Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-18
One Believed to Have Been Received
Through Minister Taylor.
REGRET At THE ALLIANCA INCIDENT
Will Avoid Cause for Complaint in
the Future.
Mr.. GRES RETICENT


there is good reason for the belief that the
Spanish government has made a prelIm-
mary reply to Secretary Gresham's mes
sage in regard to the Alliance affair. Ac
cording to the best Information, the Span
ish minister of foreign affairs courteous
ly and temperately acknowledges the re-
cefpt Of Mr.. Gresham's note and expresses
his regret that anything should have oc-
CURED to interfere with the cordial rela-
tions of the two governments. He calls at
tention to the entire absence Of official in
formation in regard to the alleged firing
upon the Alliance, adds that steps have
been taken to have the matter thoroughly
Investigated, promising prompt action as
soon as the report called for from the
captain general at Havana has been re-
ceived.
The Spanish government also gives as
surances that steps will be taken to pre-
vent any interference whatever with Amer
ioan commerce in Spanish waters and
that there is no likelihood of a repetition
of such an affair as that alleged by the
commander of the Allianca. 1t is made
particularly clear that the Spanish gov
ernment will endeavor to avoid any just
cause for complaint on the part of the
United States.
Minister TuylOr's Telegram.
Minister Taylor. at Madrid. was the medi-
um of communication in this correspond
ence.
While the officials of the State Depart
ment are unwilling to say anything what
ever concerning the contents of Minister
Taylor's cablegram, it is believed the fore
going is fairly accurate Interpretation
of the dispatch. 1t will be noted that the
Spanish government promptly complies
with one of the most important of Secre-
tary Gresham's demands, which was for
Immediate assurance" that the war yes.
sells patrolling Cuban waters should not
give further offense in the manner COM
planned of in the Allianca affair. AS to
the other demand made by Secretary Gres-
ham that the Spanish government should
promptly express its regrets for the at
tempted detention of the Allianca, Minister
Taylor's dispatch indicates the willingness
of the Madrid government to comply there
with in due time, should the facts on in
vestigation prove to be in accordance with
the unofficial representations made by the
United States.
The Usual Custom.
In taking this position Spain is simply
acting in accordance with the usual Gus
tom in like procedures. he Spanish gov
ernment Is said to have stated that no de-
tailed information from Cuba bearing on
the affair fas been received, and this is
borne out by the debate in the cortes yes
terday, when the minister had no facts to
offer. 1t was not to be expected that any
declaration would be made by Spain until
such a report had reached Madrid, and this
is believed to be the view taken by the
President and the Secretary of State The
cablegram is understood to contain, more-
over, strong expressions of good feeling
toward the United States and a recital of
the fact that Spain had no doubt that the
incident would be settled to the satisfac-
tion Of both nations.
Conference With the President.
Secretary Gresham had long conference
with the President on the subject of our
foreign complications this afternoon. Be
fore entering the White House he informed
a group of reporters that he had nothing to
say in regard to the Allianca case, and he
declined to affirm or deny the correctness
of the published synopsis of Mr.. Taylor's
government. He explained that he could
not properly discuss the matter in its pres
ent state, but assured the reporters that
all the correspondence would be given out
in due course OF time.
Mr.. Gresham Indorsed.
1t is understood that the President has
fully indorsed the course pursued by Mr..
Gresham, in his absence. in the affair with
Spain, with the single exception that he did
not think the message to Mr.. Taylor should
have been published until the Spanish gov
ernment had had an opportunity to submit
its reply. 1t is possible that an effort Will
be made to ascertain how the press secured
the manifesto on the very lay it was tel
egrarhed to Madri1.
Minister Murunga Will Say Nothing.
Senior Muruaga, the Spanish minister, de-
clined to see callers or to receive any mess
ages. In response to urgent requests for
information on the Alliance affair and the
answer Of Spain, a note from the minister
was presented to all inquiries, saying:
Excuse me. have nothing further for
publication
Among the callers on the minister was
Mr.. Gray, former owner of the Alliance,
but he, too, was unable to secure an inter-
view. He next went to the State Depart
ment Mr.. Gray was receiver Of the Amer
lean and Brazilian Steamship Company,
which operated the Alliance, and sold her
terms of her capabilities. Mr.. Gray says
that his present business with the Spanish
minister and the State Department Is of
private nature and does not concern the
Alliance trouble. He is well acquainted
with the coast trade between the United
States, Cuba and South America and does
not believe our commercial interests will
be seriously affected by the Cuban uprising
or ty the Alliance incident.
The President Holds n Conference.
President Cleveland conferred at noon
today with Secretaries Gresham and Car
Isle. Representative McCreary, until re-
Gently chairman Of the House committee
of foreign affairs, was also present. 1t is
understood that the status of the negotia-
ton with Spain over the Alliance affair
was gone over.
The statement is made that the present
aspect of the subject is such as to give as
surance to the authorities that there would
be no trouble of a serious character be-
tween the United States and Spain.
AMERICAN SCHOONER SUNK.
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