The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-16
United states Authorities Dctermine<
Sail from southern Ports.
MORE VESSELS FOR FLORIDA
REVENUE CUTTERS AND LAUNCHES
TO PATROL SHALLOW WATERS.
While Enforcing Quarantine Rules
They VIII Watch for Neutrality
Law violators-Tug Childs.

WASHINGTON. June I5.-Treasury off,
cials are taking active measures 10 pre-
vent the Quitting OF flibustering expedi-
tions against Cuba, and TO that end Will
send two more revenue cutters south &c
cruise along the Carolina and Florida
coasts. They also have asked the Navy
Department for the use OF two steam
launches for use in Southera harbors. The
ostensible use TO which these vessels are 70
be put is TO prevent violation or the quar-
antine laws. At this season OF the year
there is always danger OF yellow fever
being brought from Cuba by coastwise trad
ers. and il will be the duty OF the revenue
cutters not only TO look out for infected
vessels. but TO keep a sharp lookout for
filibusters. The department officials, how
ever, express the belief that the reports OF
vessels outfitting for Cuba are greatly ex-
aggerated. Nevertheless. there seems 10 be
no doubt that disquieting news has recent
ly been received from collectors OF customs
at this or more Southern ports but the re-
ports are carefully guarded from the public.
Acting in accordance with the recon-
mendation OF Surgeon-general Wyman, OF
the Marine Hospital Service. the Secretary
OF the Treasury has issued an order for
the detail OF three revenue cutters 10 patrol
the Florida coast for the purpose OF pre-
venting the landing OF yellow fever cases
by Cuban fishing smacks. one OF the vessels
is to be located at Key West and Will pro-
tect the coast from Biscayne bay TO Char
lotte harbor. another will patrol il from
Charlotte harbor 10 Cedar Keys. and the
third from Cedar Keys to Pensacola. They
are TO be supplied with launches. TO be
loaned to the Navy Department, in order
to penetrate the shallow waters. The
order also embraces a provision for the To-
cation OF sanitary inspectors at Bocs
Grande Pass Sarasota Key. Anclote Keys
and Cedar Keys. In his letter recommend
ing that this course be pursued the Sur
geon-general says:
I'm formation has been received or re-
liable character of the danger OF the in
PRODUCTION OF yellow fever INTO the State
of Florida by means OF fishing smaeks
was supplied with fish by vessels owned in
Key West, but the Spanish government inn
posed such heavy duties on these
part OF American fishing smacks
has been abandoned and IL Is now
carried on by small vessels owned in Ha-
vana. These smacks lie in a portion of
the harbor Of Havana liable 10 infection.
The men employed on them are frequently
new arrivals in the country and therefore
the more likely TO be infected with yellow
fever The smac<s enter Florida waters
to catch fish for the Havana market, but
il is matter OF common report that they
also engage in smuggling rum and tobacco.
landing at unfrequented and unguardcd
points on the coast. They may also land
members of their crew sick with yellow
fever infected clothing or merchandise.
The danger Of the introduction OF the
fever by this means has always been con-
sdered imminent, but this year IL is partic-
ularly threatening by reason OF the in
surrection i'm Cuba, and IL has been publicly
asserted that in case Of failure OF the
others serving with the insurrectionists in
order 10 escape the penalty Of death upon
capture will seek to return TO the United
States through the medium or these small
vessels. 1t is necessary, therefore. during
the coming summer and fall to meet this
danger and prevent this Illicit traffic by
close watch on both the east and west
Western coast These smacks do not make
or attempt 10 make entry and thus they
escape inspection by the local quarantine
officers, but a revenue cutter officer may
board and examine them under the law"
The Secretary OF the Treasury has also
requested the State Department TO in
struct United States consuls I'm South and
Central America and the West Indies to
notify masters OF vessels leaving those
ports for the United States TO go to the
quarantine stations and Dry Tortugas.
Blackboard island or Ship island in case
of the development OF yellow fever during
the voyage. He suggests that no quarans
tine fees are charged at these stations and
adds that such a course will probably save
the vessels both time and expense