The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-21
of Secretaries Evarts and
blaine i'm Attcmpting TO secure
Rcparation for Outrages.
CRossMAN'S PARTING SHOT
BRIEF But TART REPLY TO CLEvE-
LANDS ALLEGED CRITICISM.
Views of the GuatcmaIan and MexicaA
Ministers ON the Dispute over
boundary Lines.
Special to the indianapolis som nal.

few days to the calmer methods OF diplo-
matte correspondence Once that stage has
been reached there is no telling when the
end of the Allianca affair will ever be
seen. There is probability, If precedent
is gauge. that the successor of Mr.. Gresh-
viii find himself reporting progress In
the diplomatic adjustment of the Alianca
affair when he writes his last report to
the President. Spain is probably the slow
est nation in Europe to repair injuries, and
being. perhaps, the most pitiably insignifi-
cant there is no proper method of bring
ing her 30 prompter account. Secretary
Gresham. who cabled TO Minister Taylor at
Madrid to demand prompt disavowal OF
the Spanish war ships insult. has something
to learn of the ''promptness' of Spanish
diplomacy. II he viii casually glance over
the correspondence of his department, be-
ginning in the year $780, and continuing
until 1851. he Will learn at least what he
has to expect of Spanish promptness. In
May, June and July, 1880. four Americas
! schooners were fired on at various dates
by a Spanish gunboat in the vicinity of this
same Cape Mays where the Allianca at
fair occurred. These boats, instead OF OUT
sailing the Spaniard, stopped and were
searched. On Aug. II. 1880, Secretary oe
State Evarts demanded prompt" nvestga-
ton and reparation. The Spanish govern-
ment promised prompt action. Nearly. four
months after-on the I'd of December, to be
exact-Secrefary Evarts cabled to the Amer
lean minister at Madrid his ''deep chagrin''
at the fact that no reply had yet been
received from the Spanish government. Mr..
Fairchd our minister. was pointedly di-
rected to ascertain and telegraph when a
reply might be expected" Another month
elapsed, and on Jan. 3, 1881, there arrived at
the Department of state bulky letter frors
~ p;cl,I aies, nm nj
elaborate and formal politeness that the
Spanish Secretary of State was advised by
telegraph from the Captain-general of Cuba
that the prompt investigation so peremp-
tory demanded would soon terminate
Another exemplifcation of Spanish prompt
ness followed when two months later the
report was still not forthcoming. 1t was
at the eve of Secretary Evarts's retirement
from the State Department, to be succeeded
by Mr.. Blaine, when Mr.. Evarts sent to
Minister Fairchild a ringing dispatch In re-
ply to The answer that Spain had at last
sent an answer, in which that government
had practically sought to ju&ify the action
of it's war shap. Mr.. Evarts laid down. in
the most unmistakable terms, the conten-
ton that this government would under no
circumstances excuse the visitation OF
American vessels by Spanish ships outside
the customary nautical league.
Mr. Blaine took up the affair where Mr..
I5varts laid it down. On April 4, 1881, Sec
retary Blaine received letter from the
Spanish Secretary of State, Montijo, setting
forth that Under the laws of Spain that
government claimed jurisdiction for GUS
toms purposes six miles from the shores OF
Cuba, and that treaty modified these
laws and no power had protested against
them for so many years, the Spanish
government deems it its duty to maintain
them and cause them to be respected"
And there the matter has rested, so that
the Alliance affair of March, 1895, is merely
the continuation OF story that began in
May, 1880, fifteen years ago. Spain will bs
in hurry to court a final verdict on the
question of maritime jurisdiction. She may
readily apologize and salute the American
flag. That costs little, but unless there has
been mighty revolution in the stately
methods of dgnified leisure hitherto in
vogue at the Spanish Foreign Office ii Will
be many long day before Minister Taylor
will be able to report to Secretary Gresham
that he has successfully carried out his
instructions that Immediate and positive
orders be given TO Spanish naval commando
ers not to interfere with legitimate Amer
ican commerce passing through the Wind
ward passage"
Frye FavOrs War with Spain.
WASHINGTON, March Ex-senator Frye
was asked to-day what he thought OF the
prospect of an amicabe settlement Of the
Allianca difficulty with Spain, and replied:
''It looks if Spain would make the
qulred apology, and if So all will soon be
settled. had hoped 1t would be otherwise.
and that Spain would assume such bell
ligerent tone that IL would be necessary for
the United States to so over and take pos
session of Cuba. We certainly ought TO
have that island in order 10 round out our
possessions as they should be, and IL We
Cannot buy IT. T. for one should like TO
have an opportunity to acquire II by con-
quest
Senate committee on foreign relations, his
utterances possess considerable significance,
indicating as they do the early revival OF
efforts to acquire Cuba
Crossman Knows His Bpsiness.
NEW YORK, March 2o-Captain Cross
man was seen by reporter to-day. just
before his steamer, the Ailianca. sailed for
Colon. and was asked what he had to say
regarding the statement that President
Cleveland had expressed great dssatisfac-
tion with what it was claimed were glaring
Inconsistencies in the chart and aftidavits
submitted by Captain Crossfnan. Well"
said the Captain, II don't care to criticise
do think / know my business. 1 have
spent thirty-sx years learning it. and I
believe | am competent to prepare an ac-
| curate chart and description OF my ships
course at sea. IL the President had re-
ouested my appearance I'm Washington to
personally explain the matter l think
could have satisfied him In five minutes.
There is nothing more TO be said about the
affair"
spain's Action Com mmc aided.
LONDON, March 21.-The Post this morn
ing, in an editorial the Alanea affair.
says: "On the whole 1t seems that Spain
was fully justified in her action. 1t can
hardly be contended that a suspected breach
| of neutrality between Americans should be
| left to the American government to punish.
| America recent declaration shows that rli-
clustering expeditions were expected.
Spain's right to protect herself against the
| secret supporters of her revolving subjects
| cannot be justly contested"
Minister Muruaga May Retire.
WASHINGTON, March 2o.-An evening
| payer says: 1t is authoritatively stated
| that there II no foundation for the report
| that Senor Muruaea win be recalled W
] his government ON the suggestion Of So