Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-23
Original Position in the Alli8nca
Case Abandoned.
SPAIN TO TAKE Her Time TO REPLY
The New Spanish Minister Getting
information in Havana.
HIS POSSIBLE CONTENTION

The Spanish government Is showing no
undue haste i'll complying with Secretary
| Gresham's ultimatum of March Is for "a
prompt disavowap' of the firing upon the
Alliance and due expression of regret on
| the part of SPAIN" The demands of the
United States were telegraphed to Minister
Taylor at Madrid on the 18th ultimo. He
was instructed to inform the Spanish gov
eminent that this government would toll
crate no interference with it's vessels using
the regular paths of navigation, whether
they pass within three miles of the Cuban
coast or not. He was also instructed to
insist that immediate and positive orders
be given to Spanish naval commanders not
to interfere with legitimate American COM
merce passing through the Windward Pas
sage and prohibiting "aA acts wantonly I'M
periling life and property lawfully under
the flag of the United States" The min
lister who to communicate this demand TO
the Spanish minister for foreign affairs and
ito urge the Importance of prompt and
satisfactory response"
So far as known the Spanish government
has complied with Secretary Greshams
demands to the extent of acknowledging
the receipt of his Communication and
promising that the matter would be made
the subject of official inquiry.
A Change of Front.
It is now said that the State Department
has practically abandoned its original po-
sition in the Alliance affair, so far as the
demand for prompt apology on the part
of Spain is concerned. 1t is now generally
conceded that Secretary Gresham was I'M
duly precipitate in his demand, and that
he has since concluded that 1T was only
fair that Spain should have an opportunity
OF investigating the circumstances before
humbly acknowledging herself at fault In
the matter. The American steamship Al
lianca was fired upon in the Wtndward
Pass, off Cape Maysi, Cuba, on the Sth of
March, by the Spanish gunboat Condo de
Vencdito, because OF her refusal to stop
when signaled to. She was suspected of
f1libustering. The shots were at long range
and did no harm. 1nasmuch, however, as
she displayed the flag of the United States.
the firing was officially regarded as a ma
tional insult. On the 18th ultimo Secretary
Gresham telegraphed the facts of the case
to the Spanish minister of foreign affairs,
through the United States minister at Mad
rid, and demanded immediate reparation.
rais telegram was made public the same
day.
From that day to the present time, so far
as official information has been vouchsafed
the public, the Spanish government has po-
| litely declined to accede to any of Mr.. Ores
hams demands. Although Mr.. Gresham is
known to be annoyed at the apparent delay
In the matter, he has not, SO far as known.
renewed his demands or insisted upon
greater promptness in the matter.
Gossip in Diplomatic Circles.
The gossip in diplomatic circles Is that
this affair will run on for many months yet,
| before it can properly be regarded a
! CLOSED incident The Spanish authorities
are acting with elaboration in the matter,
| and will hesitate long time before hum
| bling their pride with an apology, even
supposing that the facts show 1t to be due.
Senior Dupuy de LONE, the new Spanish
minister to the United States, is now in
Havana investigating the case. with view
| to the conduct of future negotiations with
| this country for its settlement The action
Of the Spanish government so far shows
conclusively to persons familiar with their
diplomatic methods an unmistakable pur
pose to dispute the contentious of the
United States on the main issues involved,
| and to prolong the negotiations to the full
est extent possible rather than accede to
the demands of Secretary Gresham.
The officials who take this view Of the
case assert that Senior de LONE Is gather
ing material from Spanish sources in Cuba
to justify the action of the commander of
the Spanish gunboat and that he will come
to this city fully prepared to demonstrate
that If there was any violation OF inter-
committed by the American steamship
rather than by the Spanish gunboat He
will endeavor to show that the Alliance
was a proper subject Of suspicion under
in Spanish jurisdiction when she was sig
nailed to stop. Her failure to stop will also
be mentioned as an indication of her sus-
picious character sufficient to justify the
use of solid shot by the gunboat.
This government took year to satisfy
itself that Italy was justly entitled to repa-
ration for the massacre of several of her
subjects in New Orleans in 1891, and the
indications are that 1t will take quite as
| long to bring Spain to just acknowledge
ment Of her responsibilities in the Alliance
affair.
senior Muruaga's Departure.
Senior Muruaga, the Spanish minister.
who has been succeeded by Senior de LONE,
has left this city for Mexico. whence he
goes to Spain. There have been no official
formalities, SO far as can be learned. at
tending Senior Muruaga's departure. 1t Is
understood that his official letters of recall
will be presented by the new minister
when the latter presents his credentials
and exchanges greetings. Pending the ar
rival of Senior de LONE the legation here
will be under the direction Of Senior Sagra-
rio, as charge d'affaires.
TEMPERANCE MASS MEETING.
Zion Baptist Church Filled With Anti