Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1894 — DECKS CLEARED FOR ACTION. [ARTICLE]

DECKS CLEARED FOR ACTION.

American War-Ships Prepare to Resent an Insult at Ulo. Monday was one of the most exciting days that Rio Janeiro has experienced since the commencement of hostilities - between the insurgents and the Brazilian Government. The United States naval fleet stationed in that harbor has furnished the excitement. Provoked beyond the endurance of patience by the continued carelessness of the gunners aboard the rebel watship Aquidaban, and tried by the indifference shown on the part of the revolutionary Admiral to all his protests that American vessels entering or leaving the harbor were not afforded proper protection by the rebel fleet. Admiral Benham made a demonstration with the American war vessels under his command which will undoubtedly have the effect hereafter of securing proper recognition of the rights of vessels under the American flag. Three American vessels, the bork Amy, Captain Blackford; the bark Good News, Captain Myrick, and the bark Julia Rollins, Captain Kiehno, were fired on last Saturday by the insurgent vessels. The three captains held a hurried conference and determined to appeal for protection to the United Sta:os war ships and to request that the barks be given an escort to the wharves. Capts. Kiehne, Myrick, and Blackford put off in small boats at great danger to themselves, and pulling up to where the flag ship New York was stationed, stated the case to Admiral Benham. He promised to adjust matters. Admiral Benham then sent or.o of his officers to the Aquidaban with orders to acquaint Admiral Da Gama with the-facti and to ask him to have an end put to the reckless gunnery. Da Gama was apparently in a very bad humor when the American officer arrived on board, and with many exclamations of impatience he listened to the recital of the grievance. When the American officer had finished making his statement, Da Gama, with a shrug of his shoulders, said in a very sharp tsne: “It is not .my fault. The American ship captains should know enough to keep themselves and their crews out of range of our guns. I shall not take any notice of this matter. ” This curt response to his message aroused the ire of Admiral Benham, and he determined to make such a showing that it would produce a lading effect upon the insurgents. In the morningi she decks of the vessels of the American fleet,wore cleared for action. The bark Amy, the captains of the

other vessels haring took her position in the ranks of the American vessels, arid was escorted to the wharf. Throughout the whole affair not a single shot was tired, but the scene was quite as impressive as if this had been done, and the incident has taught the insurgents a lesson. After passing along Rio’s water front the fleet returned out into the bay and anchored in nearly the same position it had occupied previous to the demonstration. Full protection Irom this time on will be given to all American vessels.