Morning journal and courier., 1880-08-04
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

The Spanish outrage--8altimore People l Urging Prompt Action - Secretary | Evartx Determined to Secure Satisfac- 1 tIom-AdmirnI Wyman's Return His TnvesttSation-yieVvs of Naval Officers. | WASHINGTON, August 3.-The recent out
 rages upon American vessels in Cuban waters is attracting considerable attention, especially | in seaport towns. The Baltimore people
 seem to be determined in following up the outrage upon the schooner George Washing | ton in influencing the Government to act
 promptly in the matter. Captain A. M. Par sons, commander of the Washington, arrived in this city to-day and called upon the Secre- tary of State this afternoon His interview with the Secretary was devoted to explaining
 with the aid of a chart the exact position of his vessel and courses at the time she was boarded by Spanish officers. Captain Parsons
 was very positive in his statement particu-
 larly regarding the distance from shore, de- possibility of being even further. He was closely examined on all points set forth in his affidavit, and his answers were promptly and explicitly given and so satisfactorily that his case was we'll established. The Secretary assured Captain Parsons that the matter should be fully investigated, and in general conversation that followed observed that it was mistaken idea among shipowners that the Government was not always willing to- render assistance of this kind. When they had complaints to make and are prepared to back them up with competent testimony, the Government is always ready to take hold of the matter and endeavor to bring about proper settlement. The Secretary, while not prepared to doubt the truth of the outrages, expressed himself as unwilling to believe that the Spanish Government desired intention ally to pick quarrel with the United States He said he did not think there was nation on earth would want only to seek difficulty with this country.
 Immediately after the interview with Cap tain Parsons Admiral Wyman was announced and had a conference with Secretary Eyarts, during which he gave 8 detailed account of his investigations into the outrages commit ted on the schooners Newcomb and Merritt, which did not differ materially from the statement contained in the official dispatch to the Navy department already given. He will make written report to the Navy depart ment, which when finished will be referred to the Secretary of State to be used in making up statement to be submitted to the Spanish
 
 4 prominent naval officer, who has had considerable experience in cruising in Cuban waters, expresses the opinion that the Span ish gunboat which first fired upon and board ed the schooner, acted in perfect good faith and with no intention to provoke trouble be- tween the two governments. He says that these small gunboats are charged with guard ing the coast of Cuba, and that if a vessel escapes their vigilance and succeeds in land ing arms and ammunition on the coast, the captain of the gunboat in whose district the offense occurs Is sure of a severe reprImand and change of service, and is luckyif not dis missed from the service. He says the Amer ican small schooaers, in making their home ward passage around the southern end of Cuba, make close into land at night in order to get the benefit of the land breeze, and with daylight in the morning they make out to sea for the sea breeze. When a gunboat discovers one of these vessels in the early morning tacking from the shore, 1t is regard ed as a suspicious circumstance, and pursuit is given, which generally results in manner similar to the cases reported When the matter is officially presented to the Spanish Government, the act is generally disayowed, an apology rendered and reasonable indemni-