New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-07
AN APOLOGY WITH A STRING.
SPAIN ADMITS THE ERROR OF HER AGENT
IN FIRING ON THE ALLlANCA.
SIZE ALSO ISSUES ORDERS THAT MORE CARE BE
EXERCISED IN SIMILAR sITUATIoNs-BUT AT
TIE SAME TINE SIZE ANNOUNCES
HER INTENTION OF DISCUSS
ING THE GENERAL SUB
JECT FURTHER

BY TELEGRAPH TO i'N'p'.'+-'i
WASHINGTON Nav 6.-The state department
has received the reply Of spain 10 secretary
Gresham's demand in the case of the Ailianca.
The answer is satisfactory az far as il goes. but
p suppementarv dispatch is to folioW Which
mav and doubtless will be in the nature or a
counter-dcmand The Madrid Government ad-
mits that the assault upon the American steam
er by the Spanish cruiser was unwa rranted ana
expresses regret at the occurrence Inc rep'!
reached the State Department n few DAYS ago
but. consistently with the policy OF suppr'sslhs
all news relating to international aHairs the
fact has been withheld from the pubic. IN"
message came from Minister Taylor. through
whom Mr. Gresham's dispatch was transmitted
to the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs. 1t
is In two parts. each OF which was sent from
Madrid separate occasions.
In his dispatch Secretary Gresham said that
this country must insist that Immediate ana
positive orders be issued TO Spanish naval oni-
GERS in Cuban waters not to interfere with pass
ing American commerce and prohibiting all
acts wantonly imperilling life and property law
fully under the United States flag. SPANS first
answer relates to this part of the demand or
the State Department 1t says that appropriate
instructions have been sent her naval officers In
Cuban waters and that hereafter II is expected
than in the Allianca affair. Following soon
after came the reply to those parts OF Mr.. Gresh-
ans dispatch relating to the facts In the case
as stated under oath by Captain Crossman. Sec
retary Gresham said that the Allianca al the
time she was assaulted was outside the three
milo limit and on the high seas. Spain comedies
this point She says that upon investigation II
has been found that when the Conde de Ncna-
dito fred AT the American ship the latter was
more than three miles from shore. AS par
liating circumstance 1t is mentioned that on the
occasion the regular commander or the 'onne
de Venadito was not on board. being NJ a as
tant point sick junior. less discreet "'n'"r
was I'm charge Of the cruiscr, ana To tIiS i"'' ~
largely due the error of judgment SPAN "N-
presses regret at the occurrence frankly ana HlH-
avows any intention 20 offend TINS country OF u"
Interfere with its commerce.
To this last reply Spain adds Tint 'ur'h"r
communication on The general subJcc' iNFnlN'h
may be expected from h"r. In faci she fnyE
plainly that she viii revert 10 IN" innii"f III I"
subscaurni dispatch. I'm which questions bearing
upon the Alllalca an'ir VIII h' discnH5'1 h' 20
at length II is ilapoasiblc :" say Ju', row
what Srain Will refer 90 IN the expected com
munfcat ton but II IN thought her" that nN" VIII
claim that while she. or more strictly ti"akirg'
one ~ her impulsvc naval rcpr's"ntatN''. WIS
AT fault I'm the Ailiuncn aialr. ~" nit"d states
is not lInmeless for In this country ih'I" arc
persons who openly sympathizc WIN nnd .'ffi.'
the Cuban rebels. 1T Is also believed 'hai Siaih
viii a,ternpt TO show that American v"ss'la. IN
Guiding those OF the line 10 which IN" Alli"nch
belongs. have. while on the high seas. trans
fcrred arms and ammunition to small l"ais.
which aftcrward landed the cOntraband articles
in Cuba. The State Department has no inior-
nation going TO show that any such charges are
well founded
Asked to-day how he regarded Spain reply.
an official OF the State Department said: 1T IS
a satisfactory answer dignfed In tone. yet suf-
cient in every respect as an apology. spain does
not humble herself. neither would any big coun-
try under like conditions but she Is frank ana
admits the error OF her agents.