The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-08
OFF THE FLORIDA COAST.
Sympathizers in This Country
Contribute Literally to
the Cause.
QUEsADA TELLS HIS PLANS.
VIII Take Its Departure
for Cuba.

FERNANDINA, FLA, June 7.-Captain
Lassere of the pilot-boat Francis Elisabeth
has just arrived and reports sighting yes
terday a Spanish gunboat cruising about
six miles from the shore. 1t passed Cum
berland Bar northward, and returned
about five hours later, moving much slower
and closer to the shore. The captain of
the pilot-boa concluded that she wanted q
pilot and made toward her, but when the
gunboat observed this she changed her
course.
Considerable excitement was created
here by the pilot captains story, as it was
not believed that Spain considered the
Florida coast of sufficient Importance in
respect to flibustering expeditions to be
patrolled by a gunboat.
Captain Johnson OF the schooner Green
leaf, from New York, arrived here to-day
and substantiated the story told by Cap
tain Lassere. Captain Johnson says that
when he crossed the bar at 8 o'clock this
morning the gunboat was cruising slowly
four miles off the bar, apparently on the
lookout.
The secret Cuban council finished its
business to-day and departed. None of
the party would deny or affirm the report
that they were awaiting the arrival of Jose
Marti, who is said to be now en- route here.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, June Soon
zales Quesada, secretary of the Cuban
party, returned here to-day from Fernan-
dina. When questioned about the report
that he was planning for a filibustering
expedition on the Florida coast, he replied
that it would not start for several weeks.
Quesada addressed the Cuban cigar
makers at Ell Merito factory to-day.
Among other things he said he wanted
1000 rifles within the next month. He
asked the cigar-makers at the factory to
furnish 100 of them, which they agreed
to do.
WASHINGTON. D. c., June THE
report from Florida as to the dispatching
of three torpedo-boats with a Cuban revo-
lutionary party is thought by Spanish Off
Gals here to be ruse to divert attention
from movements at other points.
1t is stated that the torpedo-bo boats could
make but a feeble showing against the
large fleet of Spanish cruisers and gun
boats now patrolling Cuban waters.
1t is said that General Rafael Quasada is
the moving spirit of the present operations,
=
Florida dispatches mention a Consoles de
Quesada as one of a revolutionary board
at Ocean Beach, Fla. This General
Quesada is a former secretary to Jose
Marti. The latter's death is now conceded
by revolutionary leaders, according to
advices received here.
Department officials do not attach any
importance to the statement of the Lon
don Standard that Spain would make a
claim against the United States, based on
the precedent of the Alabama claims, for
permitting arms and ships to leave the
United States in aid of the Cuban cause
1t is said that no definite information of
this aid has yet been given, and that when
ever it is given the United States will use
every available means to suppress the
traffic. In this connection official atten.
ton has been directed to the open carry
ing of the flag of the Cuban revolution by
armed bands in the streets of Tampa, Fla
HAVANA, CUBA, June IA small de-
tachment of Spanish troops, it is an
nounced in dispatch from Manzanillo,
were surprised by insurgents commanded
by Amadora Guerra. Fierce fighting fol-
lowed. The Spanish lost one sergeant and
three soldiers killed and had seven
wounded. The insurgents were compelled
to retire, leaving four dead and nine
wounded. The troops pursued the fleeing
insurgents and captured five prisoners.
Another dispatch announces that num-
Der of insurgents recently attacked the
village of Guaya, which was defended bv
small detachment of troops commanded
by Colonel Castellani. The Spanish
soldiers routed the enemy, who lett three
dead soldiers on the field.