The sun., 1892-09-22
SAILED OFF WITH HER GUNS.
THE SOUTH PORTLAND CLEARED OYER
vEHEZUELA'S PROTEST
Capt EldridGe or the Catherine whiting
says Ne Can't start Untl Noon To-day
Is He & ding to hase the south Portland 2

Capt EIdridGe OF the Catherine whiting
Says lie Can't start Untl Noon To-day
Is He olng to chase tho South Portiands
II the official representatives Of the venezus-
Ian Government now In this city. Including
the Minister, his son and secretary. and the
Consul-General. are able to carry out their in
tentions. It ia very possible that "the dogs Of
war" will soon be let loose. Persons owning
fast yachts. and not indisposed to Immediate
travel. may enjoy some exciting sport by put
ting to sea at once and keeping within seeing
distance OF tho South Portland. the vessel
which the Venezuelan representatives insist
is going to cruise against their country.
Tho South Portland received her clear
nnce papers yesterday afternoon at 2
o'clock. the Secretary OF tho Treas
ury having telegraphod to Collector Hem
bricks to release her. The decision was based
upon the action OF United States Commits
sioner Alexander in dismissing the complaint
against the nominal owner OF the South Port
land. Gonzales.
At0 o'clock last night tho South Portland.
with her cargo OF rifles. cartridges. and a Cat
ling gun. left her anchorage bound for the
Hook. She passed the Hook. going out. about
o'clock this morning.
Tho Venezuelan representatives were not so
emphatic yesterday in their utterances about
pursuing the South Portland. but they would
not deny that work on the Catherine Whiting
was being pushed so as to make her ready for
sea Immediately. The customs authori.
ties said they had received no applica-.
tion for clearance papers for tho Cath.
| crime Whiting. so that there was no
official reason to believe that she would fol-
low, the South Portland Immediately. The
Catherine Whiting WAS not fully prepared yes
terday. anyhow, not having shipped the arms
she would need in an encounter with tho
south Portland, 1t would De nOsSiDl0. OF
course. for tho Catherine Whiting to sail
10 HHs tie would
A good deal Of mystery attaches to the Cath
srire Whiting Her alleged owner before this
street. At that address it was said that he
WAS rarely seen more than once in two weeks.
purchased by the. Venezuelan. Minister could
not he learned. although the latter would not
Ss" 1t hS sn It unss Tsd States
not liheled the South Portland. He asked
issued and Gunner refused to interfere. The
washington. but had received no "a answer. ''' "
wne cst1erine Whiting lies at the fSot Of
Eidridge her Commander said last night i'c that
he had no crew and that he couldn't. possibly
&c get away aTay bet9re moo noon to-day He had received
South Portland. ~ " -" '">'i '"''A ''''
Ths lawful object Q, pursuing the South
! VI lhuQ Woulu uo " oSeTuhul On mo
high seas under the American flag. but to pre-
vent the arms she carries from getting into
tho hands OF the Venezuelan insurgents in
Venezuelan territory. What superior force
might do mt sea is another question.
Tho World did some characteristic work
about the South Portland yesterday. A World
Union Club on Tuesday night and told him
that the South Portland was going to snil that
oH' isans: 6ss
gutter. When the cutter reached the South
Portland. Off Bedlows Island. the vessel
indication Of any intention to move. The oifi-
GERS denied that they had any such intention
The Surveyor left customs officer on hoard
as matter OF precnutton. and returned to tho
Barge, office. Tho World reporter. who had
been left at the Barge Once. declared in his
report TINT he had boardsd the South Portland
with the Surveyor and dilated upon the prep
visible. As mater Of fact the sonth % Port' ESfe
land people knew on Tuesday night that they
wore going to Get their clearance Yesterday.