The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-28
THE FALL OF DA CANA.
How Brave Admiral Benham Broke
the BRAZILIAN Rebellion.

the
The recent death OF Admiral Soldanha
da Cana. the Brazilian rebel, recalls a
glorious incident in the history of tire
American navy. when Cana relieved
Mello in the command of the insurgent
force I'm the bay OF Rio Janeiro in the be-
ginning OF December, 1898, the existence
of the republic was felt 10 be at stake
CANA sent Mello and a large part OF the
fleet south to cooperate with the land
rebels I'm the provinces OF Santa Catarina
and Rio Grande do Sui The English in
Rio kept the rebels fully posted on all
that took place on shore The monarchi-
cal governments OF Europe sympathzed
with the insurgents TO such an extent
that their naval representatives warned
the merchantmen loading I'm Rio Janero
harbor not 10 load or discharge cargo, and
refused. to the dismay OF the foreign mer-
camille community, TO protect their
lighters. Admiral da CANA concentrated
his forces in the stronghold of Villegaig-
non and the Notifications OF Cobras island
and posted his ships in such way as TO
keep up desultory fire on the town and
draw the fire OF Peixoto's batteries. and
thus keep up the virtual blockade until
he could establish a legal blockade that
would bring President Peixoto 10 terms
by shutting off supplies and stopping all
commerce. On January Is. 1894. the insur-
gents. who had previously reoccupied the
island OF Eugenho after a sharp fight
landed on Mocangue under cover of the
quick-firing guns OF the Auuidaban and
drove out the government troops. captur-
ing the works and several pieces OF ar
tlliery. They also took and garrisoned
other harhor forts. aid from this time
Admiral da CANA was able 70 stop all
commerce until the hold stand OF the
American admiral put an end TO the facti-
tious blockade.
Having ascertained the views Of Prexi-
dent Peixoto. Admiral RenhRm sum-
moned the insurgent commander. on Janu-
airy q, 10 an Informal conference on board
the New York. and counseled him 10 give
up the struggle At the same time peixoto
offered concessions. but Cana would not
hear Of them. The European naval COM
mander had tacitly allowed Cana TO en-
force arbitrary orders relative to the
movements OF merchant vessels. The
senior German naval officer even refused
20 protect his compatriots in case Of
seizure or the deliberate firing on the
German flag Three foreign sailors had
been killed by an unexpected fusiliade
Admiral Benham told the Brazilian ad-
miral that he had no belligerent rights
whatever, and that American vessels
were not 20 he hamrercd in their move
ments or searched for contrahand and
that he would protect them in case OF in
reference. Afterward he made a formal
demand I'm writing that all arbitrary
orders relative 20 Amcricau ships must be
rescinded. Cana dened the American
officer being willing to incur snytIinx
rather than forego the advantage that he
had secured: for II he could not tndrce
the United States government TO grant
him heiligcrcnt rights. European govern
ments would not do 50. lest all the trade
should fail into the hands OF American
"a
other vessels were fred upon hv the hat
teriss on Cohras island. The naval com
manders held n conference on Ianuarv
p. 1891, az which the American com
mander dd rot asSist. and they decided
that nothing should Pc done Admiral
Renham gave Admiral Ia CANA notice
that he Intended 20 convoy American YES
SIS 'oa' wanted - 80 80 the wharves on
January -. and cleared the fleet consist
ing az the cruisers New York. Charleston
Newark. Detroit and san Francisco. Zoe
action The matter was decided IN thu.
dsv. when 'he Detroit conveyed fbN hat
Amy - the whBrvcs. and when Al
niral oa Cana carried ont hss threat -
hr@ on NE nrSt American shin that an
preached che whsrvcs nat a snot t-to ~,
TTataNo. Admiral "a Cana hal ex-,,s.s
the blockade on the ground o. - a,,,s
culties and novel position. hut after -
vigorous action taken bv the Ar,e~i-,~
naval representative there VAS no mora
interruption 81 commerce.
Then followed rebel sac-esses IN .Na
south. on February IA Cana attacked
ArmScaA and though sUcceSsfgl az nre.
was rcpuIscd. Net long after thts .hs
government forts sank three rehel Stains
ON MSrrh 70 the government fleet rtr-
chased iu New York. including the Erf-s-
son torpedo boat and a dynamite cruiser.
VAS assembled IN Rio havNor. ready ssr
battle Two DAYS later Cana ogTeref
through the Portuguese minister 70 sur
render on terms of immunity and ans
nesty Then ne took refuge or a portu-
rgcSe ruan-oe-war and sept another mes
sage. ss&inE that the officers should ~
permitted 30 leave the country. and that
TIE lives ~ The Tr.v8.cs - spared. Prcsi-
cent Rrlxcto rejected both propositions
al demanded Unconditional sgrreEder.