Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-15

when no state Of war exists. This govern
ment will expect prompt disavowal of the
unauthorized act and due expression OF
regret on the part of Spain, and 1t must in
s.st that immediate and positive orders be
given to Spanish naval commanders not to
interfere with legitimate American COM
merce 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 for foreign affairs, and
factory response. GRESHAM.
The Spanish Minister Surprised.
AS soon as the text of Secretary Gresh-
ANS demand on Spain was known here 1T
was taken by a reporter Of the Associated
Press to Senior Muruaga, the Spanish mill
ister.
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 ex-parte state
ment of Capt. CrOSSman."
| The minister scanned the text of the
demand forwarded to Spain. commenting
on the severity of the language that this
government will expect prompt disavowal
and due expression of regret on the part
Of Spain," with immediate and positive
orders" to Spanish naval commanders.
Senor Muruaga had received no copy of
nor any intimation that this step had been
or would be taken, nor had any news yet
come from the Spanish government to him.
AS it had gone directly to United States
Minister Taylor at Madrid, to be by him
| communicated to Spain, Senior Muruaga
said the course would be for Spain to make
her reply to Mr.. Taylor, who would COM
municate it to the State Department
ga was asked.
THAT remains to be seen after Spain's
side Of the story is learned" said he.
| Certainly there will be no reply until all
| fhe fQn nf or kyonu nnf oil frnrr, Co
Crossman, but from the commander of the
Spanish gunbeat alleged to have done the
| firing"
The minister was in doubt as to how
soon these facts could be learned. in view
Of the inability thus far to communicate
with the Spanish warship. When these
| facts are known, said the minister, Spain
| will be able to act intellgently on the
whole case, and not on the partial case
| made out by Capt. Crossman. Spain would
| undoubtedly rest upon the recognized prin-
| ciples of International law, that country
maintained her sovereignty over the wa
| ters within her jurisdictional limits. In
| this respect he regarded the terms of the
| demand surprising in asserting that inter-
ference with American ships cannot be
claimed as a beligerent act, whether
| they pass within three miles of the Cuban
coast or not" This he considered a denial
! of the recognized sovereignty of Spain
over the jurisdictional waters Of Cuba.
| Shipping Insurgent Goods.
But in any event, said the minister, there
was another very important question to
be observed. II the United States made
this demand, then it was essential that the
United States should take steps to prevent
the shipping of insurgent goods intended
| to be used against Spain. 1t had already
been established that three yachts-the
Lagonda, Baracoa and Amadis-were load
ed with insurgent arms at Fernandina
| Fla. They had been apprehended, but sub
| sequently released. The arms were put in
warehouse pending an attachment.
When this was settled Mr.. Borden, In
| charge OF them, had shipped them to un-
known points. 1t was notorious, the min
lister said, that this traffic was going on
| It was essential that Spain should protect
| herself or should have the protection OF
the United States. If, therefore, demand
| was made by the United States it would
| be opportune to consider what protection
would be given Spain.
At the state Department..
The dispatch given above as having beer
sent by Mr.. Gresham to Madrid was 'cable6
here today from Madrid. The State De
partment officials today admit the correct
ness of the cable showing that Secretary
Gresham has made protest and a de
mand for a disclaimer and apology on the
Spanish government for the firing upor
the Allianca. 1t is too early as yet to ex
pect a response from Minister Taylor, an(
when it does come it is rather expected
that it will indicate a desire by the Span
ish government for proper opportunity t.
ascertain the facts before taking action II
the matter But this. it is said at the de
partment, will scarcely avail in the pres
| ent case unless the message conveys some
assurance on the part of the Spanish gov
ernment that 1t has instructed it's nava
| commanders to refrain from further in
reference with vessels flying the American
flag. The notable feature of Secretary
| Gresham'S dispatch is found in his state
ment that when an American vessel Is OF
l x1,o 20 hat e1o 10 {,,s,; 4.