The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-13
SOLID SHOT WAS USED.
The Ensign Was Dipped, but
No Respect Paid to the
Customary Salute.
FULL EXPLANATION WANTED
Captain Crossman Thinks He Was
Taken for Revolutionary
Transport.

New YORK, March 12.-The American
mail steamship Alliance, which was pro-
ceeding from Colon to New York on the
Sth inst, signaled a barkentine-rigged
steamer under the land off Cape Nays, at
the eastern edge of Cuba, which headed
directly toward her. At 7 o'clock, when
about two and a half miles distant, she
hoisted the Spanish flag, which was saluted
by hosting the American ensign and dip
ping, which act of courtesy was not an
swered by the Spaniard.
At7:15 o'clock she fired blank cartridge
to leeward, soon followed by another. The
American ensign was again hoisted and
dipped, but the course and speed of the
ship was not changed, no hostile demon
stration being anticipated.
The Alliance was more than six miles
off land. The Spanish man-of-War was not
satisfied, however, with even double
salute, but proceeded to chase the Amer
lean to the fullest speed. Seeing the ALI
anca drawing away she waved to bringing
her gun to the car and fired a solid shot,
which struck the water less than an eighth
of mile away from the ship and directly
in line. This was followed by two more
solid shots, which, fortunately, did not
reach the mark, the second striking the
water in plain sight of the ship. At each
shot, however, the Spanish snip waved to
get range of the American ship before
firing on her, plainly showing her inten-
ton to hit her if she could.
Captain Crossman of the Alliance,
knowing he was more than two leagues
from land and on the high seas, Or
Oh
out of range. The chase was kept up for
more than twenty-five miles, however.
This outrage has been reported to the
Secretary of State by Captain Crossman,
and no doubt a.prompt demand will be
made on the Spanish Government for an
explanation of the insult and the reason
required for the attempt made to stop an
American mail steamer on the high seas
in time OF peace.
Captain Crossman was unable to name
the Spanish gunboat.
1--WE were six miles off the shore on the
high SEAS" he said, land do not think we
were responsible to the Cubans or anybody
else for being in those waters. The shots
were fired, doubtless, by some conceited
Spaniard who has an idea that he can stop
anything that floats. However, he was
disappointed, as it never occurred to me
for moment to lay to. 1t is customary
for US to run within half mile of the Gu
ban coast, and this time we were far Their
away from it than ever, and I really can
not tell why the shots were fired"
In answer to question as to whether or
not the shots might have been fired by the
gunboat with the idea that his boat be-
longed to the revolutionists in Cuba the
captain said:
They might have been practicing on
us'
The Alliance has been running between
this port and Colon for number of years
making one trip each month. She leaves
here on the 26th day of each month and
starts on her return trip on the 5th of the
following month. She carries the United
States mail and has passenger accommo-
dations for $50 cabin passengers. Includ-
ing the officers she carries crew of sixty
men.