Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-29
THE ALLIANCA CA E
Spain Expected to Do the Proper
Thing About It.
INSTRUCTIONS TO SPANISH OFFICERS
The Commander Of the Ship That
Fired on Her Relieved.
WHAT NAVAL OFFICERS SAY

Unofficial advices from Havana indicate
that, although the Spanish government Is
not disposed to apologize for the Alliance
affair, 1t Is preparing to make amends in
other ways for the alleged insult to the
American flag in the WindWar pass.
Lieut.. Ybarra, the officer who commanded
the Spanish gunboat Conde de Venadito,
which fired upon the Allianca because she
refused to stop. has been relieved of his
command and will probably be reprimand-
cd. The United States government will be
informed of this action with an accompany
ing statement that the naval officers action
was entirely unauthorized by his instruc-
tions and that suitable punishment will be
meted out to him for gratuitous insult to
friendly nation.
Orders to Spanish Commanders.
1t is also understood that orders have
been sent to the other Spanish command
ers in Cuban waters to observe the require
ments of International law, and refrain
from improper Interference with the ships
OF the United States or other foreign ma
tions. Although the State Department
officials decline to admit the fact, there is
reason to believe that these matters have
been communicated to them, either through
United States Minister Taylor at Madrid
through Senor Muruaga, the resident
Spanish minister here. These assurances
are satisfactory as far as they so, and it
is believed tnat the incident has now
reached phase where it will yield to adj
jt:stment by the ordinary methods of
diplomacy. The instructions reported 70
have been sent to the Spanish naval conf
n nders, as they are received by cable. in
dicGte that the Spanish government has
rot yet accepted the doctrine laid down in
the United States note as to their lack of
jurisdiction within the shore waters in
established routes. but 1t is believed that
this may be safely left for further dis
cussion, and that in the meantime neither
government will do anything calculated to
force decision on the main issue.
Shipments of Arms.
Senior Muruaga, the Spanish minister,
has recently advised the State Depart
ment of several shipments of arms and
ammunition from this country to the In
surgents in Cuba. These shipments are
said to have been made from Philadel-
phia, Perth Amboy. n. j., and Savannah.
Instructions were given to have suspected
points watched and for the prosecution of
parties engaged in the business. The sus-
poets, however. have managed to elude de-
lection, and the prosecuting officers have
been unable thus far to secure sufficient
evidence to make cases.
A Step Toward Rcpnration.
Among diplomats here the relief of the
Spanish commander is taken to be an ac-
knowledgment that the Spanish COM
mander was in error, and as a step toward
the reparation Spain is to make. There is
little doubt that the new Spanish minister,
Senor de LONE, will go to Cuba before
coming here. The effect of this will be to
leave Spain without a minister in the
United States after the next two weeks
Senor Muruaga has determined to leave
about April 10 or II, as he has important
private business demanding his attention.
The new minister could not reach here by
that time If he came direct, and as he will
wait to go with a troop ship to Cuba, 1t
will take considerable time for him to reach
the United States The Spanish legation
will be under the direction of charge
d'affaires after the 10th or 10Th proximo.
1t is said. however, that no significance will
attach to these conditions as they are
necessary under the circumstances, al
though 1t comes at an unfortunate time,
when grave questions are pending between
the United States and Spain.
Condition of the Revolt.
The Spanish legation denies the Florida
reports that an expedition of IA, 600 revolu-
tionists is about to leave Florida for Cuba
1t is said, however, that actual enlistments
are now being made in New Orleans. From
the Spanish standpoint the inslrrection has
been recognized as existing, and reports
concerning it have been made to the State
Department. But the Spanish government,
1t is declared, does not intend to carry this
recognition to the point of Droclaiming a
rebellion to be in existence, this would
be step toward recognizing the insurgent
cause for Cubas independence. 1t is claim
ed, Also that the State Department has in
effect recognized the existence of the in
surrection, as it has invoked the operation
of the protocol of the Spanish treaty, which
protects American citizens in Cuba charg-
ed with sedition, treason or conspiracy
against trial by martial law.
Z is r11n ho Cl,h
lists have made indirect efforts to have the
United States recognize them under the
laws of nations as belligerents. The report
revolutionary sympathzer is now i'll WASH
iDgton. and cne Of the most noted leaders
Of the revolt Is said to have been here not
long ago. 1t Is not known, however, that
they have done more than urge the justice
of their cause on Senators and Representa-
present prospect Of the grant of any such
recognition.
What Naval Officers Say.
Naval officers do not attach much sig
nificance to the detachment of the COM
as several European countries, notably
to appease an offended neighbor and after
ward reward the officer with a more i'm
portant assignment. In doing this they
disavow his act and subsequently advance
him for it. AS one officer put it: at is
cheap sop to an insulted nation, and in a
case like that of the Alliance helps rather
than hurts the officer who is apparently
disciplined and who undoubtedly acted in
strict accord with the real wishes of his
government in the absence, however, Of
specific Instructions"