Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-02-25

Ou0d between SPAN dhu suo C-'
States. Al. that time three Spanish
ships OF war CHANGED to be Ia the har-
Dor at New York, undergoing small re-
pairs. Their guns were ashore for the
time being, and their ammunition nau
been landed on Ellis Island. One OF the
vessels was in the dry dock at the navy
yard. The fuss having arisen, coal
barge, by most convenient
accident, was sunk directly IN
front of the gate of the caisson.
The shipa was ready to leave
the dry dock the next morning. out
this rendered ii impossible TO move hef
inside OF three weeks. Meanwhile ex-
traordinary difficulties interfered with
the return Of the guns and ammunition
to the vessels Thus the three war
ships we're rendered practically hors oe
combat. II hostilities had broken GUY
they would have been seized al once.
The whole scheme was engineered oy
the Unifad States officer In command az
New York. At the same time tue
fuses, Of scret manufacture, were az
stracted from some of the Spanish
shells and forwarded to the Navy De-
partment at Washington for examins-
ton. As may we'll be imagined, the
excitable Spaniards were almost crazy
over the situation in which they iound
themselves. But all is fair in war.
At about the same period the begin
ing of conflict between Spain and the
United States was narrowly aVerted al
Colon, on the Isthmus Of Panama. Inc
Spanish consul at that place threatened
10 seize an American vessel which was
charged with having furnished arms TO
Cuban insurgents. But the American
consul there gave clearance papers to
the craft. In that port at the time were
the United States ship TanVc ana the
Spanish man-of-war Pizarro. The COM
mander of the Pizarro informed Capt.
White, Of the Yantic, that be would
make the vessel prize as soon as she
went TO sea. Capt White replied that
be would resist. In due time both war
ships ran out OF the harbor, the Amerl-
can commander beating for quarters and
clearing for action. a fight would IN
doubleday have occurred, but the vessel
in dispute had start, and, showing
clean pair of heels, ran away from the
slow Pizarro and made good her escape.
WHEN HE WILL BE sULTAINED.
A commander who protects the inter
ests OF his country, within limits OF
common sense, may be confident OF be-
ing sustained. In 1864 Admiral Bald
win was sent In pursuit OF the Alabama.
While at Cape Town he got wind OF an
English vessel that had been sent out.
to furnish coal TO the confederate steam-'
er. The vessel was In the haroor'
among some islands off the west African
coast. which had been claimed as Brit
ish territory. 1t was question wheth-
er he could lawfully seize her there,
but he did so anyway. Her ma1esty's
government made a great row, out
Baldwin was upheld. 1t appeared that
the action Of the Governor OF Cape
Colony In declaring the islands British
possessions had not yet been Endorsed
by the home authorities, and on that
ground his action was held to be con-
sistent with international law. In such
matters boldness counts for much.
When the Chillsns threw stones at the
blue Jackets OF the Baltimore 90 shore,
"Fightlng Bob" Evans went on board
the Gillian flagship and said that II IL
occurred again he would fire on the city
of Valparaiso. 1t did not occur again,
A naval commander must know
good deal about international law.
Though his policy ordinarily is one OF
the strictest neutrality, he may be
called on at any time to take overt &C
ton. He is required to protect citizens
of the United States at all times with
all the force of his command. But
American citizens In foreign country
must get themselves and their property
out of the way In case OF war That is
the reason why Capt Picking could
not insure safety to mer-
chant vessels belonging to his
countrymen In the harbor at
Rio. The commander mny land ma
rines and blue jackets to protect
United States consulate or legation.
This would not be done in civilized
Europe ordinarily, where good police
are at hand, but it has frequently
been necessary in South and Central
America. 10 that part of the world
United States ships Of war have often
granted asylum TO political refugees
from motives OF humanity. Revolu
tions in those countries are frequently
lawless and always sanguinary, and,
when one political party gets the upper
hand, the usual plan is to shoot the
prominent men on the other side.
GREAT BRIrAIN's POLICY.
The policy of Great Britain is always
much more positive and aggressive
than ours. She backs up her naval
commanders in whatever they may do,
always indorsing their actions publicly,
even though the latter may be secretly
disapproved at the admiralty. The cap
tain Of an English ship OF war always
feels that he has the entire power of his
country behind him. Thus he is able
to act with much greater decision
and effect. But even the COM
mander OF the United States war vessel
Is an absolute monarch on small scale.
He commits the government by his acts,
unless they are Immediately disavowed.
as in the case OF Stanton's recognition
of the revolutiOnists at Rio. The ma
ton must pay for any wrongful damage
that he does. Though not possessing
in law a power OF life and death over
his subordln2tes, be can actually exc
cute any of them. The case is not yet
forgotten or Capt. Alexander Slidell
Mackenzie. OF the brig SOmers, who
hanged Midshipman Spencer, son of
the Secretary OF War, on charge OF
mutlny. Though tried by court-mGrtial
for murder. he was acquitted.
On shipboard the commander must
maintain the role OF monarch. What
be says is law. At the same time be is
chary Of administering punishment, for
the reason that any common sailor has
the ear Of the commanders own mas
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