The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-25
FIRED ON A SCHOONER
SPANISH GUNBOAT HELD UP THE
CARRIE e. LANE NEAR CUBA.
Another American Complaint That
May Lead to International Trou-
ble-News of the Insurrection.


Quick, of the American schooner Carrie Z.
Lane, on his arrival here tonight, had a
tale to tell about thrilling encounter in
Cuban waters with a Spanish gunboat
Two shots were fired at the Lane by the
man-of-war and one of the schooner's crew
narrowly escaped being killed by one of
them. The vessel was made to heave to
and give account of herself before being
allowed to proceed. The schooner was off
Port Antonio and making good time be-
fore stiff breeze, when, on the 14th inst,
she sighted "a steamer flying the Spanish
flag, following her. Captain Quick at first
paid no attention to the stranger but after
an hour or so noticed that she was signal
ling him to stop. He then examined her
more closely, but could only make out
that she looked like large tug boat. such
usually are in the harbors about Phila-
delphia. New York and other American
seaports.
While he was making up his mind what
course to pursue. a puff of smoke curied
up over the steamers port bow, and a
round shot whistled uncomfortable close to
the schooner's mainmast, and plunged into
the water on the lee quarter Captain
Quick gave order to haul in sail and
bring the vessel to, and while this was be-
ing done one of. the crew ran out on the
bow spirit. AS he stood there the gun on
the Spanish war ship doomed again and
another shot sped its way toward the
American craft, this time coming so close
to her that the sail man on the bowsprIt
swears he distinctly felt the wind caused
by it's rapid flight. The Lane soon came to
a dead stop and the gunboat drew up under
her quarter. A boat was lowered. and
four Spopich m riuac 11pdar tho aounvo nd
of lieutenant in the Spanish navy. came
aboard. They were fully armed, and their
leader very civilly lifted his hat. and de-
manded to know from what port the Lane
had sailed and whittier she was bound.
Captain Quick gave the required informa-
ton and produced his clearance papers in
proof of his assertions. No further search
was made and the vessel was permitted to
continue on her course without further
molestation.
Captain Quick says that he could not get
the name of the gunboat. although he
tried to do SO, and can give no further de-
scription of her than that she resembled an
American tug boat He adds that after the
first shot was fired at the Lane he caused
the stars and stripes to be hoisted at the
peak, but the only response the Spanard
made was a second shot. The gunboat
did not hoist her colors until after the first
shot was fired.
AS soon as Captain Quick reached here
tonight he wired his agents in Philadelphia
and will await advices. from them before
determining on what course to pursue in
regard to what he considers an outrage.
He thinks the Lane must have been mis-
taken for filibustering craft, but insists
that there is nothing in her appearance to
he oool
is well-known to West Indian waters.
WASHINGTON, July A.-The govern
ment officials here have received no In
formation in regard to the firing on the
chooner Carrie E. Lane by a Spanish war
vessel of Cape Antonio. The general opin-
ion of naval officers, who read the report
Of the affair as described by Captain
Quick is that the Spaniard did not ex-
ceed his authority in overhauling the
schooner IL the latter was in the terri
tory of Cuba. The Spanish government, it
is held, is menaced by the danger Of the
landing of filibustering expeditions on the
Cuban coast and In exerting itself to pre-
vent such landing has right to overhaul
and learn the character OF any vessel
within the three-mile limit that might be
suspected Of having on board those enter
tanning designs against the government or
a cargo for the insurgents. AS Captain
| Quichs story shows that he paid no at
tention to the man-of-war for an hour or
two. this, it is said, probably caused the
| captain Of the latter to believe that the
| schooner was engaged in filibustering
methods and prompted him to take de-
| cisive action in preventing her escape. One
/ naval officer with whom the reporter talked
tonight was emphatic in his declaration
| that the captain Of the man-of-war was
perfectly justified In what he had DONE
| assuming. Of course, that the schooner
was within the territorial limits Of Cuba.
| 1t was the business of the Spanish govern
| ment to intercept any vessels that might
| be used by the insurgents. the right OF a
| cruiser Of one nation TO know the national
| character of any strange ship II may meet
| at sea is sustained by writer's ON interna-
\ tioncl law.
| 1t is held that the party making the IN
! ouiry make himself fully known anyway
! before he can lawfully demand such knowi-
! fused 1t is held that tho inquiring vessel
! may fire blank shot, and IN case OF fur
! ther delay shofted gun may be fred
4 across the bow OF the delinquent by way
/ OF positive sunnons- Any measure beyond
/ the sumnoninS shot which the commander
Of an armed shiP may take for the pur-
! other vessel must Be at his pegil
I II any report OF the a1En1r be made TO
| the State Department some steps win like
| " Be taken BY this government should the
| circumstances seem 70 warrant Il. X the