Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-28
KEY WEST AGAIN EXCITED
MORE FILIBUSTERS BELIEVED.
TO HAVE SET SAIL.

Their Craft a Stolen Schooner Which
sailed Away Under the ''Yantie's" Very
NOse-WOrk of the Spanish Spies In
This COuntry-This Governments Re-
spOnsibility and Liability.
KEY WEST, April 27.-The schooner
Winfield, of twelve tons burthen, was
taken from her mOorings at Key Large on
Thursday night between 5 and 9 O'Clock.
Key Large is about 100 miles distant up
the reef, and about 30 miles from where
the frigate Yantic is lying. Such thefts
are unusual, and it is thought that possi-
bly, another small party Of revolutionists
may have gone across to Cuba. Although
the supposed leader of the next eXpedi-
tion is still here, it is rumored that some
men are missing. That another expedi-
tiOn has started, or will start, is unques-
toned, and it is generally believed that
only funds are wanting. The apparent
watchfulness of the present Federal
forces would avail nothing on this chain
Of islands of 200 miles extent if the fill
busters were ready.
The great possible Importance of the
questions involved in the case of Collector
Wicker at Key West, whose removal has
just been advised by the Senate. says
the Baltimore Sun, have not been appre-
ciated only because Of public ignorance
Of the facts. This is due to the eXtraOr-
dinary secrecy which has been maintained
both at the Department of State and at
the Senate. The Senate evinced its own
appreciation Of the gravity Of the matter
by a most ample and exhaustive dis
cussiOn, occupying the entire time
Of several very lengthy executive
In ia dir ftt1I
particulars appear to be known,
ana as there is not so much reticence in
those quarters, some information of in
terest has been obtained. The Spanish
government maintains permanently a
corps Of experienced spies in the United
States, stationed at Washington, New
York, and two or three of the far Southern
seapOrts. The duty of these men is to
watch everything that is or may be sup
posed as affecting the interests of the
Spanish crown in Cuba. At various
periods one or more of these spies at this
point have become so OffciOuS in their
surveillance as to disclose their Identity
when it has been found prudent to replace
them with others. The Minister and the
COnSuls of Spain in this country always
disOwn with emphasis the fact of such en-
pluyment, as a matter of course, but it is
believed that the force of spies has been
in a comparatively recent period strength
ened, as, whether with good foundation
or otherwise, Spain seems now to be par
ticulariy apprehensiye of filibustering
expeditions from the shores of the United
States. 1t is a subject of open comment
that the spies at Key West were exceed
ingly alert during the presence of AguerO
in that city, and the Spanish Consul was
so anxious, it will be remembered, that
he patroled the shore at night and
actually saw AguerO and his band weigh
anchor and sail away. 1t is understood
that the Consul sent a strong statement
to the Spanish Envoy here, and it was at
once laid by the latter before the Secre-
tary of State.
1t seems that the reason why the tilibus-
ter craft got such a good start was be-
cause the Nandalia, which was living off
Key West, had to wait several hours to
get up steam, and there were also I'M
aVOidable delays before the revenue cutter
could weigh anchor and follow after. On
the principle of saving at the SpigOt and
wasting at the bung-hole, the United
States vessels are not permitted to have
steam up except in certain specified con-
tingencies. As it is only about
ninety miles from Key West to
the coast Of Cuba, fast-sailing
craft with a good wind and
few hours start would not have much
difficulty in eluding a steamer. Collector
Wicker was held nOminally responsible
for the escape of AguerO, although in the
debate in the Senate many Senators. in
cluding, 1T is said. the two Senators from
Florida, were of the belief that he was
not culpable. The President took the un-
usual step of referring the propriety OF
his removal to the Senate. for the reason
of the delicate and difficult questions
which may grow out of the affair.
One of these is the point, which has
been freely discussed in diplomatic cir
cles, and which was also the subject Of
interesting consideration in the executive
session OF the Senate, as to whether Spain
might not regard it as a case where she
would have the right to press a claim for
direct or indirect damages, or for BOTH
predicated on the assumption that the
United States Government had not eXer-
cised due care in preventing the departure
of AguerO. Some of the Senators
argued that to dismiss Collector Wicker
would be a confession that due care
was not taken, and might tend to
strengthen the position Of Spain, but
this view did not have much weight. The
nations of Europe, however much respect
they may have for the greatness of this
country, cannot help throwing out the
idea of its great weakness in case Of war
because of its possessing no navy. Spain
has no love for us, and has always been
very stiff in her diplomatic negotiations
with US. She is perfectly we'll aware that
her irOn-clads could destroy the best part
of a dozen or more of our largest sea-
ports without let or hindrance, and her
protest against the escape of AguerO from
! Key West will not be less emphatic in
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