The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-20
SPAINS STORY OF THE SHOT.
CROSsMAN DENIES THAT HE RAN UP
THE BRITISH FLAG.

The Captain of the Warship Also
Claims That He Gave Up His Fur
suit of the steamer lie Fired on
Because She Passed Out of Cuban
Wnters-The AIIianca 90 Sail for
Colon To-day with Arms and AM
munitiOn.
Washington, March l9-Omcial advIces
received this morning fully corroborate
the dispatch from Havana which con-
tains the substance Of the report made
by the captain of the Spanish cruiser
Conde de Venadito, which fred upon the
Alliance. The captain of the Conde de
Venadito insists that the vessel which he
attempted to intercept was flying the Eng
hsh flag at her masthead. Upon this point
he is very positive. He says the vessel was
one and a half miles from the eastern
promontory of Cuba, Cape Maysi He was
within half mile when two solid shots
were fired. He asserts. however, that these
shots were fired wide Of their mark in
order not to strike the vessel. and If possi-
bic, to bring her to. When the vessel fired
limit the Spanish cruiser gave up the
chase, inasmuch as she had then left the
jurisdicuonal waters of Cuba. The COM
mander of the naval station at Havana
viii also make a report to the governor
general regarding the matter.
The cabinet met to-day for the first
time since March l. Secretary Gresham
went over to the white house at II O'Clock
raNl. NHaasa
on International law. He had previously
explained to the President by means OF
a chart and by quotations from diplo-
matte authorities the reason for demand
ing an apology and reparation from Spain
in the Alliance matter 1t is understood
that he reiterated his explanation this
morning for the benefit of his official as
sociates. On his way to the white house
Secretary Gresham was asked II he would
have any news to-day about the Alhanca,
and he made the non-commital answer:
I'm sure l don't know"
1t was learned from other sources that
the state department is not impatient with
the course of Spain in delaying posi-
tive answer to the demand Of this govern
ment but viii give the Madrid author
ities ample opportunity to ascertain the
facts before taking the next step in the
proceedings The cabinet crisis in Mad
rid is also given as a reason why this
government viii not press for an immedi-
ate answer to its demand for an apology.
1t is believed that the Venezuela and Mic
araguan difficulties are regarded by the
President and his advisers as much more
dangerous and pressing in importance
than the Allianca incident as it nov
stands
New York, March 19.-The following af-
fidavit was drawn up and signed by Capt.
Crossman of the Alliance this forenoon:
Capt. James A. Crossman being duly
sworn deposes and says: That l have read
in the morning papers of this day, Tues
day, March 10, 1895, that the commander
of the Spanish gunboat Conde de Vena-
ditto has made statement that the steam
ship that was off Cape Maysi, Cuba, on
the sth day Of March, 1895, which was fired
on by his gunboat. hoisted the British en-
sign in saluting him. In view Of this state
ment l DO most solemnly swear that the
flag hoisted on the staff of the steamship
Alhanca in saluting a Spanish gunboat
off Cape Maysi, Cuba, March 8, 1896 by
my orders, and in my presence, was the
American ensign. This is the only flag
used for such purposes, the national flag
of America.
James A. Crossman. Commander"
Sworn to before me- II. j. Bowden, no
tary public.
Capt Crossman stated that he had a
British ensign on board. as he also had
French and Danish flags, which ne was
Obliged to use when entering the ports
of those islands in the West Indies in
possession of the different countries. They
are small flags, however, he explained to
the agent of the steamship company
In regard to the report that the Allianca
is to carry rifles and other munitions of
war in her cargo when she sails tomorrow
on her trip to Colombia, the agent of the
line said this morning that it was quite
true, though not at all remarkable or
sensational. The company carries arms
to the Colombia government in nearly
every outward bound steamer 1t was a
perfectly legitimate trade and violated
no law. The steamer did not stop at any
Cuban ports, and the arms were not in
tended for the Cuban rebels Capt. Cross
man said Spanish naval officers have a
contemptuous opinion of the American
navy, but they have a wholesome fear of
the British navy, and would not fire on
the British flag.
Madrid, March 19.-United States Min
lister Taylor informed a reporter of the
United Press last evening that the Span
ish government had answered his note
saying that as yet the foreign office had
received no notice of the alleged firing
upon the American ship Allianca by a
Spanish warship. The government had
proceeded to make an urgent inquiry for
an official report of the incident and the
affair is adjourned pending its receipt.
Senior Muruaga the Spanish minister
at Washington, has informed the govern
ment by telegraph that the excitement
and Incorporate utterances of a portion
of the American press in regard to the
Allianca affair is abating. President
Cleveland, he says, has never shared the
resentment which those papers have ex-
pressed.