The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-03-16
MR. GRESHANS DEMAND
Spain Must Apologize for the Al
- lianca Affair.
MINISTER MURNAGA SURPRISED.

The Spanish Diplomat Intimates That There
Should Have Been No Demand Until the
Report of the Spanish Captain Had Been
Presented.
MADRID March administer Taylor has
received cablegram from Secretary
Gresham calling attention to the firing on
the Alliance by Spanish gunboat, The
cahlegram says:
1.-THE windward passage, where this oc-
CURED, is the natural and usual highway
for vessels plying between ports OF the
United States and tho Caribbean sea.
Through it several regular lines of Amer
can mail and commercial steamers pass
weekly within sight of Cape Maysi. They
are we'll known and their voyage embraces
no Cuban port of call. Forclble interior
ence with them cannot be claimed as
belligerent act, whether passed within
three miles OF the Cuban coast or not, and
can, under no circumstance, be tolerated
when no state of war exists.
"This government will expect prompt
disayowal of the unauthorized act and due
expression of regret on the part of Spain,
and it must insist that immediate and
positive orders be given to Spanish naval
mato American commerce passing through
that channel, and prohibiting all acts
wantonly imperiling life and property
lawfully under the flag of the United
States. You will communicate this to the
minister of foreign affairs, and urge the
importance Of prompt and satisfactory re-
sponse."
In discussing the Alliance affair with
reporter Senior Murnaga, the Spanish min
lister, said:
This looks very much like a sea SER
pent affair. Every now and then cap
tain states that he has seen the sea serpent
and came near being swallowed by 1t.
Captain CroSsman is no doubt worthy
officer, but it looks very much as though
he had dream as TO seeing u Spanish
gunboat. The proper course would be to
exact affldavits from the crew and passen-
gers of the Alliance, and find out II they
agreed with the statement of Captain
Crossman."
A letter from the captain general Of
Cuba received by Minister Murnaga says
that everything is quiet in five provinces
and that the only danger comes from the
possibility of shipping arms, ammunition
and men from the United States. The
people OF Cuba, reports tho captain gen
eral. are entirely opposed to all disturb
nnce, this being the case even with the
leaders of the former revolution.
As soon as the text of Secretary Gresh-
ANS demand on Spain was received 1t was
/ taken by a reporter OF the Associated Press
to Senior Murnaga, the Spanish minister
II am astonished," said he, that this
! course has been taken when as yet only
| one side of the story has been told, and any
| action must be based on the OK parte state
ment of Captain Crossman."
The minister scanned the text of the de-
mand forwarded to Spain, commenting on
the severity of the language that this gov
eminent will expect prompt dlsavowal"
and "due expression of regret on the part
of spain" with Immediate and positive
orders to Spanish naval commanders,
"Will Spain apologlze?" Minister Muir
maya was asked.
THAT remains to DO seen after Spain 8
side Of the story Is learned" said he.
Certainly there will be no reply until
after the facts are known, not alone from
| Captain Crossman, hut from the com
mander Of the Spanish gunboat alleged to
have done the firing. If Spain is in the
wrong she will promptly apologize"
Secretary Gresham came to the state de-
partment in person, looking very weak as
the result of his illness, but determined to
keep the further negotiations in his own
hands. Looking to the future, 1t is fully
expected, In view Of the prompt action OF
the Spanish minister here in promising in
advance that If Spain was in the wrong
she would make all proper repatriation, that
the incident will be speedily and peace
fully settled.
II, however, the Spanish government
should be stung by the urgency shown by
the United States in making the issue into
refusing to meet our demands, our minis
ter, Mr. Taylor, may not unlikely demand
his passports, and unless cooler counsels
may be coming from some disinterested
and friendly nation prevail, an ugly com
plication may result, ending in the pres
ence of considerable fleet of United State.
naval vessels in Cuban waters to protect
American shipping.