The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1895-03-19
CRESHAM'S DEMAND.
Tho Secretary Wants Spain to
Apologize.
4 NOTABLE POINT IN THE DISPATCH.
Secretary Gresham Also Wants the spanish
Government to Instruct It's Naval
commanders Not to Interfere
with American Vessels.

WAsHNGroN. March lG.-rhe state
department officials admit the correct
ness of the Madrid cable showing Sec
rotary Gresham had made protest and
demand for disclaimer and an apology
ON the Spanish government for the fir
ing upon the Allianca. 1t is too
early yet to expect response from
Mr. Taylor. but If it does come it is
rather expected Il will indicate "a
desire by the Spanish government
for proper opportunity to ascertain
the facts before taking action in the
matter. But this, it is said at the de-
partment, will scarcely avail in the
present cause, unless the message CON
veys some assurance on the part of the
Spanish government that it has in
structed its naval commanders to re-
frain from further interference with
vessels flying the American flag.
The notable feature of Secretary
Cresham's dispatch is found in his
statement that when an American yes
sci is on her usual route the fact that
She + inside or outside of the 3-mile
limits does not affect the merits of the
case From this it is apparent that the
secretary has taken his stand on the
decision of the Alabama claims com
mission, which was practically new
dictum in international law. for il had
been the rule previous to that decision
- regard as beyond question the right
Of a nation To retain suspicious vessels
passing within the limits of miles
from its coasts over which its marine
jurisdiction extended.
II will undoubtedly cost Spain bit
ter effort to accept the force of this
doctrine, for if the right to stop sus-
picious ships in Cuban waters is denied
the task of maintaining an effective
blockade against flibustering expedi-
tions will be extremely difficult. if not
impossible without recourse to n formal
acknowledgment of bclligerency of
the insurgents. The Spanish govern
ment would be exceedingly loath, as are
nearly all nations in such cases, To
make such an acknowledgment. for not
only would it immensely strengthen
the rebellion morally, but it would re-
suit in comforting upon them certain
very important aides in the prosecution
of their warfare. 1t was for just such
Il privilege that Adm. ia CANA strug-
| glcd 50 hard in the brazilian rebellion,
only 10 meet defeat through the sue
cess of the efforts Of the Pexioto gov
ernment in persuading the United
States against aifording recognition of
/ his belligerencY.
Secretary Gresham came to the state
| department looking very weak, as the
result Of his illness, but determined TO
keep further negotiations in his own
! hands. Looking To the future, it is
! fully expected, in view of the prompt
action of the Spanish minister here, in
promising that if Spain was in the
wrong she would make all proper rep
aration, that the incident will be speed
! lily and peacefully settled If, how
ever, the Spanish government should be
stung by the urgency shown by the
United States in making that issue
into refusing To meet our demands
our minister. Mr.. Taylor may make
demand for his passport and, unless
cooler counsels coming from some
dsinterested and friendly nation pre-
vail, an ugly complication may result
ending in the presence of consider
able fleet of United States naval YES
sells in Cuban waters tn protect ship
ping.