way to
the wharf and was safely moored there
Not until her captain had reported tina,
he was fully satisfied did his powerful
escort leave him.