Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-13
THE ALLIANCA AFFAIR.
Spain May Be Called Upon to
 Make an Explanation.
SOLID SHOT FIRED AT OUR FLAG

The Yankee Captain Was Not Stopped by
 the Cannon Balls, but Put on Steam and
 Ran Away From the Spanish Cruiser.
 Taken For a Blockade Runner.
 NEW YORK, March 13-The American mail steamship Allianca, from Colon, fly ing the United States flag, was flrcd upon by a Spanish gunboat on the high seas of the east end of Cuba on the morning of March s. Tho Allianca was not struck, though the Spaniard tried throe times with solid shot, yawing to take deliberate aim. The American steamer kept on her way, chased for fully 25 miles by the gunboat, which was gradually dropping astern.
 The identity of the Spanish gunboat has not been fixed. She was about as largo as tho Yorktown and painted black-the col or showing that she was not long in the tropics. Her bottom was clean, which is another circumstance showing she had only recently been ordered to service in patrOlling the Cuban coast.
 Protest Sent to Secretary Gresham.
 As soon as the Allianca reached this port the captain sent this report to the sec- rotary of state:
 "To the Hon. Walter O. Gresham:
 Tho American mail steamship Allian- ca, under my command, while on her homeward bound voyage from Colon, Re public of Colombia, to New York, was, on the morning of March s, fired on off the east end of Cuba.
 steamer was sighted under the land bear. ing directly for us At 7:15 she set her colors, proving to be a Spanish gunboat
 II immediately ordered the American ensign to bo hoistod on the Alliance and saluted tho Spaniard, which salute was duly returned by her. I then saluted once more and supposed the matter was at an end.
 But about five minutes later the Span lard fired a blank cartridge and a few moments later another one, followed shortly afterward by three solid shots, all of which fell short of the Allianca, but showing conclusively that the Spaniard was firing at us 1. being full six miles of shore and on the high soas, paid no further attention to the Spaniard, but kept to my course. The Spaniard kept up the chase, although gradually stopping astern fully 20 miles.
 II desire to know If the Spaniard had any right to fro on my ship, with the probable chance of cndangering the lives of the passcngors and crew under my charge, or compel me to hcave to, as he probably intended
 II respectfully ask for information on that subject, as did not and do not pro pose to hoave to. thereby losing time on my voyages. to oblige Spanish gunboats or any others except in cases of distress. Respectfully, J. A. CRossMAN,
 Commander.
 Captain CrOssman a Fighter.
 The Allianca carried a crow of 60 men and four passengers. the passengers all second class-M. Cardoza. W. NJ. Grad dick, s. c. Googins and Count +. Hob- kirk. CardOza and Craddick were stow aways from San Francisco to the isthmus, the former going from New York to New Bedford, thero to join n whaling crew, and the latter going from hero back to San Francisco.
 That tho object was not merely to warn tho Allianca to keep away from shore is shown by the gunboat's firing solid shot, taking deliberate aim, and by the subse- quent 25 mile chase at top speed.
 Tho Spaniard expected tho Allianca to stop, and suspected, it seems evident, that she carried men either from Jamaica or Haiti or arms for the revOlutionists
 Tho AllianCa is of the Colombian line, which was established two years ago and operated since by the Panama Railroad company, of which General John Newton of this city Is president She is owned by tho Standard Oil company. being leased to the Panama Railroad company.
 Captain CrOsSman will Do remembered as the commander of the America, oriHi- nally tho Britannia, which accompanied the dynamite cruiser Nictheroy, these bo- ing two of the three ships bought and fitted out here by Flint & Co, agents of the Brazilian government for service dur ing the Da Gama rebellion. The captain fell from the bridge and broke his log on the way to Brazil and came back home, being incapacitatcd for active service He was born in Hudson, N. Y, 66 years ago and has been a seaman 36 years He serv- ed in the United States navy during the war. His home is in Jersey City.
 What Is Said In Washington.