Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-03-14
AMERICAN FLAG FIRED ON
The U. s. Mall Steamer
Allianca Attacked.
SHOT AT AFTER TWO SALUTES
Statement Made to the Secre-
tary of State.
captain Cheeseman's fetter-nc Claims
That lie Was Fired Upon by Spanish
Cruiser After Twice Shluting-rho Case
Reported to the state Department.

-
New YonK. March 1.-THE American
mali atenmship Allanca, while proceeding
from Colon tn New York. OH the morning
Of the Sth instant sighted barkentine.
rugged steamer under the land off Cape
Mavsi, the eastern edge of Cuba, which
headed directly toward her. AZ Z o'clock.
when about two and Il half miles distant,
she huisLed the spanish flag, which whs
salutul by hosting the American ensign
and dipping IL, which act OF courtesy was
answered by the Spaniard,
At 7.lj she tired blanl; cartridge TO leo
ward, which was sOuu followed by another,
The American ensign was again h0istGd
aud dipped, but the course and speed OF
the ship was not Changed, as no hostile
demonstration was anticipated as the ALI
anca was more than six miles off the land
ut the time.
The Spanish man.of-war wns not salts
fled, however. with even the double salute
to her flag, but proceeded to chase the
American at her full speed, Judging from
the smoke that came from her funnel,
and seeing that tho Alliance was drawing
away, she waved to bring her guns to bear
and fired IL solid shot which struck the
water less than an eighth of u mile away
| from the ship and directly in line. This
| was followed by two moro solid shots,
| which, fortunately, did not reach their
mark, though they struck the water in
| plain sight of the ship AT each shot.
| however, the Spnniard waved to get the
range of the American ship before firing
| on her, plainly showing the intention to
hit her if she could.
Captain Crussman Of the Alliance, know
! ing lac was more than two Leagues from
| land ami on the high seas, did not conf
! slider it his duty to detain his ship to find
out the reason for such an outrage, even
| for so summary demand, and SO ordered
| full steam and gradually drew out OF
range. The chase was kept up for more
than % miles, however, before 1t was
| abandoned.
SECRETARY GRESHAM NOTIFIED
Immediately after the steamer Alliance
reached her pier this afternoon Capt. j. A.
Crossman sent the following letter TO the
Secretary of State mt Washington;
Sir: The American mail steamer Alianca
| under my command, wh'le on her hoinsward-
| bound voyage from Colon, H. u, TO CIV York
was, on the morning Of harch Sth, on the coast
Of tubn. Al $50 o'clock II barkentlne-r gsed
steamer was sighted under the land stehlnnE
directly for ls. She set nor colOrs, proving Il
be spanish gunDOat. Immediately orderad
the American ensign TO the lopmaSt aud
saluted the Spanihrd, which salute YVES dnlJ
returned by her. then MI uted once more
ana supposed tho matter VAS at an end.
But, about iiyc minutes intor, the sphnard
flrel a blank cartridge and IA tOw nnmenis
later another ono, followed shortly afterwart
by three solid shots, all Of which tell sh ri O
| tho Alianra, but sh wing very cOnCl1sivell
that tho Spaniarl was firing Mt US. bcinI
fully six miles off shore and OH the high Scha
| paid no further attention tC The Spanlard hi
Kept my course. Tho Spanarl kept un thu
chase. although gradually dropping astern
| for fully 2b miles. desire To know II TIT
SpHntard ms my right to firo on my snip, will
tho possible Chance Of rndangorlns the live
of the passengers and crew under my charge
or TO compel IN" To heavU TO, ms he proDaDl
intended. | respectfully ask for Information
on that subject M ! did not and do not pro
pose to henve 10, thereby losing time on m
voyage, 10 obige this spa fish gunbOats or an
other, except in case Of distress.
Respectfully,
j, A. CBusSMAE, Commander.
Captain Crossman was born in Hudson
y. ", % years ago. lie has been II sea
} man 81 years. He served in the Unite
States Navy during the Civil War.
The Alliance is screw steamship O
LOS tons and was built ut Chester, Pa, il
, 1888 by the Pennsylvania d. and 4. work!
; The Spanish Cousul, Gen. Arturo Bald,
sano. said this afternoon in his office thu
he had not heard of the firing on I'll
: Alliance by the Spanish gunboat, and col
, sequently was not in a position to make
, statement. He presumed, however, thi
/ the Alliance, sailing III Cuban waters, r
! fused to obey the commands af the gun
boat, and IN consequence was fired upon.