The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-20
SPAIN TAKING Her TINE.
viii Wait for an 0fncial Report Before
She Replies 10 Our Demand.
THE AMERICAN FLAG WAS FIRED UPON.
Capt, Crossman Makes Affidavit In Denial
OF the Statement OF the Commander
of the Spanish Bost--Gresham
viii Not Talk.

MADRID, March l9.-United States
Minister Taylor informed a reporter OF
the United Press last evening that the
Spanish Government had answered his
note. saying that as yet the foreign Of
flee had received no notice of the alleged
firing upon the American ship Ai1anea
BY Spanish war ship.
The Government promised to make ur-
gent inquiry for an official report of the
incident, and the affair is adjourned,
pending its receipt.
swRARs IT WAS OLD GLORY.
NEW YORK, March 19.-The following
affidavit was drawn up and signed by
Captain Crossman, of the Allianca, this
forenoon:
Captain James A. Crossman, being duly
sworn, deposes and says: That | hare
read in the morning papers of this day,
Tuesday, March 10, 1896, that the COM
mander of the Spanish gunboat Conde de
Venadito has made the statement that
the steamship that was off Cape Maysi,
Cuba, OH the Sth day of March, 1888,
which was fired on by his gunboat. hoist
ed the British ensign in saluting him.
In view of this statement / do most
solemny swear that the flag hoisted on
the staff of the steamship AL ianca, in
saluting the Spanish gunboat off Cape
Maysi. Cuba. March 8, 1895. by my or
ders and In my presence, was the Ameri-
can ensign This is the only flag used
for such purposes-the national flag OF
America.
Sworn to before me,
II. /. BOWDEN.
Notary Public.
(SigneO JAMES A. CRoSSMAN,
Commander.
WILL CARRY ARMS.
Captain Crossman stated that he had
| the British ensign on board. as ne also
had French and Danish flags, when ne
was Obliged to use when entering ports Oh
those islands in the West Indies In pos
session OF different countries. 1hey are
| small flags, however he explained 10 'he
agent of the steamship company.
In regard TO the report that the Al
Ijanca IS 10 carry rifles and other muni-
tions of war in her cargo when she SANS
| to-morrow on her trip to Colombia, the
! agert of the line said this morning that
liz was quite true though not at all re-
markable or sensational. The company
| ca rrie. arms TO the Colombian Govern
ment on nearly every outward pouhu
| steamer. IL was a perfectly legitimate
| trade. and violated no law. Inc s'Sailie.
did not stop ct a Cuban port anu t,e
| arms were not intended fer Cupau teue.s ..s,
| can't Crossman said the Spanish naVaI
| of,icers have a contemptuous opinion Oh
| the American ravy, but they nave
wholesome fear of the British navy, ana
wou1d not fire on British nag
Not Pressing Spain for Reply
u,curNCTON. March 19.-The Cabinet
| -. ~. fSref time since Mafcu
| 1st. Secretary Gresham went over 10 tie @
| vVbite House at II o'clock. armed with
| several volumes of treaties on interha-
| tionaI law. He had previously eXplalheu
| 70 tha President, by means OF chart
and nv ouotations frcm diplomatic au-
| tborities the reasons for his action IN
demanding an apology and reparation
| from Spain in the Allianca matter. IL
! Is understood that he reiterated ms eN-
nlanaticn this morning for the benent OF
| hts official associates. on ms way W ',e
! White House Secretary Gresham was ASK
eJ n he would have any news to-day
about the Alltanca affair and he made
This non-committal answer: I'm surJ
don't know
II Is learned from other sources thar the
state Department is not impatient with
The course OF Spain in delaying a positive
answer TO the demand of this Govern
ment. bat will give the Madrid author
i'ics ample opportunity TO ascertain the
facts before taking the next step in the
rioceedings The Cabinet crisis in Madrio
is also given as a reason why this Gov
ernment will not press for an immediate
answer TO the demand for an apology.
II is believed that the Venezuelan and
| Nlcaraguan difficulties are considered ty
the President and his advisers as OF
much more dangerous and pressing i'm
portance than the Allianca incident, d;
| n nnY sfnnds.