The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-03-14

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 13-Tho
lettor OF Captain Crossman, Of tho
American steamship Alliauca, was rc.
cocivod n. tho state department in tho
afternoon mail. 1t has already boon
published in full by tho Associated
Press and 80 had como to tho notice OF
tho dcpartmon. unotiicially boioro its
receipt BY mail. Secretary Uhl has al.
ready formed his own conclusion rs TO
tho courae 10 be pursued. Aitor looking
over tho letter carefully, ho wrote Cap
tain Crossmau, asking for more particu.
lars bearing upon the incident. Until
thcsc arc furnished It is not probable
that tho complaint will DO formally
brought TO tho attention OF tho Spanish
government. Tho point upon which
tho state department desires further In
formation from Captain Crossman Is
tho exact location OF tho Alliance whom
she was first signallcd by the Spanish
cruiser and it is probable that tho
whole case may turn on this point
TIE SPANISH MINISTER'S VIEWS.
Senior Nicaragua, the Spanish minister,
called at tho department carly in tho
day, but it did no. appear that ho was
informed touching the matter further
than what ho had soon in tho press 70.
ports, although these had beon quite
sullicient to disquio. him.
When the formidable revolutionary
outbreak Of 1878 was in progress in
Cuba tho Spanish government put forth
every effort to prevent the landing OF
tilibustering parties on tho island, and
in some instances the commanders OF
the little Guarda Costas, probably in
ignorance OF the frat principles OF inter-
national law, were over Jealous in their
interference With American shipping,
and the Spanish government had to pay
for their amusement. There were three
cases OF the kind In that ono year, all
whaling vessels. They were the Ellen
Risepah. the Rising Sun and the Edward
Dee. The first two vessels were over
hauled bv Guarda Costas near tho Cuban
coast the captains were taken from
their ships, which were kept under the
guns OF tho Spanish vessels, and they
were detained three or four days aboard
tho Spanish boats until Spanish naval
vessel came along and passed upon tho
sulEclency OF their papers. - 'Ff -
THE EDWARD LEE MORE FORTUNATE.
The Edward Lee was more fortunate,
for when shc was signalled to lay to, her
captain crowded on sail and escaped
from tho gunboat, although tho Iattor
fired at her. In each case tho owners Of
the American vesaels preferred claims
against Spain for unwarrantable deton-
ton and upon proper representation
OF the cases by United States Minister
Lowell the Spanish government paid
an indemnity OF $4,000 to tho owaers Of
tho Risspah and tho Rising Sun and
sent what amounted to u severe repri-
mand to tho captain general OF Cuba for
tho conduct OF his vessels. But they
strongly objected to paying any indom-
nifty in the case OF the Lee, which was
not overhaulod, although shot at, and
so bears striking resemblance TO the
case OF tho Al!iauca. The Spanish goy-
esnmcnt held that tho vessol had in no
wise suffered. as she was no. boarded or
searched and that tho treaty OF COM
mercc between Spain and the Unitod
States had not been violated in tho sim.
ple demand that tho vessel should cs-
tablish her nationality in quarters fre-
Quen!ed by suspicious craft.
Senor Muraga's visit wa, for the pur-
.s .
Spain from tho information now Mt
hand. The minister teleSraphed for
full particulars TO the governor general
OF Cuba, and in reply received dis
patch thst the cruiser which pre,uma-
bly, figured in the affair had not yet 70.
turnod, having prolonged her watch
along the Cuban coast. Tho captain
general had no particulars OF tho Incl
dent.
guT ONE siDE OF TIE STORY.
Undcr these circumstances Senior
Murag:. fclt that only ono aide Of the
story has yet been told and That the ro-
ctal OF the o.hcr 81 do may present 4
different aspect to tho case. But should
it appear that thero has boon any
olenso or indiscrGtion on tho part OF
tho Spanish warship. Scnor Muracn
says that Spain will speedily make
every apology consistent with tho friend.
shin sho bear. to tho United Sta,os.
This assurance was given to Acting Sec
rctary OF State Uhl, although tho lattcr
had taken no steps as yot to protest
against tho action Of tho Spanish ship.
Taking tho version OF tho affair ns
given by Captain CroHsmau. OF tho Ali
anca, Minister Muraga says it was ap-
parcnt that tho American shin was in
tho jurisdictionnl waters Of Cuba md
not OH tao high seas. Those waters are
measured from the outor keys about
Cuba and no. from tho mainland, this
basis OF measurement being adopted the
world over and specially recognized by
tho United States. AS tho Allanca was
in lnriadictionnl wators OF Cubn, tho
Spnnish cruiser probably mistook the
ship for ono Of tho yachts-Amadiso
Lagondn, and which hnvc
boon suspected OF handling goods for
tho Cuban insurgents.
MISTAKEN FOR Az ISeUEdEET YACHT.
It Is ovidont, the minister says, from
tho firing Of blanl; cartridges. that tho
purpose wns to havc tho merchant ship
stop in order that ehc might be nskcd
~ to who,hor insurgcnt goola woro on
board. Had sho donc ,hi, tho do,cn.
lion, ho believes, would havo been brief
mud formal, mud would not have gonn
beyond simple inquiry as soon US 4,
VIA discovered that tho shin wnq an
| American murchunt stcnmor. But NJ
tho stenmor would not atop, tho minis.
tor ihinku that tho Spanish oAiccra on
tho gunboat Wora further convinced
that tho AllianCl was ono OF tho aus.