Evening star., 1895-06-12
His Influence Sent a Ship to the
Florida Coast.
NEUTRALITY LAWS TO Be OBSERVED
Cuban Filibusters Not to Be Al
lowed to Act.
DAMAGE CLAIMS AVOIDED

The ordering of a ship to the Florida
coast to help the Spanish patrol against
flibustering expeditions to Cuba is ac-
cepted as the first work of Mr.. Olney in
the State Department. The Treasury and
the Navy Departments are the more di-
rectly in evidence, but the new premier is
accredited with the real influence behind
the move.
The Order Commended.
The order is commended in political cir
cles. 1t is conceded to be the duty of the
United States to exert full power to keep
neutrality faith with Spain. Sympathy
with Cuba in her natural desire for inde-
pendence Is one thing. But the paramount
thing is to prevent the territory of this
country from being converted into re-
uniting ground and a naval station by the
enemies of Spain in their efforts to over
throw her authority on the island. 1t is
asserted that the Florida coast is being
so used: that the Cuban leaders have been
growing bolder and bolder in activity there,
and hence the decision reached that the
United States authorities must, in justice
and comfy, manifest an aggressive in
terest in the premises.
England a Place of Refuge.
The administration of neutrality laws is
admitted to be difficult even under the most
favorable conditions. Some of the most
tinctions are encountered. England's ex
perience is big with instruction on this
score. She has always insisted on a lati-
tudnal reading of those laws. AS a conse-
quence, she has always been called upon to
shelter those ambitious men of other coun-
tries whose enterprise and unrest had cost
them a residence at home. They have
rushed to heI protection, and there renewed
their work. Louis Napoleon planned his
first French campaign while living In exile
in England. The ablsst of Garibaldfs
ieutenants rendezvoused in London and
did much of their effective work there, and
the leading enemies of Russia for half a
century, when driven from the empire,
have made a bee-line for the English shore.
So confused had the whole question become,
indeed, that when the agents and support
ers of the confederate states who had ar
rived In England began their operations
there against this government, some of the
first lawyers of the realm divided on the
question of how far they might go without
local molestation. AS result, the friends
of the confederacy went SO far that when
the war was over in this country, and the
government had time to give attention to
such matters. England was brought up
with round turn at Geneva, and forced
to foot the bills for the destructive cruises
of the Alabama. Then, for the first time,
England had pointed out to her the differ
ence between giving shelter to political
refugees and permitting those refugees
while enjoying her hospitality and protec-
ton to use her territory for active work
against a power with which she was on
terms Of friendship.
MIR. Olney's Desire.
Mr.. Olney ID admitted to be a lawyer Of
the first class and the belief is that he has
been studying this Cuban question in the
light of what this government has con-
tributed to the elucidation Of neutrality
privileges and limitations. He Is probably
familiar with the whole Alabama case. and
does rot want the briefs of the American
lawyers submitted to the court of arbitra-
ton at Geneva rendered into vigorous
Spanish and sent to him by Spain with
claim for damages for activity permitted
by this government to the friends of Cuba
in furtherance of the present revolt.
II Cuba wins Spain. Of course will make
no demand. A successful revolution would
put her out of court all round. But If
Spain wins, and 1t is possible for her to
prove the allegations that some of her
officials are now making, it Is only reason
able to suppose tfat some steps will be
taken to have the matter complained of
formally adjudicated. And here comes up
the very interesting question: How much
Hight on the subject would the correspon-
dence of the Cuban leaders, If captured
with them, be likely to shed? And who in
this country would become involved?