The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-12
Instructions Issued to the Commander
of the Raleigh to Stop All Fill
clustering Expeditions.
BLOW TO CUEAN PATRIOTS
WHO HAVE MADE FLORIDA THE
RENDEZVOUS OF THEIR RECRUITS.
Orders Also Sent to Collectors of Gus
toms to Enforce Sections $3.50
and $500 Revised Statutes.

WASHINGTON, June 11--Acting Secre-
tary McAdoo. of the Navy Department,
said this afternoon that the instructions
sent to the commodore of the cruiser Ra-
leigh for his guidance when on patrol
duty off the Florida coast were of the most
comprehensive kind, and provided for a full
and strict enforcement of the neutrality
laws The Raleigh will probably go first
TO Key West This is the only port on the
Florida coast where a vessel of her draught
can safely enter. She will then make a
thorough patrol of the coast line, and, to
render 1t more difficult for a filibusterng
party TO get away, the cruisers steam
launches and small boats will be manned
whenever it is necessary to look into mar
row inlets and passes for lght-draft
schooners and yachts, which are the favor
ite means Of transportation of the filibus-
ters. With Spanish men-of-war lying off
the Florida coast outside of the three-mile
limit, and the Raleigh and her boats
sweeping the inside waters, the overen-
thusiastc Cubans and their American SYM
pathizerS who undertake to drive the
United States into trouble by using Florida
as a base of hostile operations against the
government Of Cuba are likely TO be re-
pressed with a strong hand. The position
of the administration is tina they must
make all honorable efforts to prevent the
abuse of its territory in this way, and if
the measures already adopted are not suffi-
cient to secure the enforcement Of the neu-
trality laws to degree that we have our
selves insisted upon when our own inter-
ests were concerned, then active steps may
be taken ashore TO move on the people who
have laid themselves open TO prosecution
by organizing hostile expeditions and aid
ing in illegal ways the warfare on a
friendly nation.
The following letter was sent to-day to
all collectors of customs on the coast from
New York TO the Rio Grande:
1T is a matter of rumor that at vari-
Gus points in the United States, attempts
are making to enlist men. 10 equip and arm
vessels. and by other illegal measures. to
aid the insurrection now in progress in the
island of Cuba. While this department has
not been furnished with tangible evidence
confirmatory of such rumors. it deems it
of great Importance that no possible oppor-
tunity be given for complaints that the
government OF the United States has in
to friendly nation. Collectors of customs
for the several districts between New York
and Brownsville, are especially enjoined to
see that the neutrality laws of the United
States. particularly Sections $3.50 and 529O.
qf the Revised statutes tie fui-
The sections -.,ea Statute re-
ferred TO are as follows;
Section 52s9-The owners or consignee of
every armed vessel sailing out of the ports
OF the United States, belonging wholly or
in part to citizens thereof SHALL before
clearing out of same. give bond TO the
United States with sufficient sureties in
double the amount of the vessel and cargo
on board. including her armament. condi-
toned that the vessel shall not be en-
ployed by such owners TO cruise or commit
hostilities against the subjects. citizens. or
property of any foreign prince or state. or
OF any colony, district or people with whom
the United States are at peace.
Section 5290-The several collectors OF the
customs shall detain any vessel manifestly
tuilt for warlike purposes, and about to
depart the United States, the cargo of
which principally consists of arms and
munitions of war. when the number of men
which shipped board. or other circum-
stances render 1t probable that such ves-
sci is intended 10 be employed by the own
ers to cruise or commit hostilities upon the
subjects, citizens, or property of any for
eign prince or state, or of any colony. dis
trict or people with whom the United States
are at peace until the decision of the Presi-
dent is had thereon, or until the owner
gives such bond and security as is required
OF the owners of armed vessels by the pre-
ceding section"