Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1895-03-20
INSULT TO OUR FLAG.
Solid shot Sent After American
Ste amers.
Alleged Outrages Committed by Spanish
Men-of-War on the High Seas--One
Vessel Escapes, But An
other Is Sunk.

quarantine at 1l:45 a. IN. Tuesday
brought startling tale of out
rage at sea. March s, at about
TAO o'clock in the morning, wher
the steamer was off the east end of the
island of Cuba, q brigantine-rigged
man-of-war, flying the Spanish flag
was passed, steering in the same direc
ton at distance of about ~ mile
The Alliance dipped her colors in
salute and the courtesy was acknowl
edged and reciprocated by the Span
lard.
A few minutes later a puff of smoke
appeared from the man-of-war's bow,
and a report followed. This was fol.
lowed few minutes later by another
blank cartridge. Capt. sCrossman did
not pay any attention to the shoot
ing, but continued on his course
northward. The man-of-war then al
tered it's course to follow the Alliance,
and almost at once another gun was
fired and solid shot came bounding
toward the American steamer, missing
her narrowly. Two other balls were
fired. but both went wide.
The Spaniard fast dropped astern
and after chase of about rs miles al
tered her course and headed back. Capt.
Crossman can advance no theory to ac-
count for the outrageous conduct of the
Spaniard.
| WASHINGTON, March 1s.--Following
is the text of the tart note sent by Sec
rotary Gresham to Minister Taylor at
Madrid, instructing him to demand an
apology for the insult offered the
American flag in the Alliance incident:
| TAYLOR, MINISTER, MADRID: This de-
partment is informed that on the 9Th inst. the
| United States mail steamship Alliance. on
| her homeward voyage from Colon to New York,
when miles from the coast of Cuba, of
Cape Maysi, was repeatedly fred upon by
a Spanish gunboat with solid shot. which
fortunately fell short The windward
passage, where this occurred, is the natural
and usual highway for vessels plying be-
tween ports of the United States and the
Caribbean sea- Through it several regular
lines Of American mail and commercial steam
ers pass weekly within sight of Cape Maysi
They are we'll known and their voyage en-
braces no Cuban port of call Forcible inter-
ference with them cannot be claimed as a
belligerent act, whether they pass within
miles OF the Cuban coast or not. and can, un-
der no circumstances, be tolerated when no
state of war exists.
This government will expect prompt dis
avowal of the unauthorized act and due ex-
preston Of regret on the part Of Spain, and it
must insist that immediate and positive orders
be given to Spanish naval commanders not to
interfere with legitimate American commerce
passing through that channel, and prohibiting
all acts wantonly imperilling life and property
lawfully under the flag of the United States
You will communicate this to the minister
for foreign affairs and urge Importance Of
prompt and satisfactory response.
GRESHAM"
When shown the text of Secretary
Gresham's cablegram to Minister Tay-
lor, Senior Muruaga said:
81 am astonished that this course has
been taken, when as yet only one side
of the story has been told, and any
action must be based on the ex-parte
statement of Capt Crossman."
will Spain apologize?" Minister Mu-
ruaga was asked.
THAT remains to be seen after
Spain's side of the story is learned,
said he. Certainly there will be no
reply until all the facts are known, not
alone from Capt Crossman, but from
the commander of the Spanish gunboat
alleged to have done the firing"
KEY WEST. Fla, March 19.-Passen-
gers on the steamer which arrived
from Havana Saturday night bring
news of reports in circulation there of
further depredations by Spanish cruis-
ers on American vessels along the Gu
ban coast. The latest report is to the
effect that a Spanish gunboat, Arced,
fred into and sunk an American
schooner off Puerto Padre 1t is
reported that the crew of the vessel,
numbering sixteen persons, persisted
with it. It is not known whether
the schooner had arms or carried
an expedition for the Cubans
1t was reported in Havana that the
schooner had sailed from Key West.
Inquiries, however, fail to show that
any boat is missing or unreported, ex-
cept those engaged in legitimate trade.
Many sailed recently for West India
ports with full cargoes.
New YORK, March 19.-The Recorder !
publishes the following dispatches
from Washington: Spain has replied |
to Secretary Gresham's demand. A |
dispatch was received Sunday night |
that, so far as it goes, is
entirely satisfactory to the United
States. 1t is response to the
last part of Secretary Gresham's
dispatch in which he insists that ''im-
mediate and positive orders be given
to Spanish paval commanders not to
interfere with legitimate American
commerce passing through that wind
ward) channel and prohibiting all acts
wantonly imperiling life and property
lawfully under the flag of the United
States
That part of the dispatch which re-
fers to the firing upon the Alliance is
reserved for future reply, after an in
by Spain into the circum-
stances that surround it. There is no
doubt in the minds of the president
and the secretary of state that this will
receive prompt disavowal as an un-
act" and that due ex-
preston of regret on the part of Spain"
will be Forthcoming.
To Take the County from the Map.
ST. Louis, March 14.--J. M. Lewis,
the bondholders of Dallas
county, Mo-, has sued the county for