Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-21
GONZALES Is FREE.
Venezuelans in New York Fail to
Prove the South Portland
is MEANT FOR A VESSEL OF WAR.
War Of Words Between the Factions
Conducted on the Quiet.
STARS AND STRIPES TO BE PROTECTED

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE D1sPATCH.1
NEW YORK, Sept. 20-The examination
to determine whether Francisco Gonzales,
who was arrested on Saturday, charged with
a violation of the neutrality laws in load
ing the steamship South Portland, lying in
the upper bay, with arms and ammunition
for the use of the Venezuelan insurgents,
should be held for trial was continued to-
day before United States Commissioner
Alexander.
Dr. Jose A. de Gaiarrago, of 72 Fifth av-
enue, was called to show that there is a
well-organized committee of the insurgents
in this city, who are watching for oppor-
tunities to forward munitions of war to
Venezuela to help the insurgents. DR..
Galarrago testified that he had been resi-
dent Of this city about three years and
half, and that he had known Gonzales for
about a month. He apparently surprised
the Venezuelan Minister, Senor Bolet Per-
aza, and Secretary Bolet of the Consulate,
by saying that he knew nothing of the move
ments of the committee and could not con-
meet Gonzales with it.
An Animated Tripartite Conference.
When he had left the stand Minister
Persza and Secretary Bolet went to where
DIR. Galarrago was sitting, and an animated
conversation took place between the three
men. Their faces were flushed and they
gesticulated angrily. Lawyer Raegener, of
the defense, went over to the group and in
vited DR.. Galarrago to leave it, offering him
a chair near the lawyers table. Suddenly
Lawyer Raegener quilted the group. and
hurrying to the lawyers table, extended
his hand toward Commissioner Alexander
and said:
81 desire to claim the protection of this
court This Secretary of Legation says that
he will slap me in the mouth"
Then he pointed aDgrily toward Secretary
Bolet, who looked fercely at him and re-
piled: "He insulted me. -
eyes," said Lawyer Douglas Levien, who
appeared for the Minister, ''and he will do
right if he does slap you in the mouth
Commissioner Alexander said there must
be no more of such talk in the courtroom,
and he directed the United States Marshals
to restore order. Thereupon Lawyer
Levien sprang up and said warmly:
81 will now take my departure and get
out of this case, but before going l wish to
explain my reasons for Withdrawing"
No Time to Give Any Reasons.
'I don't care to hear your reasons" re-
Joined Commander Alexander. icily. "You
have no standing whatever in this court.
The Government of the United States is
represented by the District Attorney. The
Court does not wish to be interrupted any
further by you"
Lawyer Levien caught up his hat and his
law books and retired to the corridor.
Secretary Bolet followed close behind him,
and soon the voices of the two men in angry
conference were heard. The Government
had produced no evidence to show that the
South Portland was war vessel, and Com
mander Alexander dismissed the charges
and released Gonzales.
1t was said in the United States District
Office, after Gonzales discharge,
that it was understood that Minister Perasa
was negotiating for the purchase of the |
steamship Catherine Whiting 10 opursue the
South Portland if she leaves this port. The |
is a 504-ton steamship, and |
is lying at the foot of Twenty-sixth street,
South Brooklyn. She is faster than the
South Portland, sailing, it is said, Is knots |
to the South Portland's ten knots an hour |
that the Venezuelan Minister |
would put on her if he sends her in pursuit |
of the South Portland.
The Stars and Stripes to Be Protected.
The Venezuelan Consul said after the trial |
Government had not given Venezuela fair |
hearing He confirmed the report that the |
Venezuelan Minister had secured the Cath
crime Whiting, owned by w. L. Bowman,
which he would arm and use to capture the
South Portland If the latter should sail for
Venezuela.
United States District Attorney Mitchell
refused to say what the United States would
do in the event of o capture of the South
by an armed Venezuelan vessel
sailing from this port. He made this gen.
eral assertion: 'The United States will
protect any vessel flying the American flag
in any waters SO long as she violates no
avs recognized by the United States.''
The South Portland flies the United
States flag, and her sailing, ever. with arms,
provided she herself is not to use them
against Venezuela, would be no violation of
United States law. The delivery of arms to
would be no such violation, al
hough, if the delivery occurred in Venez-
lelan waters, it would be at the risk of those
Who made the delivery.
The South Portland is to sail for Port
spain, Trinidad, if her release follows on the
allure of the Government to make out-a
ase against her. Between here and Trim
dad no ships can molest hor without large
ized international comp iootione