The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-05-18

Somc recent rumors that another party Of
Alibusterp would cudeav0r 10 leave Flortia
IN support II tho band already IN CubA
under AavERo, have started the inquiry how
far the United States Government could be
held Responsible FOR damages done by hostile
expeditions thus using It's ports as base Of
operations; while AauEHo's escape has aIso
somehow been Dragged Into connection
with tl,e question Of tho necd Of aew vessels
for the navy. .....-.
The latter suggestion Is ridiculous. for the
duty Of enforcing tho neutrality laws In this
particular devolves primarily on the revenue
service, and hence had there bcen dozen I'd.
ditonal seag going cruisers or harbor monitors
In commission, they would probably havo had
10 effect whatever Oh the A0UIRO project.
Recently. however. there wsre at Key West
to lend any required assistance the Alliance,
Commander READ; the Galena, Commander
BArCHRhLER; the Swatars. Commander
CoorER; tho Tennessee, Capt. MILLER, and
the Yantic, Commander wrLpEs; while the
vandalln, Capt. WALLACE, was ut Matanzas
Some Of these vessels have since bscn with
drawn, because IL Is evident that no such
force Is needed there.
It To- also plnln that the United States has
not made issslf in any way liable to indem-
nifty the Cuban people or the Spanish Gov-
eminent FOR the plantations burned by
A0uERO. Undoubtedly he and his followers
violated the statute imposing ftna and I'M
prisonment upon "evcry person who, within
tho territory or jurisdiction Of the United
States begins. or SETS ON foot, OF provides or
prepares the means for. any military expo
a
thence against tho territory or domtnions Of
any foreign prince or S.atc, or OF any colony,
district, or people with whom the United
States are at peace" II is also true that duo
diligence, may be required OF any Govern
ment In enforcing its laws; but there is
nothing to show that such diligence was not
exercised on the part OF our Government.
although AaUERo succeeded in escaping.
Indeed. as soon IS the Spanish Consul at
Key West notified the Washington authorl-
ties OF AsUBRO's projects, orders were telc-
grsphed to the cutters DIX and Boutwell, to
instantly proceed 20 enforce the laws. 1t
unfortunately happened that this informa-
tion was ilttie tar,iy. for tho Dix had just
before gone to Cedar Keys and the Bout
well was at Savannah; and AGuEpo's little
schooner slipped away at midnight, On tho
arrival Of cha Dix, which, hastily rscoalin2.
/ as tho account goes, pursued at daylight.
It was supposed that the Die. being q
steamer, could easily catch tho sailing YES
eel, or that the Cuban coast guard could take
care Of her, but the good wind and the good
luck with which she started continued
with her.
1t might. perhaps, be commended that there
was bad Judgment or bad fortune ON tho part
OF some Government officials; but this would
not show hntsincere and vigorous steps had
not been taken TO prevent the expedition.
Indeed, for several months revenue vessels
had been watching for liltr attempt at New
Orleans, where 1t seems that one was con-
templated. Exactly month ago. ON in
formation Of a repetition OF the affair at
Key West, strong guard Of marines was
landed, to patrol the town and the shore,
and the revenue cutters steamed contin-
uously back and forth along the coast. Ever
since, much labor aud expense have been de-
voted to defeating these attempts, and
| special Government agents have repeatedly
been employed on the same business. Under
all the circumstances. Spain would have
some difficulty in showing that this country
had failed to discharge It's obligations as o
neutral. Cuba could not, after ample warn
ing, prevent AarERo's expedition from gain
ing foothold there; and there Is nothing
strange In its being able to elude also the
vigilance OF our authorities.