The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-06-14
A GRAVE COMPLICATION
Reported Arrival Of Key West
Filibusterers in Cuba,
CARRIED BOTH TROOPS AND ARMS.

II the Report be Established as Truth, and
Due Diligence Was Not Exercised to
Prevent the Departure, Our Govern
ment VIII be Responsible for Damages.
WASHINGTON, June a. The steamer
George Childs, carrying the flibustering
expedition from Key West has landed at
Jamaica. Definite information to this
effect has been received here. 1t was due
In q large measure to the sailing Of this
expedition last week that the administra
ton determined on energetic steps to pre-
vent violation Of the neutrality laws and
caused President Cleveland to issue his
proclamation.
The information from Jamaica states
only that the steamer has landed, but
does not add details as to whether tho fill
busterers are still on board or were landed
at some point In Cuba. Jamaica lies
south of the easterly end OF Cuba, SO that
the steamer could have landed her party
either on the east or west end Of the island.
1t was first claimed that the party num-
berod 1000 mon, but later and more
authoritative information reaching here
fixes the number at less than fifty, includ-
ing four leaders.
The George Childs sailed originally
from Philadelphia. When she cleared
there was nothing suspicious about her
cargo, although watch was kept ON her
movements. She stopped at small point
down the Delaware bay, where 1t Is be-
lieved she took aboard arms, ammunition
and a large quantity Of food supplies suit
able for an expedition. Another steamer,
the Bridgeport, accompanied her, but her
future movements are not yet located.
IL q prittah rnInpv and IL Ia
said that the British authorities will take
all necessary steps to see that dlibustering
is not aided from that point. Spanish gun
boats have been on the outlook for the Key
West party, SO that the arrival OF the
Childs at Jamaica indicates that their
watch has been unavailing.
II the George Childs as alleged, has car
ried from the United States a supply Of
munitions of war and ariAbd men to aid
the rebels in Cuba the incident may raise
q grave question as to the responsibility OF
our government. On the statement or
facts us reported to our officials the case
bears u strong resemblance to the cele-
brated Alabama affair, which cost the
British government many millions Of dol
lars to settle.
1t cannot be said that the decision OF the
United States courts in the Itata case fits
this, and would justify our officials In
falling to put forth all proper effort to de-
tain the ship, for in that case the court
| made the point that the Itata expedition
| did not originate in the United States,
and was simply merchant vessel coming
from a foreign country and receiving
aboard q load of merchandise. In the
Childs case, however, the vessel was under
the United States flag and practically the
expedition originated in this country.
| 1t is said that our government was duly
advised of the intended departure of the
Childs expedition, though whether the ad-
vices were in themselves sufficient to
make up prima faoia case justifying the
arrest of the parties or the detention OF
the vessel under the terms Of our own law
cannot be learned.
BY the terms Of the treaty Of Washing
ton the United States bound Great Britain
and itself to the doctrine that nation is
bound to use due diligence" to prevent
the departure of armed expeditions agains,
friendly nation. This raises the point
whether the United States can be held &c
have exercised due diligence in this matter