The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-06-14

Geo. Childs. carrying the hlibustering
expedition from Key West, has landed
at Jamaica. Definite information to
this effect has been received here. 1t
was due in large measure to the sail
ing of this expedition last week that
the administration determined on ener-
getic steps to prevent violation OF the
neutrality lava and caused President
Cleveland to Issue proclamation. The
information from Jamaica states only
that she steamer has landed, but does
not add the details as to whether the
hlibusters are still on board or were
landed at some point In Cuba. Addi-
tional information is expected as re-
suit of Ing uiries now making.
Jamaica lies south OF the easterly end
OF Cuba, so that the steamer could have
landed her party on the east end of the
island II she took the route lying be-
tween Hayti and Jamaica on the west
coast of Cuba. II was first claimed that
the party numbered 1000 mon, but later
and more authoritative information
reaching here fixes the number at less
than fifty, including four leaders It's
progress is being watched, not because
of it's Importance, but owing to it's origin
in the United States, and the deter
mined steps resolved upon by this Gov
eminent to repress hiibustering
The George Childs sailed originally
from Philadelphia. When she cleared
there was nothing suspicious about her
cargo, although watch was kept on
her movements. She stopped at O
small point down the Delaware Bny
where it Is believed she took aboard
arms, ammunition and large quantity
OF food supplies suita BILE for an expedi-
ton. Another steamer, the Bridge
port, accompanied her, but her move
ments are not yet known, The Childs
moved down the Atlantic coast to a
| point OF Key West, where the filibust.
ers had organized their party. They
are said to have carried with them two
| cannon, mounted coDspicuously with
the muzz,es protruding over the bull
warks. The efficiency of these weapons
| Ia doubted, however, owing to the Inv
formation reaching here that they were
dug up after laying in the ground for
long time, and were used only for their
| formidable appearance.
Jamaica Is British colony, and IL is
| said that the British authorities will
take all necessary steps to see that fill
clustering is not aided from that point.
q
look for the Key West party, 80 that
the arrival of the Childs at Jamaica in
| d!cates that their watch has been I'M
availing. II the steamer George Childs,
as alleged, has carried from the United
States supply OF munitions of war and
| armed men to aid the rebels in Cuba.
the incident may raise grave question
as to the responsibility OF our govern
| mont. On the statement Of facts as re-
! ported to our officials the case bears
| strong resemblance to the celebrated
Alabama affair which cost the British
| government many millions OF dollars TO
settle.
1t cannot be said that the decision of
the United States courts in the Itsta
case fits and would justify our officials
in failing to put forth proper effort to
detain the ship, for in that case the
court made the point that the Itsta ex-
| petition did not originate in the United
States, and was simply merchant ves-
| sci coming from foreign country and
receiving aboard load OF merchandise.
While it Is true this load consisted OF
arms. &c., these were goods which may
be sold and shipped to any party. In
the Childs case, however, the vessel
was under the United States flag and
actically the expedition originated in
this country.
| 1t is said that our Government was
duly advised of the intended departure
OF the Childs' expedition, though
whether the advices were in themselves
sufficient to make up prima facie case
| justifying the srrest of the parties or
| the detention of the vessel under the
| terms of our law cannot be learned. By
the terms OF the treaty OF Washington,
the United States bound Great Britain
to It's doctrine that nation is bound to
use diligence" to prevent the depar-
ture of armed expeditions against e
friendly nation.
This raises q point whether the
United States can be held to have ex-
ercised the due diligence in tho natter,
If 1t requires the Spanish officials to
furnish absolute proof of the nature Ct
the expedition, or whether isshould not
bestir itself to secure the necessary evil
dence upon information being supplied
to show that the departuresof the expe.
dition is probable. II the latter view is
taken, it would seem to follow that
through the instrumentality Of the
secret service of the Treasury, the gov
eminent might easily obtain sufficient
evidence to break mp quickly the organ
| ization OF hostile movements in this
| country directed against Spain, and
upon the decision of the administration
as to its duty in this matter undoubt.
edly hinges the success or defeat OF tho
cause OF the Cuban rebels, for it Is not
believed that 1t can succeed without