The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-16
For Firing at the American
Nail Steamer Allianeia.
SHARP DEMAND BY GRESHAM.
He Calls For Immediate Satisfaction
For the Insult to the Flag.
Surprise or the Spanish Minister at
Washington Cfty-The Reports or
the Outrage In the winawari Pass
age Fully Substanfiatci~ The Alli-
amelia Han Away From Her Parsuer.

Madrid, March Is.-The following cable
gram has heen received here. Taylor.
Minister, Madrid. This department Is In
formed that on the sth inst the United
States mail steamship AIisancia. on her
hcnleward passage from Colon to New
fortA when six miles from the coast OF
Cuba. OF Cape May. was repeatedly fred
upon by Spanish guubaat with solid
shot. which fortunately fell short. The
Windwara passage, where this occurred.
Is the natural and usual highway for ves-
sells plying between ports of the United
States and the Caribbean sea- Through
II several regular lines OF American mail
and commercial steamers pass weekly
within sight of Cape May. They are wen
known, and their voyage embraces no
Cuban port OF cali. Forcible interference
with them cannot be claimed ex-
cept as beliigerent act. whether
they pass within three miles ~
the Cuban coast or not. and can
under no circumstances be tolerated when
no state OF war exists. This government
VIII expect prompt disavowai of the un-
authorized act and due expression of re-
gret upon the part of Spain. and Ii must
insist that immediate and positive orders
be given TO Spanish naval commanders
not TO interfere with legitimate commerce
passing Through that channel and pro-
htbitiag all acts wantoniy imperiiing life
and property lawfully under the flag Of
the United States. You will communicate
this 10 the minister OF foreign affairs and
urge the Importance Of a prompt and sat
tsfactory response GRESHAM"
Washington City. March i5.-The text
of Secretary Gresham's demand on Spain
was shown by a representative of the As
ISOLATED Press to Senior Murugua. the
Spanish minister. 4 am astoniahsd."
said he. that this course should be taken
when only one side OF the story has been
told and when any action must be based
on the ex parte statement of Capt Cross
man" The minister scanned the text Of
the demand forwarded to Spain, COM
menting on the severity of the language:
This government will expect prompt
d.savowal and due expression Of regret
on the part of Spain, with immediate and
positive orders TO the Spanish naval cem-
manders." Senior Murugua had received
no copy of the demand from the state de-
partment. nor any intimaiion that this
step had or would be taken. NOR had any
word yet come from the Spanish govern
ment to him. Certainly there could be
no reply, he said. until ali the facts were
known. not alone from Capt. Crossman.
but from the commander of the Spanish
gunboat alleged 10 have done the firing.
Spain will walt until able TO act intelll-
gently on the whole case She will un-
doubtediy rest upon ther ecognized prsnci-
pie of international law that a country
may maintain her sovereignty over wa
ters -:thin her jurisdictionai limits lie
regarded the terms of the demand as sur
prising In asserting that interference with
American ships cannot be claimed except
as beiiigerent act. whether they pass
within three miles of the Cuban coast or
not. This he considered q denial of the
recognized sovereignty of Spain over the
jurisdictional waters OF Cuba. There is
another very important consideration to
be observed, he said. The United States
having made this demand. then 1t Is es-
sential that the United States shall take
steps TO prevent the shipping of insurgent
goods intended 10 be used against Spain.
Already II has been established that the
yachts LagoRda, Baracoa and Ama1is
were loaded with insurgest arms at Fer
nandina. Fla. They had been appre-
hended but subsequently released The
arms were put Ina a warehouse pending
attachment. When this was settled Mr..
Borden. I'm charge OF them. had shipped
them TO unknown points. 1T was notori-
GUS the minister said, that this train was
. going on. IL was essential that SPAIN
should protect herself or should have the
protection of the United States IL. there
fore demand was made by the United
states. 1t would be opportune to consider
Senior Murugua's reports from the gov
erpor general OF Cuba state that there Is
no information of the Spanish guntsoat,
although officials along the eastern coast
of Cuba where the supposed outrage oc-
CURED have been on the lookut. For
my part" said the minister, this looks
very much like sea serpent affair. Every
now and then a captain says he has seen
n sea serpent and come near being swai-
lowed. Capt Crossman Is no doubt a
worthy officer bat II looks very much as
though he had dream as 10 seeing a
Spanish gunboat. The proper course
would be 10 exact affidasits from the
crew and passengers OF the Aiiianciss. and
ind our IL they agreed with The state
mens of Capt Crossman.
A letter from the captain general oil
Cuba received by Minister Murugua says
that everything is quiet In the FIVE prov
inees and that the only danger comes
from the possibility OF the shipping o!
arms. ammunition and men from ths
T+rited States. The people Of Cuba, re-
ports the captain general. are entirely
opposei 10 al! disturbances. this being the
ease even with the leaders OF former revo-
buttons Murugua diEcredited the report
that the revolu.ionists had held con
siitutional convention. chosen com
rnan5Ar-tn-chtef and ENJOYS 10 foreign gov
errments, and were about TO choose q
president for the new republic and issue
n declaration of independence. The min
sster also denied the report of the XIII
ing OF go Spanish soldiers at the battle
Of gigemta. saying that such calamity
would have been quickly reported 90 him
The state department. officials today
rather expected that SPANS answer
would indicate a desire by the Spanish
government for proper opportunity TO
ascertain the facts before takinf1g action
In the matter. bnt this, II is said at the
.iepa rsrnent, will scarcely ayaH In the
present case unless the message conveys
SOME assurance that the Spanish govern
uasnt has Instructed its naval comma adsrs
10 refrain from further interference with
vessels flying the American Tag A no
table feature OF Secretary Gresharas dis
match is In the statement that when an
American vessel Is on her usual route
rne fact that she In inside or outside the
shree-rngie limit does not affect the merits
ng the case From this II Is apparent
that the secretary has taken his stand
on the decision % the Alabama claims
commission, wsicss was practically new
d{cfurya in international law Tor IL aad