The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-03-13

NEW lOEk, MutCu l-.-lNo hMcrlClu
mail steamship Alliance, while proceed.
ils from Colon TO Now York, ON tho
morning OF tho sth inst, sighted q bark.
entile rigScd steamer under tho land
Of Cape Maysi, on tho oastorn edge OF
Cuba, which headed directly toward
her. At Z o'clock, whom about two
aud one.hali miles distant, she hoistod
the Spanish flag, which was salutcd by
boating tho American ensign and dip
ping II, which act OF courtesy wns
answered by the Spaniard. At t7:l5 sho
fred blank cartridge to leoward,
which was soon followed by another.
The American ensign was again hoistcd
aud dipped, but the course and speed OF
the ship was not changed. as no hostile
demonstration was anticipated, as the
Alliauca was moro than ak miles of tho
land at tho time.
Tho Spanish nan-of.war was not sat.
nfed. however. with even tho double
salute to her flag. but proceeded to
chase tho American at full speed, judg.
iac from the smoke that came from hor
ilnnel, aud seeing that the Allianca
was drawing away sho yawcd to, to
bring her guns to bear. and tired solid
shot which struck the water less than
an eighth OF q mile away from tho ship
aud directly milne. This was followed
By two uore solid shots, which, for.
tunately. did not reach their mark,
though they struck tho water in plain
sight OF the ahip. At each shot, how
ever, the Spaniard waved to get tho
range OF the American ship before firing
on ner, plainly showing her intention
TO hit her il she could. Captain Cross
man, knowing he was more than two
leagues from land and on tho high seas,
did not consider 1t his duty to detain
his ship to find out the reason for such
IN outrage even for 40 summary a de-
mand, and SO ordered full steam and
gradually drew out OF range. The chase
was kept up for moro than twenty five
miles, however, before il was aband.
oned.
II the Spaninrd had had more speed
or her gunners been better marksmen,
no doubt tho incident would no. have
ended 30 fortunately for the American.
Tni. outrage has been reported to tho
secretary oil state BY Captain Cso'sman
aud no doub. a prompt demand will be
made on the Spanish govcrnment for an
explanation for the insult and reason
required for tho attempt made to stop
an American mail steamer on the high
seas in time OF peace. Captain Cross.
man, Of tho Allianca, has written lot.
ter 70 the secretary o! state at Wash
ington. giving 4 full statement OF tho
Spanish warship's conduct.
Captain Grossman was unable TO get
the name OF the Spanish gunboat.
1--WE were six miles of tho shore on
the high seas" ho said. "and I do not
think We were responsible 10 tho Cubann
or anybody else for being in those wa.
tera. The shots worc fred doubtless By
some conceited Spanlard who has m
idea that ho can stop anything that
aoa.s. However. ho was disappointed
a,i,nevcr occurred TO mo for moment
10 lay to-"
II. il customary for "a to run within
half a mile Of the Cuban coast and this
time wo wero further away from /: than
ever and I really cannot tell why the
shois wero fred"
In answer 10 quos.ion as to whether
or no. tho shots might have boon fired
BY the guuboat with the idea that his
boat belonged to tho reYolutionis.s in
Cuba tho captain smiled.
They might huyo bccn pracsicing on
W, was the replY.
Tho Allianca has beon running bo.
tween thi, port and Colon for mum
Dor Of years, making Quo trip oach
month. She leaves thi, port on tho
2i:H Of each month. aud Starts on her
return trip on the 9th Of tho following
month. She carries tho United States
InaIIs and has passongor accommoda-
ilona for $50 passengers. Including the
officers she carlos crew OF siXty men.
Immediately after the steamer AllnI-
ca reached her pier this afternoon.
Capt. J. A. Crossman sent tho following
!oitct 70 the secretary oil state at wash
ington:
VoLuNmAH LINE STEAMSHIP ALLrAHcA,
r!Eg 43, NoRrH RIVER.
SEw YonK, March l2, 1906. }
70 H1r Water o Graham. scere.aV " state,
HARRINGTON, D. C.:
S!R:.-Thc American mail steamer
AIliaHca, undcr my command, while on
her homnward bound voyage from
LoIon, H. g., to Now York, was upon on
tiIe morning OF March s of tho coas. OF
Cuba.
At N:%O o'clock barkcn.ino ricsed
Steamer was pightcd uador tho land,
Nra'ning directly lor 10. At 7:15 shc
aes nor colors proving TO bo Spanish
ennbon'. Immediately ordorud tho
American ensign hoistoJ on tho Allianca
aud salutcI the Spnniard, which salute
was duly returned by hGr. then Onco
more aalnicd, and supposed tho matter
was at an end. But, about five minutes
later, tho Spaniard fred II blank cart.
HoSe aud fow moments later another
one. followed shortly afterwards by
'nrGe solid shots. all Of which fell short
"l The Aliancn, but showing worry con-
cIusiyely that tho Spaniard wns firing ut
'ia being full. ak miles oil shore and
on tho high seas paid no !urtnor attcn-
ton TO tho Spanatd. but kup. nv courHe.
Tho Spaninrd kept UP tho chnsc, al
though gradually dropping aa,orn, for
inily twenty-five mites.
desire 10 know II tho Spaninrd has
any right to fro ON my ship, with the
nns9ibo chance Of enhungoring tho livoa
"i tho pnssonsorJ and crow under luy
cnargc. or TO compel mo to hcuyo 10 "a
he probably intended.
respectfully Ask for information on
That subject, as l did not and do not