River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-03-21
INSULT TO OUR FLAG.
Solid Shot Sent After American
Ste amers


Alleged outrages Committed by Spanish
Men-of-wsr ON the Hish seas--one
Vessel Escapes. But An
other Is Sunk.
NEw YORK. March 1.-THE Colom-
bian line steamer Alliance, Capt. Cross
man. from Colon, which arrived at
quarantine at if:45 a. m. Tuesday,
brought startling tale of out
rage at sea. March s, at about
7:3O o'clock in the morning. when
the steamer was off the east end of the
island of Cuba, a brigaptine-rigged
man-of-war. flying the Spanish flag,
was passed, steering in the same direc-
tion at distance of about / = mile.
The Alliance dipped her colors in
salute and the courtesy was acxnowl-
edged and reciprocated by the Span
lard.
A few minutes later a puff of smoke
appeared from the man-of-wars bow,
and report followed. This was fol-
lowed few minutes later by another
blank cartridge. Capt. Crossman did
not pay any attention to the shoot
ing, but continued on his course
northward. The man-of-war then al
tered its course TO follow the Allianca,
and almost at once another gun was
fired and solid shot came bounding
toward the American steamer. missing
her narrowly. Two other balls were
fired. but both went wide.
The Spaniard fast dropped astern
and after a chase of about IS miles al
tered her course and headed back. Capt.
Crossman can advance no theory to ac-
count for the outrageous conduct of the
Spaniard.
WASHINGTON, March 1s.-Following
is the text of the tart note sent by Sec
rotary Gresham to Minister Taylor at
Madrid, instructing him to demand an
apology for the insult offered the
American flag in the Alllanca incident:
TAYLOR, MINISTER, MADRID: This de-
partment is informed that on the sth inst the
United States mail steamship Alliancn. on
her homeward voyage from Colon to New York.
when miles from the coast of Cuba, oS
Cape Maysi. was repeatedly fired upon by
Spanish gunboat with solid shot. which
fortunately fell short The wlndwatd
passage, where this occurred. is the natural
and usual highway for vessels plying be-
tween ports OF the United States and the
Caribbean Through IL several regular
lines OF American mail and commercial steam
ers pass weekly within sight OF Cape MaysL
They are well known and their voyage en-
braces no Cuban port of call Forcible inter-
ference with them cannot he claimed as n
belligeTent act whether they pass within 2
miles OF the Cuban coast not, and can, un-
der no circumstances, be tolerated when nc
state OF war exists.
This government win expect prompt dis
avowal of the unauthorized act and due ex
preston OF regret on the part OF Spain, ana it
must insist that immediate and positive orders
be given to Spanish naval commanders not 10
interfere with legitimate American commerce
passing through that channel, and prohibiting
all acts wantonly imperilling life and property
lawfully under the flag OF the United States.
You viii communicate this to the minister
for foreign affairs and urge importance OF
prompt and satisfactory response
GRESHAM"
When shown the text of Secretary
Gresham's cablegram TO Minister Tay
lor. Senior Muruaga said:
Il am astonished that this course has
been taken, when as yet only one side
of the story has been told, and any
action must be based on the ex-partc
statement of Capt. Crossman."
"Will Spain apologize" Minister Mu-
ruaga was asked.
That remains to be seen after
Spain's side of the story is learned,
said he. Certainly there will be no
reply until all the facts are known, not
alone from Capt. Crossman. but from
the commander of the Spanish gunboat
alleged to have done the firing"
KEY WEST. Fla, March 19-Passen-
gers on the steamer which arrived
from Havana Saturday night bring
news of reports in circulation there of
further depredations by Spanish cruis-
crs on American vessels along the Gu
ban coast. The latest report is to the
effect that a Spanish gunboat, Arced.
fired into and sunk an American
schooner off Puerto Padre. II is
reported that the crew of tho vessel.
numbering sixteen persons. persisted
with it. 1t is not known whether
the schooner had arms or carried
an expedition for the Cubans.
II was reported in Havana that the
schooner had sailed from Key West.
Inquiries. however. fail to show that
any boat is missing or unreported. en-
cept those engaged in legitimate trade.
Many sailed recently for West India
ports with full cargoes.
NEW YORK. March l9.-The Recorder
publishes the following dispatches
from Washington: Spain has replied
to Secretary Gresham's demand. A
dispatch was received Sunday night
that, so far as Il goes, is
entirely satisfactory to the United
States. II is response to the
last part of Secretary Gresham's
dispatch in which he insists that i'm
mediate and positive orders be given
to Spanish naval commanders not to
interfere with Legitimate American
commerce passing through that wind
ward channel and prohibiting all acts
wantonly imperiling life and property
lawfully under the flag of the United
States"
That part of the dispatch which re-
fers to the firing upon the Alliance is
reserved for future reply. after an in
vestigation by Spain into the circum
stances that surround it. There Is no
doubt in the minds of the president
and the secretary of state that this will
receive prompt disavowal as an I'M
authorized act and that due ex-
I. r