The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1895-03-22
CALLED TO TIME
Secrets ~ Gresham Makes Demands Upon
Spain ON Account of the Firing on the
AIIlanca.

Secretary Gresham Makes Demands Upon
Spain ON Account OF the Firing on the
AIIlanca.
WAsHINGToN, March 16-The state
department officials admit the correct
ness of the Madrid cable showing Sec
retary Gresham had made protest and
demand for disclaimer and an apology
on the Spanish government for the fir
ing upon the Alliance. 1t is too
early yet to expect a response from
Mr.. Taylor, but if it does come it is
rather expected it will indicate
desire by the Spanish government
for a proper opportunity to ascertain
the facts before taking action in the
matter. But this, it is said at the de-
partment, will scarcely avail in the
present cause, unless the message con-
yeys some assurance on the part of the
Spanish government that it has in
structed its naval commanders to re-
frain from further interference with
vessels flying the American flag.
The nota BILE feature of Secretary
Gresham's dispatch is found in his
statement that when an American yes
sci is on her usual route the fact that
limits does not affect the merits of the
case. From this it is apparent that the
secretary has taken his stand on the
decision of the Alabama claims COM
mission, which was practically new
dictum in international law, for it had
been the rule previous to that decision
to regard as beyond question the right
of a nation to retain suspicious vessels
passing within the limits of 3 miles
from its coasts over which its marine
jurisdiction extended.
1t will undoubtedly cost Spain a Bit
ter effort to accept the force of this
doctrine, for if the right to stop sus-
picious ships in Cuban waters is denied
the task of maintaining an effective
blockade against filibustering expedi-
tions will be extremely difficult, if not
impossible without recourse to formal
acknowledgment of belligerency of
the insurgents. The Spanish govern
ment would be exceedingly loath ,as are
nearly all nations in such cases, to
make such an acknowledgement for not
only would it immensely strengthen
the rebellion morally, but it would re-
suit in comforting upon them certain
very important aides in the prosecutions
of their warfare. 1t was for just such
privilege that Adm. Da CANA strug-
gled SO hard in the Brazilian rebellion,
only to meet defeat through the sue
cess of the efforts of the Pexioto gov
erDment in persuading the United
States against affording recognition of
his belligerency.
Secretary Gresham came to the state
department looking very weak, as the
result of his illness, but determined to
keep further negotiations in his own
hands. Looking to the future, it is
fully expected, in view of the prompt
action of the Spanish minister here, in
promising that if Spain was in the
wrong she would make all proper rep
aration, that the incident will be speed
lily and peacefully settled If, how
ever, the Spanish government should be
stung by the urgency shown by the
United States in making that issue
into refusing to meet our demands,
our minister. Mr.. Taylor, may make
demand for his passport and, unless
cooler counscls coming from some
disinterested and friendly nation pre-
vail, an ugly complication may result,
ending in the presence of consider
able feet of United States naval vcs-
sells in Cuban waters to protect ship
ping.