Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-05
Of the Encounter Of Admiral Benham
With the Brazilian Rebels.
ADMIRAL DA CANA WAS HASTY
In Deciding to Stop All Commerce
With Rio De Janeiro-He
Thought England Was Back OF
Him, But He Discovered His
Mistake While Looking Into
the Muzzles of the Big Guns of
the Detroit"
corrioht. 1904. op q. A.soeiattd Prers.

Coryrioh. 1894 ov N. Associated Press
Rio DE JANEIRo, February 4.-The
Associated Press correspondent in this
city has made as thorough an invests
CATION as is possible under the circum~
stances of the causes which led up TO
the recent demonstration by Admiral
Benhsm in this harbor in defense
OF American shipping, which has been
subjected for long time to
reckless firing OF the insurgent heet,
As result OF the correspondents In
quiries the following facts have been
obtained:
So long as Admiral De Mello was In
charge Of the insurgent vessels in Rio
bay, and the head OF the revolutionary
movement. no blockade was permitted
in this hsrbor. Vessels Of foreign ma
tions were permitted freely to enter the
bay, discharge their cargoes at the
whsrves, reload and quietly depart
w Dbu AuuilId IL LA paihof oAttl ioou-
Ing his pronuncamento against Peir-
oto, deserted the Government, Joined
De Melo and issued his famous impe-
rial manifesto, no declared with great
deal OF emphasis that he meant from
that time ior.n To stop all commerce
with Rio de Janeiro, and by this means
practically destroy the revenue which
the Brazilian Government was receiving
from this source.
England, he announced, as " on the
authority OF British officials, was anx-
ious for the restoration OF monarchy
throughout Brazil aud the overthrow OF
reciprocity.
Wish this powerful backing
HE APPEARED TO THINK
that he was fully Warranted in his auto
cratic action. Following close upon
this declaration, he issued warning to
all vessels. nc, matter to what national
ity they belonged that they must not
attempt TO DISCHARGE their cargoes or
they would rue II. ~llowiDg this OK
ample set by the s4po, tJI e--''--A'--a
other insurgent leaders made uSs OF ).
same threats When Information oil
what they had done reached the ears OF
the United States Minister, Mr.. Thomp.
son made vigorous protest In the course
OF which he insisted that Admiral Da
Cana had no right TO do IT, No
matter what the Minister thought Of
this course, Mr. Thompson thought
1t his duty to demand ample protection
for all vessels flying the dag OF his
country. Minister Thompson did not
seem satisfied with this protest. but
paid visit TO Commander Henry +.
Picking, who was then In command OF
the American warships there, and
asked him in the most decided manner
to afford protection to all American
vessels.
In reply TO Minister Thompson. Com.
mander Picking said that II an Ameri-
can sailor was shot while his vessel
was In the act Of discharging her cargo.
be would promptly prosecute the Cap
tain OF the rebel warship. which was
responsible for the sailors death. Be
yond this, Commander Picking seemed
unwilling to go, and Minister Thomp.
son was rendered psweress TO do any
thing more.
Now everything Is changed, owing TO
the determined action Of Admiral Ben
ham, who has assured the captains OF
American vessels that be viii protect
their ships and lighters so far as he II
able TO do so.
At the same time, however, be b
warned these captains that he canr
prevent them from running the rISk
chance shots at the wharves
1t impossible 70 discharge cargot
elsewhere. All the tugs used In towing
the vessels are owned by Brazilians and
Da Cana threatened TO promptly seize
them II they towed lighters which are
discharging.
Admiral Benham thinks that the rick
at the wharves is slight and be refuses
at present TO advise American Captains
how they should act. He is< deter
mined, however, 70 afford them all the
protection he can.
The reported sinking OF the torpedo
boat on Monday last was without foun-
dalton.