The record-union., 1895-03-20
THE FIRING ON THE ALLIANCA.
NO NEWS YET HEARD FROM MIN
ISTER TAYLOR.
The Spanish Commander Claims the
Vessel Flew the British Flag,
Which is Denied.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.


WASHINGTON, March 19.-As far as
learned the State Department has not yet
heard from United States Minister Taylor
or from Consul General Williams at Ha-
vana upon the question of the identity of
the Spanish cruiser which fired upon the
Allianca
AS the commander of the Conde de
Venadito reported the steamer upon
which he fired was flying.the British flag,
there is a possibility that his story refers
to another incident, which may result in
bringing Great Britain to the defense of
her ensign, for the Spanish cruiser, ac-
cording 20 the position taken by Secretary
Gresham, was bound to accept colors
displayed in answer to the signal as estab-
fishing the nationality OF the vessel.
1t begins TO appear that our Govern
ment Is not disposed to he unduly exact
ing IN the matter of speedy response
from the Spanish Government, inasmuch
as the entire Spanish Cabinet has re-
signed.
Nothing is known here OF the reported
action Of the Spanish ship Infanta Isa-
bella or ArcedO firing Oh American ves-
sells. There is good ground, however, for
believing that the ship sailing from Sa-
NoLiiAL4 Will S(lpdI dI HIS dDOdTu " III
furnish an actual case OF detention, if she
is overhauled. Careful investigation is
proceeding as to the cargo shipped by the
Alliance at Colon, allegations that arms
were taken aboard under cover of dark
ness having been made. COmmuuica-
tlons have been received in Washington
from Cuba that the Conde de Nenadito
was the Spanish warship firing on the
Aliianca. These advices said that the lat
ter ship was flying British flag. There
is no further doubt as to the receipt by
Secretary Gresham of reply from Spain
10 his demand, but there is reason to be-
Ileye the published reports have failed to
state some important reservations by
Spain. One part of Spain's answer may
consist IN calling attention to charge
that III November last number of Span
lsh Cubans were fishing in the Gulf of
Mexico, when they were fired on by q
United States revenue cutter. first with q
cannon and later with small arms. The
firing Is alleged TO have occurred twelve
miles from land. The SpaniarGs were
carried to New Orleans, where, it is said.
the United States Court for the Southern
District OF Louisiana released them. Spain
has not, thus far, made protest, but may
DO so. now that the United States has pro-
tested against the firing on the Alliance.
FLEW THE AMERICAN FLAG.
NEW YORK, March ia cable dis
patch from Havana to the effect that the
commander of the Spanish cruiser Conde
de Nenadito had reported that he fired
on the steamer on March Sth, off Cape
Maysi, after signaling her, and was re-
piled to by the hosting of the British
flag, has brought forth affidavits from
Captain CrosSman OF the Alliance and his
officers that the American and not the
British ensign was flying from the stall
OF the Alliance. The report that the
Allianca carried rifles on the south bound
trip was also emphatically denied by
representatives of tho Panama Railroad
Company.
Captain Crossman's affidavit is as fol-
lows: Captain James j. Crossman
being duly sworn, deposes and says he
has read in the morning papers OF this
date, Tuesday, March 18th, that the COM
mander OF the Spanish gunboat Conde
de Nenadito has made the statement
Il at the steamship that was Off Cape
Maysl, Cuba, on the Sth OF March, 1895,
which was fired on by his guaboat.
hoisted the British ensign in saiutiug
him. In view of this statement, he does
most sOlemnly swear that the flag hoisted
on the staff OF the steamer Alliance in sa-
lutte to the Spanish gunboat off Cape
Maysl, Cuba, on the Stn day of March,
1885, by his order and in his presence, was
the American ensign. This is the only
flag used for such purposes, the national
flag of America"
similar at1idavits were made by Benia-
min Corning, First officer; L. W. Rus
sell, Second Officer; w. II. Churchill,
Purser; A. 5. Jussen, Freight Clerk; Z.
I. klngman, Surgeon.
These affidavits will be forwarded at
once to Washington by the company.