The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-16
Government BRACES UP
Spain Must Explain the Recent Insult
to the American Flag.
SECRETARY GRESHAM SPEAKS
Spanish Government Will BE Called
Upon to Look After Vessels That Fire
on American Ships - Minister
Doubts Captain CrOssman.

Washington, March 15-Secretary
Gresham's peremptory demand to Min
lister Taylor at Madrid for a prompt
explanation of the Allianca affair was
manifest surprise to the Spanish min
lister, Senor Muruagua The minister
did not say that the information was
entirely unexpected, but he did not hes
itate to express his regret and surprise
that the United States government
had apparently acted so hastily in
sending such telegram to Minister
Taylor without hearing both sides of
the case. Asked what the Spanish gov
ernment would probably do in regard
to the matter the minister said:
Il don't think my government will
make any reply until it shall first have
heard from the governor general of
Cuba. Up to the present time the gov
ernor general has been placed in pos
session of no information leading him
to believe that the Allianca had been
fired upon and, l have been inclined to
believe that Captain Crossman was
romancing."
suppose the governor general at
Havana reports that the facts are sub
stantially as stated by Captain Cross
man, what them"
What them" queried the minister.
well, the rest will depend upon cir
cumstances. If the Allianca was with
in the jurisdictional waters of Cuba l
cannot see that we have any apology
to make. If she was outside of the six
mile limit then / have no doubt the
Spanish government will do what Is
proper In the natter
Suppose she was within the jurisdic-
tional limit, but was simply making a
quick transit through the windward
passage in order to reach the Atlantic
and was not carrying any contraband
of war; what face would that put upon
the natter"
In those circumstances the Spanish
government would invoke the general
international law that every nation has
the right of sovereignty in it's own
waters. Everybody knows that we are
having trouble with bands OF so-called
insurgents in Cuba. The government
has declared martial law in the islands.
We know that vessels have been fitted
out in the United States with arms and
men designed to assist the insurgents.
Is 1t not natural under these circum-
stances that we should be suspicious of
all vessels lowering about our shores.
If the United States want to deny our
right of search at this time within the
iurisdictional waters of Cuba they musA
then prevent vessels leaving their
shores which it is known are carrying
m. ,t,.f.h hoy Of fn 1ln N
rebellion against our government"
MIR. Greshain's Dispatch.
The following is Mr.. Gresham's dis
patch to Mr.. Taylor, at Madrid:
This department is informed that on the
9th instant the United States mail steam
ship Alllanca on her homeward voyage
from Colon to New York. when six miles
from the coast of Cuba, off Cape Maysi,
was repeatedly fired upon by a Spanish
gunboat with solid shot which, fortunate
ly, fell short.
The windward passage. where this oc
Cured, is ths natural and usual highway
for vessels plying between ports of the
United States and the Caribbean sea.
Through it several regular lines OF Amer
lean mail and commercial steamers pass
weekly within sight of Cape Alaysi. They
are well known and their voyage embraces
no Cuban port of call.
Forcible Interference with them cannot
be claimed as u belligerent act, whether
they pass within three miles of the Cuban
coast or not. and can under no circum-
stances be tolerated when no state of war
exists. This government will expect
prompt disavowal OF the unauthorized act
and due expression of regret on the part
of Spain. and II must insist that imme-
diate and positive orders be given to
Spanish naval commanders not to inter-
fere with legitimate American commerce
passing through that channel and prohib-
iting all acts wantonly imperilling life
and property lawfully under the flag of
the United States.
You will communicate this to the min
lister for foreign affairs and urge import
ance of prompt and satisfactory response,
Madrid, March 15.--Mr. Hannis Tay-
lor, the American minister, today pre-
sented to the minister of foreign affairs
demand from his government for
apology and reparation from the gov
ernment of Spain on account of the
Allianca affair. Mr. Taylor's action
was based on instructions from Wash
ington sent yesterday.