People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1894 — FIRED ON BY REBELS. [ARTICLE]

FIRED ON BY REBELS.

Brazilian Ineurgenta Tackle Our Warships at Rio. Admiral Benham Return* the Shot* and They Are Compelled to CeaseMusket Shot* Alone, However, Are Exchanged. AN ACT OF WAR. Washington, Feb. I.—Ata late hour Tuesday night the following details from the official advices of the navy department are learned concerning the incidents on the 29th at Rio de Janeiro: “Previous to the 29th Admiral Benham had communicated with Admiral da Gama, warning him against firing upon American ships and refusing to accept the insurgent commander's excuse that he had given warning concerning where the danger line was. The commanders of three American ships having signified their desire to go to the wharves on the morning of the 29th, the American admiral sent word that he would convoy them. He also sent word to Admiral da Gama to that effect Two ships were convoyed to the wharves by the Detroit, the Insurgent warships following them.

“When nearly at the wharf and while a tug was taking a cable ashore the insurgent warships opened fire, sending a volley of musket shot under the bow of the tug. The Detroit answered with a warning shot and the insurgent ship then sent a shot over the Detroit. The Detroit in reply sent a shell which reached a portion of the stern of the insurgent ship, doing little damage. The insurgent commander then fired in warning a broadside to leeward in the opposite direction from which the Detroit lay. This was answered by another shot from the Detroit The insurgents signaled that unless the Detroit ceased firing they < the insurgents) would sink the American ship. The language which was used by the American admiral in answer to this signal was of such a nature that the incident closed for that day and the ships were allowed to land.’’ Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 31.—The following has been made to the Associated press correspondent by Admiral Benham, commander of the United States fleet in this harbor: “The insurgent forces on Cobras island last Friday fired upon a ship flying the United States flag. I protested to Admiral Saldahna da Gama against this action, and his response was that he had warned the commander of the ship when it was at the bar at Rio Janeiro as to the whereabouts of t£e danger line. I ordered Admiral da Gama to cease the firing. “Both the gons on the island of Cobras and the guns of the insurgent warship Trajano opened tire Saturday upon the bark Agate, a Vessel hailing from New York. I warned Admiral da Gama at once that if the tire was repeated I would lire back. “I also warned him that if he touched an American ship I would consider him a pirate. I told him I would protect American property from the tire of his guns, and that I should retaliate upon him for any damage done unless it was entirely apparent that the damage was due to chance shots.” Admiral Benham says that he notified Admiral dy, Gama unofficially that firing by the insurgents upon the wharves for the purpose merely of creating terror and to prolong a blockade would not be permitted so far as Americans and American vessels were concerned. To this communication the insurgent admiral made no answer. The captains of the American vessels. Admiral Benham continues, intimated that they wanted to go to the wharves and the American admiral notified Admiral da Gama that it was his intention to convoy them at sunrise on Monday. Fearing trouble Admiral Benham ordered that the vessels of his fleet be cleared for action. The three ships referred to were the Amy, the Good News and the Julia Rollins. The captains of two of the ships weakened and failed to come into the harbor. The Amy was the only one that ventured in, and she was escorted by the United States cruiser Detroit. As a precaution against any possible aggressive action on the part of the insurgents the cruisers New York, Charleston and Newark were assigned to witch the actions of Da Gama’s ship Aquidaban, while the San Francisco was signaled to take position near the Trajano and the Guanabara. These precautions certainly proved effective, and the insurgents, in the face of the formidable array of American vessels, made but the feeblest attempt to hinder the Amy’s progress to her wharf. No cannon were opended upon her by Da Gama’s vessels, and, as a matter of course, the American vessels did not fire upon the insurgent ships. The insurgent protest consisted of this: As the Amy got , abreast of the Guanabara a marine on the last-named vessel aimed a musket at her and fired. Two musket shots were fired at the Guanabara and the Trajano from the Amy’s escort, the Detroit, in return. This was all the firing done during the Amy’s trip, and it was enough. All opposition ceased at once, and the use of heavy guns was not considered necessary at any time. At a later hour Admiral da Gama conferred with his officers upon the advisability of surrendering to the Detroit in consequence of the musket shots fired. He was dissuaded from doing so, but it is thought possible that he may yet decide to surrender to the American commander. There is no doubt that Admiral da Gama is in a bad way. A proposed compromise has been refused by I’eixoto’s government, and it seems to be only a matter of time when he will have to give up the struggle. The complications of the insurgent situation are increased by the absence of Admiral de Mello. The failure of the latter admiral to arrive here to the assistance of the insurgent fleet has given rise to the report that he is dead. The commanders of sixteen warships here, including five American and four British and French, have sent messages to Admiral Benham congratulating him upon his prompt action.