Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-16
Ground Of Secretary Gresham's De-
mand on the Spanish Government.
His ACTION CRITICISED BY DIPLOMATS
Position of the United States to
Enforce Its Demand.
LARGE FLEET AVAILABLE

WIKI MT. y nj anu AIr. Auee, ana was tneu
compelled to go home to rest. Star re-
porter saw him at the Arlington Hotel this
afternoon and was informed that he had
not received any word from Minister Tay-,
Isr at Madrid in regard to the Allianca
affair, and also that there had been no
developments in that case.
Great interest is manifested In the matter
In official circles and the war fever in
spiped by Secretary Gresham's peremptory
dSmand upon Spain for an apology appears
to be spreading. There is an impression in
some circles that the Spanish government
will make its reply by merely handing
minister Taylor his passports and severing
Sll diplomatic relations with the United
atates. This would place the countries in
the position now assumed by Venezuela
'oward Great Britain, France and Den
7ark.
Ground of Mr.. Grcshnm's Claim.
Secretary Gresham's claim that Spain
has no right to interfere with United
States vessels which may enter within the
tfSee-mile limit of Cuba in transit to other
ports is based on decision made by Judge
French in the Alabama Claims contro-
versy. In his decision Judge French held
that there was no authority for the stop
page or detention of a mail steamer which
is pursuing her usual route, even if that
route lay at places within the three mile
shore limit and so within the marine juris-
diction of the power seeking to stop the
ship. If this is held to be sound doctrine,
then of course the Spanish government
might properly make reparation for the
action Of it's cruiser even should it appear
that the Alliance was within three miles
of Cape Maysi, the Spanish minister
here believes. On the other hand, if this
decision Is not of effect, then what is
known as the headland theory of juris-
diction will probably play an important
part in the adjustment of the matter. Ac-
cording to the contention of Great Britain
in the Fortune bay case, in which the
United States has acquiesced, the line of
marine jurisdiction is drawn three miles
from line running across from headland
to headland in the case of bay or de-
preston in the general coastlineA The
Spanish authorities evidently take the DO
sition. at this time, in the absence. of exact
adyices, that the Allianca was within
such line, and within their jurisdic-
ton, although the ship may have been ac-
tually more than three miles from the
nearest shore.
Mr.. Gresham Criticised.
AS might have been expected, Secretary
Gresham is severely criticised by his
political opponents for his course in the
Alliance affair. There are many persons
outside of the pale Of national politics.
lomats. who believe that he has allowed
his patriotic zeal to warp his sober judg-
ment In his treatment of this important
international incident. These critics unite
In the opinion that he erred in demanding
reEaration and an apology before Spain
had been given an opportunity of present.
ing its side of the case. According to
them, 1t was only fair that judgment
should be suspended at least until the
Spanish naval officer. alleged to have been
responsible for the outrage complained Of
had reported the matter to his own gov
ernment. According to one diplomatic au-
thority, this report might have been en-
tirely unsatisfactory to the Spanish gov
ernment, in which event the officer would
be court-martaled and a proper apology
offered to the United States, without even
the suggestion that such thing was ex-
pected. All nations insist the right of
Independent investigation in such matters,
and the United States in particular has
always assumed that position when
charges have been lodged against any of
Its representatives or its citizens.
Inconsistency Alleged.
Another criticism made against Secretary
Greshams policy in this case is that it is
altogether inconsistent with his attitude
in the New Orleans affair, involving an as
sault on citizen of Great Britain, and in
the Walsenburg affair, involving the re-
sponsibility of the United States for the
lynching of several subjects of Italy. The
three Incidents occurred about the same
time and are now the subject of diplo-
matte correspondence. Although British
blood was shed at New Orleans and Italian
subjects were killed at Walsenburg, the
United States government so far as
known. says this critic, has expressed no
regret. nor has 1t promised any reparation
for the occurrences, pending its own in
vestigation of them, yet it has called on
Spain for an apology for an act of which
that government is ignorant, and which,
by force of circumstances, 1t has been un-
able to investigate.
The United States Uutimntum.
In the possible event of its becoming nec-
essary. the United States government is
better prepared at the present time than
ever before to enforce compliance of its
ultimatum to the Spanish government as
a result of the Alliance incident. AS stat
ed in yesterdays Star. Secretary Gresham
has notified the Spanish government that
further interference with legitimate Amer
lean commerce in the 'windward passage"
the natural and usual highway for vessels
plying between ports of the United States
and the Caribbean sea, the scene of the
Alliance insult. will not be tolerated, and
that Spanish naval commanders shall be
prohibited from committing "all acts wan
tonly imperiling life and property lawfully
under the flag of the United States" with
out regard to questions of Jurisdiction, in
the absence of a declared state of war In
addition. the Spanish government was call
ed upon to express prompt disavowar'
and regret" for the Alhanca incident.
Thsre Is an impression that the Spanish
government will be loath to meet these de-
mands, and that If 1t does not repudiate
them at once in toto 1t will defer it's reply
at least until 1t has leceived the report of
the officer in command of the warship al
legged to have fired on the Alliance.
Prepared to Protect American Inter-
ests.
REGARDLESS of the action of Spain the