The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-16
SENIOR MURUAGA TALKS.
The Spanish Minister Thinks Gresham
Has Acted Hastily.

Has Acted Hastily.
WASHINGTON, March 15.-As soon as
the text of Secretary Greshams demand
on Spain was received it was taken by
reporter to Senior AIuruaga, the Spanish
minister. Il astonished, said he, that
this course has been taken when as yet oniy
one side of the story has been told and
any action must be based on the ex parte
statement of Captain Crossman." The
minister scanned the text of the demand
and commented on the severity of the lam
guage that this government will expect
prompt disavowaF' and due expression of
regret on the part of Spain,' with .imme-
date and positive orders to Spanish naval
commanders. Senior Muruaga had received
no copy from the State Department nor any
intmation that this step had been or would
be taken, nor had any word yet come from
the Spanish government to him. AS it had
gone directly to United States Minister
Taylor, at Madrid, to be by him commu-
nicated to Spain, Senior Muruaga said the
course would he for Spain to make her
reply to Mr.. Taylor, who would communi-
cate it to the State Department.
''Will Spain apologize Minister Muruaga
''That remains to be seen after Spains
tainly there will be no reply until the
facts are known, not alone from Captain
u
Spanish gunboat alleged to have done the
firing.
The Minister was in doubt as to how soon
the facts could be learned, in view of the
inability thus far to communicate with the
Spanish ship. When the. facts are
known, said the Minister, Spain will be
able to act intelligently on the whole case
and not the partial case made out by
Captain Crossman. Spain would undoubt-
edly rest on the recognized principle of in
ternatfonal law, that a country maintained
her sovereignty over the waters within her
f,r;c,f9 9s<.ff0 lfrfaif In
garded the terms of the demand surprising
in asserting that interference with Amer
ican saps aet whether tbeS
within three miles of the Cuban coast or
not" This he considered denial of the
recognized sovereignty of Spain over the
jurisdictional waters of Cuba.
But, IN any event, said the Minister,
Grafton to be observed. If the United states
made this demand, then il essential
that the United States should take steps
intended to be used against Spain. 1t had
already been established that three yachts
loaded with insurgent arms at Fernandina,
Fla. They had been apprehended, but SUBJ
sequently released sndn me csin arms were put IN
case was settled Mr.. Borden, in charge of
the arms, had shipped them to unknown
points. 1t was notorious, the Minister said.
that this traffic was going on. 1t was
essential that Spain 1 should protect her,
United States. If. therefore. demand was
made by the United States it would be
opportune to consider what protection
would be given to Spain.
Earlier in the day. before Senor Muruaga
had seen a copy of Secretary Gresham $
demand, the Minister said he was pursuing
his Investigations of the Allanca affair. and
had received telegraphic and mail reports
from the Governor-general of Cuba, all of
which stated that there was no information
of the Spanish gunboat, although the Off
cials along the eastern coast of Cuba, where
the supposed outrage occurred had been on
the lookout. For my part, said the Min
serpent affair. Every now and then a cap
tain states that he has seen the sea SER
pent and came near being swallowed by ii.
Captain Crossman is no doubt a worthy
officer, but it looks very much as though
he had a dream as to seeing Spanish
gunboat. There are no affdavits yet The
proper course would be to exact affidavits
from the crew and passengers of the Al
lianca and find out il they agreed with
the statement of Captain Crossman''
The letter from the Captain-general of
Cuba received by Minister Muruaga SAYS
that everything is quiet III five provinces.
and that the only danger comes from the
possibility of shipping arms. ammunition
and men from the United States The peo-
pie of Cuba reports the Captain-seneral.
are entirely opposed to all disturbance. this
being the case even with the leaders of
the former revolution.
Senor Murlia2a Was asked how the report
from the Captain-general could be reconcied
with the statement of Colonel Firardo at
Tampa. who has just arrived from Cuba.
and who said the rrvolutionists had held
manler-in-chief and envoys TO foreign gov
erufnents, and were about to choose Pres
ident Tor the ncN republic and issue dec
lartion Of independence.
occurred said the Minister. ''and all men,