The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-03-19
SPAIN FIaEs ON OUR FLAG.
An American Mail Steamer Chaset
by q Ndan-of War Or Cuba.

1 AL ancFlCah halI S9EGAhGrf OnuSeU
by a Man-of War or Cuba.
The American mail steamship AL
liancia, while proceeding from Colon
to New York ON the morning of the
Sth instant, sighted barkentine rig
ged steamer under the land off Cape
Maysie, the eastern edge of Cuba,
which headed directly toward her. AT
o'clock when about two and "a half
miles distant, the stranger hoisted the
the Spanish flag, which was saluted by
hosting the American ensign and dip
ping 1t, which act of courtesy was an
swered by the Spaniard. AT 7:30 she
fired q blank cartridge to leeward,
which was soon followed by another.
The American ensign was again hoist
ed and dipped, but the course and
speed OF the ship was not changed, as
no hostile demonstration was anti
cipated, as the Alliancia was more
than six miles of the land at the time.
The Spanish man of war was not
satisfied with even the double salute to
her flag, but proceeded to chase the
American at her full speed, Judging
from the smoke that came from her
tunnels, and seeing that the Alliancta
was drawing away from her, she hove
to, TO bring the guns to bear and fired
u solid shot which struck tho water
less than an eighth of milo away from
the ship aud directly in line. This
was followed by two more solid shots
which fortunately did not reach their
mark, though they struck the water
in plain sight OF the ship. AT each
to get the range of the American ship
before firing on her, plainly showing
the intention to hit her Ii she could.
Captain CrOssman, OF the Alliancia,
knowing he was more than two leagues
FROM land and on the high seas, did not
consider 1t his duty to detain his ship
to find out the reason for such an out
rage, even for 80 summary demand
and so ordered full steam and gradually
drew out Of range. The chase was
kept up for more than twenty-five
miles before 1t was abandoned. II tho
Spaniard had had more speed or her
doubt the incident would not have
ended so fortunately for the Ameri-
can.
This outrage has beea reported to
the Secretary OF State by Captain
Crossman, and no doubt prompt de-
mand will be made on the Spanish
government for an explanation OF the
insult, and reason required for the
attempt to stop an American mail
steamer ON the high seas in time of
peace. Captain Crossman has written
letter tn the Secretary OF State at
Washington giving full statement Of
the Spanish warship's conduct.
President Cleveland has been absent
on hunting expedition in North Car.
olina, and Secretary Gresham has been
quite sick, which delayed attention to
nj hn a,;, A..
On the 10Th inst. SccretaryoG Gresham
cabled the following dispatch to our
minister at Madrid:
Taylor, minister, Madrid. This
department is informed that, on the
Sth inst, the United States steamship
Alliance, on her homeward voyage
from Colon to New York, when six
miles from the coast Of Cuba, OF Cape
Maysi, was repec teily Tired upon by -
Spanish gunboat, with solid shot,
which fortunately fell short.
1.-The windward passage, where this
occurred, Ia the natural and usual
highway for vessels plying between
ports of the United States and the Ca
ribbean sea. Through it's several reg
ular lines OF American mail and com
mericial steamers pass weekly within
sight OF Cape Maysi. They are we'll
known and their voyage embraces no
Cuban port Of call. Forcible interfer-
ence with thcm cannot but be claimed
as belligerent act, whether they pass
within three miles OF tho Cuban coast
or not, and can, under no circum-
stances, be tolerated, when no state OF
war exists.
This government will expect
prompt disavowal OF the unauthorized
act aud due expression Of regret on the
part of Spain, and it must insist th tlhiat 1T
immediate and positive orders be given
to Spanish naval commanders not to
interfere with legitimate American
commerce passing through that chan
mel and prohibiting all acts wantonly
imperilling life and property lawfully
under the flag of the United States.
You will communicate this to the
minister for foreign affairs and urge
the Importance OF prompt and salts
factory reSpOpsa ~