The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-15
The FIRING ON THE ALLIANCTA
Not Likely That tho Matter WIN Cause
International CnmnIicaIfnns

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Washington City. March 1.-THE de-
parffnent OF state ~ moving with eielih-
Grafton in making up it's case against the
spanish government based on the firing
by Spanish cruiser at the American
steamer Aiiiancia. believing that in mat
ters OF such moment IL is absolutely es-
sential that our government should he in
possession OF the exact facts SO as TO
avoid the humiliation Of retrasstion
through making a demand that cannot
be sustained By evidence. So far M re-
Ply has been received at the department
IN response 20 the request made lapon
Capt crossman. Of the Ailiancia. for FUR
ther particulars OF the incident, In the
meantime the officials are indGstriensIy
looking up rTecedents for their guidance.
and Mr. Uhf who Ia stiil acting sascre-
tary OF state, during the continued Illness
Of Secretary Gresham. is In frequent
consultation with his superior st his
rooms In his hotel.
One or the precedents which has been
unearthed ard brought to the Alteration
of the acting secretary as having dl-
rect bearing on the Ailiancia incident
WAS found In the proceedings OF the
Alabama claims commission. In one OF
tho decisions announced by Judge Fitch.
the court held there was no authority for
the sfoppaEe or detention of mail
steamer which is pursuing her usual
route. even X that route lay at places
within the three-Enile shore limit. ami so
within the marine jurisdiction of the
power seeking 20 stop the ship. II this
is held TO be sound doctrine. then. OF
course, the Spanish government will make
reparataon for the action of Its cruiser,
even should II appear that the Aliiaaeia
was within three miles of Cape Maysi, as
the Spanish minister here believes. On
the other hand. IL this decision is not
In effect. then what Is known as the
''beadiand theory of jurisdiction viii
probably play an important part i'm the
adjustment OF the matter. According to
the contention OF Great Britain In the
Fortune bay fisheries case. In which the
United States has acquiesced. the line of
marine Jurisdiction is drawn three miles
from a line running across from htad-
land TO headland. In the case OF a hay or
a depression in the general coast line.
The Spanish authorities evidently take
the position at this time. In TIE ahsenee
of exact asivices. that the Aiiiancia was
within such a lire and 20 within their
jurisdiction. although the ship may have
been actually more than three miles from
the nearest shore.
probShiy hased an the Alabama decision
above referred 20, a rumor was In cfrc,ila-
ton today TO the effect that the state de-
partmens has sent a sinister warning To
a declaration of war would follow repc-
tition OF the AlIiancia affair
Acting Secretary uhl this afternoon said
he had no further information To give to
the press than he had already given cut.
and. taking their cue from him. the other
officials of the state department declined
TO say anything about the matter. But
from the fact that no intimation OF any
such precipitate action. In the absence of
a knowledg. OF the fscis. has been ceTn-
municated TO the Spanish minister here.
which would certainly be the case II usual
diplomatic amenities were observed. e.en
IL such a message had been sent 70 the
Spanish government directly through
United States Minister Taylor at Madrid.
the story failed 10 find much credence.
Senor Muraxa. the Spanish minister,
has not as yet received word from Ctiha
as 10 the gunboat which fired on the AL
iiancia. nor does he know the name of
the warship. The delay Is due TO the fact
that the gvinhoat is cruising OF the east
ern coast of Cuba, 400 miles from Havana