The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-20
Cuban War May Lead to Inter.
national Trouble
SHOTS AT THE ALLIANCE
Captain Crossman, Who Refused to Stop
for the Cubans
The Spanish Man-of.War Unloaded Hard Shot
a. at the American rlail Vessel. but
Didn't Catch Her

This fact became public when the captain
OF the cruiser reported that he had tried
to stop a strange steamer and had opened
fire on her when she persisted in proceed
ing on her course. According to the story
of the Conde de Venadito's commander,
while cruising off the eastern coast of
Cuba on March sth, he sighted steamer
heading for Maysia point and shaping her
course to the northeast. The cruiser hoist
ed q flag and the ste amer replied by rais-
ing the English flag. The cruiser again
signaled the steamer to stop but without
effect. As the steamer proceeded at full
speed the cruiser first fred two blank
shots and then two solid shots. The
commander claims that he did not desire
to hit the steamer but that he fired the
shots merely to cause her to heave to.
He asserts that the steamer was one and
q half miles off the coast when the firing
occurred.
Th e authorities have ordered a full in
ouiry to be made into the commanders
acts. 1t is reported that the Allanca car
ried 1000 rifles sonth on the trip on which
she was fired at. 1t is also reported here
that there were landed on the eastern end
OF the island some men who were passen-
gers on Cne AllianCd. lneSe men, IL Is
reported we're taken off the Alliance in a
fishing smack the night preceding the
firing.
The Infanta Isabel is an exact counter
part of the Conde de Venadito, which is
named as the vessel which fired upon the
Allanca. The Venadito is an iron bark
rigged gunboat of comparatively modern
design, having been launched in 1888.
She is one of six laid down on the same
plan at the same time. Her length is 2l0
feet, beam 81 feet, draft 12.5 feet; dis
placement 1880 tons; speed IA knots. Her
ing rifles, two three-pounders and seven
machine guns She has two torpedo
tubes. The gun with which the Conde de
Venadito fired at the Allianca, was the
forward one OF the 472-inch guns on the
port side. Not having an absolutely
straight head fire, the Spanish cruiser
was obliged to yaw out OF her course in
order to bling a gun to bear. The gun is
14& feet long. 1t throws an armor- -pierc-
ing projectile weighing 81 pounds. but
the. firing at the Allianca undoubtedly
,lptd the common cast-iron SHE'LL weigh
, ifff47.2 pounds The charge Of powder is
pounds and the velocity given is 1898
3Aet second as the shell leaves the muz- |
zle. The velocity would of, course, di-
minish with the projectile's flight. but If |
gone into her and exploded. the bursting |
charge Of the common shell being about |
~ pounds Of powder, which would have |
wrecked good deal OF material.
A report has been received from San
tiago of an attack on the insurgents made |
Spanish troops in the detachment, and
they met the band of 800 insurgents in
trenched in Canto del Cristo. Captain
Ganich, It is reported, asked the insurg- ,
ents to disperse, and they did so. They
made another stand later. however, and
ns,,n 10 oh II, bon =
tackled them. There was short engage
ment, but the reports are that the insurg- |
ents soon fled, leaving five dead and
wounded on the field. All Of their sup
plies were also captured. The Spaniards
lost but one man, guide sergeant kill
ed. They also lost some horses. Senior |
Ferrer captured on. Saturday. a large |
quantity OF ammunition from the insurg-
ent band led by the bandit Mater.
Santiago, Cuba. March 19.-Rumors are |
In circulation OF prolonged fight near
killed on both sides. Darkness put an
end to the fight. Both parties then re-
tired.
It is said that the Spanish Government
will leave 2O00 Of their troops sent from
Spain in Porto Rico and bring soldiers
from Porto Rico to Santiago. as they are
better acclimated. Many of the wounded
Spanish soldiers are in the hospital here
New York. March ia cable dispatch
from Havana is to the effect that the COM
mander of the Spanish cruiser Conde de
or on March 9Th off Cape May. after signal
ing her, and was replied to by hoisting the
British flag, has brought forth affidavits
from Captain Crossman of the Alliance
and his officers that the American and not
the British ensign was flying from the
Alliance carried rifles on her south h-bound
trip was also emphatically denied by rep
re. enattives OF the Panama Railroad
Philadelphia. March l9.-The Earn Line
steamship Earnwood arrived today at
also flies the British flag and was in no
way. molested by Spanish authorities.
While on the outbound passage, when |
eight miles east OF Guantonamo. on March |
10.she was hailed by the Spanish torpedo
catcher Neuva Espana, but hove to, saluted |
and passed on about her business.
A large number Of troops from Spain |
were expected to arrive at st. Jago shortly |
after the Earnwood left. and the general |
belief In st.. Jago Is that the insurrection |
will be prolonged for some time. but will |
not be crowned with success. The au-
thorities we've alarmed and are keeping a |
sharp outlook for two leaders who were |
said to be en- route from San Domingo.
Just before we left" said Captain
Rogers. "the Spanish troops captured
DOub cCuublIilhS Two OeTIuduS, VINO are '
held on the suspicion of having landed |
leaders:oi the insurrection on the Cuban
shores. St. Jago Is how under martial |
law, the civil authorities having handed |
over thc reins to the Government"
Colon. Colombia, March 19..-Letters |
which have been found upon the rebels |
who were captured at the time Of the re-
cent attack Upon Bocas del Toro, disclose
the fact that certain high officials in Mic |
aragun contributed funds and arms to the |
rebels who wero engaged in the attack |
upon the place, and it is also believed |
that another attack upon Bocas del Toro
il contemplated.
The only high official OF Nicaragua
whose name approaches that of the per-
son above mentioned as having supplied
the, rebels with arms and money is Gen.
eral CaDesas, whose office is that OF in
spect0r Uf the Atlantic Coast of Nicar-
aqua.
! Washington, March 19-Senator Nor
gan Of Alabama, chairman Of the Senate
Foreign Relations committee, has re-