The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-03-21
CALLED TO TIME.
Secretary Gresham Makes Demands Upon Spain on Account of the Firing on the Alllanca.

Secretary Gresham Makes Demands Upon
 Spain on Account of the Firing on the
 Allianca.
 WASHINGTON March 16-The state department officials admit the correct ness of the Madrid cable showing Sec retary Gresham had made protest and demand for disclaimer and an apology on the Spanish government for the fir ing upon the Allianca. It is too early yet to expect response from Mir. Taylor, but if it does come it is rather expected it will indicate q desire by the Spanish government for proper opportunity to ascertain the facts before taking action in the matter. But this, it is said at the de- partment, will scarcely avail in the present cause, unless the message con- veys some assurance on the part of the Spanish government that it has in- structed its naval commanders to re- frain from further interference with vessels flying the American flag.
 The notable feature of Secretary Gresham's dispatch is found in his statement that when an American yes sel is on her usual route the fact that she is inside or outside of the Smile limits does not affect the merits of the case. From this it is apparent that the secretary has taken his stand on the decision of the Alabama claims com mission, which was practically new dictum in international law, for it had been the rule previous to that decision to regard as beyond question the right of a nation to retain suspicious vessels passing within the limits of miles from it's coasts over which its marine jurisdiction extended.
 It will undoubtedly cost Spain bit ter effort to accept the force of this doctrine, for if the right to stop sus- picious ships in Cuban waters is denied the task of maintaining an effective blockade against filibustering eXpedi- tions will be extremely difficult, if not impossible without recourse to a formal acknowledgment of belligerency of the insurgents. The Spanish govern ment would be exceedingly loath, as are nearly all nations in such cases, to make such an acknowledgement, for not only would it immensely strengthen the rebellion morally, but it would re- suit in conferring upon them certain very important aides in the prosecution of their warfare. It was for just such privilege that Adm. Da Cana strug- gled so hard in the Brazilian rebellion, only to meet defeat through the suc- cess of the efforts of the PeXioto gov erDment in persuading the United States against affording recognition of his belligerency.
 Secretary Gresham came to the state department looking very weak, as the result of his illness, but determined to keep further negotiations in his own hands. Looking to the future, it is fully expected, in view of the prompt action of the Spanish minister here, in promising that if Spain was in the wrong she would make all proper rep aration, that the incident will be speed fly and peacefully settled. If, how ever, the Spanish government should be stung by the urgency shown by the United States in making that issue into refusing to meet our demands, our minister, MT. Taylor, may make demand for his passport and, unless cooler counsels coming from some disinterested and friendly nation pre- vail, an ugly complication may suit, ending in the presence of consider able fleet of United States naval yes sells in Cuban waters to protect ship