Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-25

however. that none of the officers chosen
had, So far as he knew, expressed an Cpin-
Ion concerning what was known as the
SampSOn-Schley controversy. and it was
therefore to be presumed that they would
enter upon their work in an impartial and
unprejudiced spirit. The members of the
court are distinctively fighting men. Each
has been connected with celebrated event
in naval annals. OF Admiral Dewey the
hero of the battle of Manila bay, it is un-
necessary to speak. His record is familiar
to all. his associates, Rear Admiral Kim
berly and Rear Admiral Benham, are both
retired officers.
Admiral Kimberly.
Admiral Kimberly was retired in 1892
ard the latter In 1894. Admiral Kimberly
is seventy-One years of age and Admiral
Benham sixty-nine years. Each saw over
forty-five years of active service Both
had fine records during the civil war. The
great event with which Admiral kimber-
ly : name is associated is the destruction
of the American fleet in the harbor of
Apia, Samoa, during the terrific hurricane
which occurred there in 1889. Admiral
Kimberly had been sent TO Samoa at the
head OF an American squadron during the
trying period of our negotiations with Ger
many over the course OF events there and
had conducted himself before the storm
with marked dignity ami ability When the
hurricane occurred his entire squadron was
wrecked. The Nandalia and Trenton were
~compleJeiy destroyed and the Nipsic was
east ashore. The story Of that great dis
aster and the herOism displayed by the
ATn"TI"ar officers and men under the direc-
tlon II Admiral Kimberly thrilled the whole
country and made an impression never to
be forgotten.
Admiral Benham.
Admiral Benham played dramatic part
at Rio de JaueirO during the great naval
revolution in 1884 1t will be remembered
thtt the revOlutiOnists against the author
ity Of President Piexorto OF Brazil being
in coE-rol of the Brazilian navy. establish
ed blockade at Rio against foreign mer-
chantmeE. The situation was so serious
that war>hips from all European countries
were present protesting against the block
ade. but nevertheless Observing it,
This state of affairs continued until the
arrival OF Admiral, TIN Captain Ben
nam II the New York. He Immediately
notified Admiral MeiIO that he would not
recognize the blockade and that any Amer
lean merchant slips arriving at Rio must
BE- allowed to enter. The Brazilian ad-
miraI replied they would do so at their
peril W hIe the controversy was In prog
resS Two American merchantmen arrived
with cargoes for Rio. Captain Benham
directed Lieutenant Comman nder BrOns m
In the detroit 10 convoy the merchantmen
20 the wharyes where they were to dis
charse thvif cargo. The American fleet
cleared for action. and with shotted guns
the Detroit steamed in alongside OF
warshipS fred u blank cartridge across the
bow Of the merchantmen. The response
from th- Detroit was solid shot which
entered the stern post Of the Brazilian. 1t
was effective response. The Brazilian
Warship sheered OF and returned to her
anchorage and thereafter there was no
further trouble about The entry of foreign
ships. Captain Benham reported his ac-
tIUn to the United States a-u -horities, and
his course was approved. although he had
taken matters IN his own hands and had
acted without instructions.
The Judge Advocate.
The department Is considering the selec-
tion Of Commander. pllsbury for judge
advocate of the court, Commander Pills
bury is now equipment officer of the
Boston navy yard. which in under COM
mand Of Rear Admiral Sampson. Dur
ing the Spanish war he was commander
Of the dynamite cruiser Fesuvius. which
was attached to the North Atlantic squad
ron under command OF Admiral Sampson.
II chosen he will be the only officer con-
nected with the court who a partici-
pant in the maneuvers Of the fleet in " est
Indian waters. Upon the judge advocate
viii fall the actual work of preparing the
ease and prosecuting the inquiry. He will
examine all witnesses, his purpose being