Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-14

ance OF a duty. Every jacky on the De-
srols nn WAS JHSiiant ,n in the prSspeS. Of
other American men-of-waf was consumed
with envy at the good fortune of the De-
troit.
At daylight the next morning the Detroit
cleared for action. loaded her batteries
and passed alongside the Brazilian cruisers
Trajano and Guanabara, which were moored
can bark Amy. The latter was getting
under way when the Trajano fired a mus
ket at her boat, which was carrying a line
to vessel just ahead Of her Commander
shot at the Trajano. The order was given
to strike her just abaft-the stem between
wind and water, but, through a misunder-
standing, the gun captain aimed just for
struck about three or four feet from the
bow. Commander Brownson then hailed
the Trajano. which was not over sixty
yards away, and said:
Brownson Notifies the Trajano.
'Tf you fire again will return the fire,
and II you persist in firing will sink YOU"
About two minutes later the Trajano
fired a blank cartridge from her port bat
terry, which was on the opposite side Of the
vessel from the Detroit. 1 am told that in
naval etiquette such a shot means a will
ingness to submit. and there was no further
trouble from the Trajano.
Commander Brownson then hailed tho
captain of the Amy. and told him to go to
the wharf. He replied that the insurgents
would fire on him II he moved.
go ahead; I will protect you,' said
Brownson.
The Detroit then passed along until she
stood between the Guanabara, another OF
the insurgent cruisers, and the Amy, and
within hailing distance of the former. The
men OF the Guanabara were at the guns
Commander Brownson hailed her com
mander and cautioned him to be very care
full and not make any mistakes, because
he would sink her II she fired shot.
He then moved the Detroit to a position
insurgent vessels and awaited events Half
an hour later the Guanabara fired blank
cartridge directly over the Amy, which
was still warping In to her dock. Com
mander Brownson ordered one OF MS
marines to return this fire with his rifle
and the bullet struck near the sternpost
Of the Guanabara. This brought the IN
surgent flagship Liberdad and two other
small gunboats to the scene, and the De-
troit was thus surrounded by five Brazil
ian men-of-war, three of which were more
than twice her tonnage.
Brownson sent Midshipman McAll, VINO
is now a major in the Marine Corps. to
Admiral Da CANA, on the Liberdad, TO say
that he had been instructed to protect the
American banks in going to their wharves,
and would carry out those instructions oy
replying to any shot Da Gama's vessels
might fire; and, should they persist In mr.
ing, he would open on them with the De-
troit's entire battery.
Midshipman McGin returned promptly
with the reply that II the Detroit fired
again and struck one Of the Brazilian SHIPS
Admiral Da Cana would strike his colors
and request Admiral Benham to take COM
mand Of the insurgent fleet. He explained
that the gun nred to leeNard was not
challenge, but only protest against inter-
ference.
Midshipman McGill was SEPT back to Ad-
miral Da Cana to say, with Commander
Brownson's compliments:
II have already struck your ship
Da CANA Wanted to Surrender.
The admiral, in reply. said that he had
called a conference Of his captains and
would advise them to surrender to Ad-
miral Benham and request him to carry
on negotiations with the Brazilian govern
ment regarding settlement Of the pending
differences. He said he could not fight
Brazil and the United States, too.
Admiral Benham declined to receive the
surrender He refused ito interfere in the
slightest way with the military or naval
operations of either side in the contest now
going on. That is not my mission" he said.
my duty Is to protect Americans and
American commerce, and this intend to do
to the fullest extent. American vessels
must not be interfered with in any way in
their movements in going to the WharVes
or about the hdrbor."
There is another point which it may be
we'll to speak of now,' said Admiral Ben
ham in communication to Admiral Ia
Cana, commanding the insurgent forces.
Until belligerent rights are accorded you
you have no right to exercise any authority
whatever over American ships or property
of any kind. You cannot search neutral
vessels or seize any portion or thelr car
goes, even though they be within the class
which may be clearly defined as contra
band Of war during hostilities between two
independent governments. The forcfble
seizure of any such articles by those under
your command would, in your present
status, be an act Of piracy. Regretting
that 1 am forced to speak thus plainly,
have the honor to be. sir, very respectfully,
A. e. X Benham, Rear Admiral, United
States Navy"
Ignored by Administration.
1t is a tradition of the Navy Department,
which is confirmed by the newspaper dis
patches from Washington of that date.
that the Cleveland administration was at
first inclined to disavow all responsibility
for Admiral Benhams action and to pun
ish his patriotism by a reprimand and by
relieving him of the command of his squad
ron. Secretary Gresham is said to have in
sisted upon 1t. The newspapers of the day
contain interviews with him in which he
took the ground that Admiral Benham had
exceeded his authority and had no business
to interfere with the situation at Rio. The
newspapers Of the country, however. ap-
plauded the act with great enthusiasm.
Public sentiment was unanimous in sup
port of Benham; SO that President Cleve-
land decided to let the matter pass. The
records of the department do not contain
any word of approval, however, and Admi-
raj Benham's report Of the battle of En-
chadas,' as the navy officers call it, was for
mally acknowledged without comment.
Col. Herbert, who was Secretary of the
Navy at the time, has no recollection of
any differences of opinion or any cabinet
conferences over the matter, and does not
remember any intention or desire to dis
approve Admiral Benhams acts, nor does
he recall any disposition or suggestion to
reprimand him.
Admiral Benham established a new prece-
dent in international law, which has since
been and always will be recognized by
civilized nations.
Precedent Established.
Everybody in the American squadron ex-
pected fight, and the admiral, on the San
Francisco, followed by the New York.
no lo rorlr bo