New-York tribune., 1895-06-12
WATCHING FOR FILIBUSTERS.
SPANISH COMPLAINTS NEEDED BY THE
AUTHORITIES AT WASHINGTON.
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. AT SECRETARY
oLNEY.s REQUEST. ORDERS CUSTOMS COLI
LECroRs STRICTLY TO ENFORCE THE

NEUTRALITY LAWS.
Washington. June 1.-THE State Department
is cooperating with the Navy Department In
preventing the flbustering expeditions from leav-
Ing the United States to aid the Cuban insur-
gents In addition to ordering the Ralelgh 10
guard the Southern coast and look out lor MI
clustering craft. Secretary Olney has asked the
Treasury Department to aid In preventing HI
busters from shipping arms. men and amnluni-
ton from Southern ports The Spanish MINIS
ter Sefor Dupuy de Lone has had several In
terviews with Secretary Olney IN the last TWO
DAYS on the subject and has communicated TO
him the Information furnished by MS agents
who are stationed along the Southern seacoast
and al New-York
The decacy Of the situation makes 1t diff
cult for the United states Government to act
effectually As pointed out In these dispatches
some weeks ago the mere fact that vessel
has arms on board is not prima facie eVldenc"
that those arms are intended for the Cuban in
surgents and would not BE- 80 regarded even u
the vessels cleared for Cuban ports The most
indisputable proof must be obtained that me
arms are TO be delivered to those VINO VIII use
them against country friendly TO the 'hi'e'
States before United States customs oihci"ls
can interfere. This proof Is difiicut to OBTAIN
and already the United States has suit IN mana
for sezing arms which +: was charged AT the
time were intended for the Cuban cause. Never
theless the United States cannot disregard the
warning OF the spanish Minister. as this coun-
try is on friendly terms with Spain. ana can
not omit all proper precautions to prevent any
act by American citizens which Spain might re-
gard as unfriendly. Acting on the request Of
Secretary Olney these instructions were issued
late this afternoon to collectors OF customs;
v,.o,1rsSs, TEsssuFBb B Pcp9r'%'qli e.1 5rne IT. 1896
To Collectors OF Customs and Others: ,. T.,
thn tinted States attempts are making to enlist men
70 eouip and arm vessels and 10y other illegal nes
island of Cuba While this Department ha- no,
been furnished with tangible evienc. c9niirina,oIn
y. such rumors II deems II OF great importance
that no possible opportunity be given for comp
that the Goyernmen, OF 'ns III nfn y 10 friendy
Nation collectors Of customs for ne sevSra' 1,r a
esnecoiIy enioned to see to 1t thai the neutrality
lans OF the United States, particularly sections
$3.50 ana $50 OF the Revised statutes are fully com
niied With 5 WIkE. Acting Secretary
The law on the subject Is contained II. these
two sections of the Revised Statutes:
Section 2Ss The owners OF consisnces ~ every
armed vessel sailing on. OF the ports Of the nlte'
states belonging wholly or In part TO ciz.ns inerc2i
shall before clearing out the same, give b9n 70 "
United States with sufficient sur~ties' IN donnr th
amn1nt Of the value OF the vessel and cargo on
board including her armament. condiii3n"d mar 'ar
vessel shall not be employed by snch 3""n..S i"
crse commit hOst'lities against tflr ~
zens or property OF any foreign prince ~ state or
OF any colony district people with whoin thc
United States are at peace
Section 500 The several collectors OF IN" customs
shall deain any vessel manfesily built for "arIlNe
purposes and about 10 depart the United states IN,
cargo Of which principally consists or arms anI
munitions OF war. when the number or men sh'ppeH
on board or other circumstances. render IL JToba-
bic that such vessel - Intended TO he employed ny
the owners 10 cruise commit hosiilities upon the
subjects citizens property OF any foreign prince
or State or OF any colony district or people win
whom the United States are At peace. unth the ie-
ctsion Of the President Is had thereon. or until IN"
owner gives such bond and security as Is required
of the owners OF armed vessels by the preceding
section.
Advces received to-day from Havana state that
the number Of Cuban fbusters who left Key
West on June has been greatly exaggerated.
The expedition is under the command Oi four
Cuban leaders. one Of whom. Koon Is PO-
lander By birth who has lived for some years In
Key West and Is in hearty sympathy with the
movement for Cuban independence. The other
leaders are Sanchez. Garcia and Castillo. The
entire force is said TO number not more than my
all told They landed in the Department oi Las
Villas where quiet heretofore has prevailed. WIN
the purpose Of increasing their numbers from IN"
native population and extending IN" scene oi thr
insurgent operations. which have heretofore been
confined 10 Santiago de CUBA.