The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-03-21
THE ALuANC|A CONTROVERSY
THE QUESTION IS DISCUSSED IN
THE SPANISH CHAMBER
/, OF DEPUTIES.
ACTIVITY AT THE BROOKLYN
NAVY YARD.
Preparations Being Made to Respond to
Orders From Washington-The AL
liancia's Captain Indignant at
the Spanish Minister'S
Statement

tons in the chamber of deputies, Senior
Allegrondro Groisard, minister of state,
said that the report that Minister Taylor,
on behalf of the United States, had de-
clared that reparation from Spain was
due the United States on account of the
Alliancia, he said was true. He hoped
the affair would be amicably settled. The
United States government, he explained,
considered the firing on the Alliancia to
be a violation of the principles of inter
national affairs. Minister Groisard said
the Spanish government had ordered the
fullest investigation of the affair to be
made. The government was willing to
agree to any settlement provided the
principles of international law were not
infringed upon and that no attempt was
made to prejudice the dignity of the
nation.
Washington, March 16.-Secretary
Gresham was at the state department
this morning for a short time, but Mr..
Uhl, the first assistant secretary, is still
in charge as acting secretary. In answer
to an inquiry he said that no response had
yet been received from United States
Minister Taylor at Madrid concerning the
demand made by the state department
for PREPARATION for the firing upon the
Alliancia. The Alabama claims decis-
ion, upon which this demand was based,
is coming in for good deal of discussion
here, and the diplomatic corps are by no
means unit in giving it their adherence
One official contends that there never has
been practical application of the doc
trlne since it was enunciated, and urges
that the United States itself is the last
power that can afford to surrender its
claim to jurisdiction, extending even to
the right of OBTAINING and searching sus-
plcious vessels within the waters lying
three miles from our coasts. Should
this position be taken, however, it is al
legged that it would be practically impos-
slble to prevent wholesale smuggling and
violation of our revenue laws at every
turn. The same doctrine, if extended to
6ehrlng sea, would throw open the seal
fisheries to the vessels of all nations
other than Great Britain, which would
be stopped only by this specific treaty.
Senior Nicaragua, the Spanish minister.
is calmly a"ailng developments, but
up to noon t,dav h had Lot heard from
the state department or from Spain con-
corning the Alliacia affair. 1t was re- |
ported that the minister had been at the
state department during the morning,
but this was not the case, and as Secre.
sary Gresham is dealing directly with the
spanish officials at Madrid, Senior Ma
ragua feels that he will have no occasion |
10 communicate with the department I'M |
less Mr.. Gresham sends for him. The |
"a said today that he hoped that |
lne excitement over the affair would not |
prevent temperate, good natured consid- |
GRAFTON of the case. He has been franz |
and outspoken concerning it, but does
not want this to be mistaken for Irritation |
DE- lack OF every diplomatic courtesy TO |
the authorities here.
at the very outset" said the minister
Il sought Mr.. Uhl, the acting secretary
and assured him that if the facts dis
closed that the Spanish boat was in the
wrong then an apology would be made md
my only desire has been to have official
acuon based on established facts"
ACTIVITY IN NAVAL CIRCLES
Brooklyn, March 16.-The utmost in.
crest was expressed by officers at the
6roklyn navy yard today in Secretary
jresham's demand upon Spain to ex-
'lain the firing on the Alliancia. Prepa-
atoms are being made to respond to any
'rders mat may come from Washington to
eady for sea in case they are wanted. II
3 the general opinion, however, among
he officers at Brooklyn that if any yes.
els are called upon to control the Cuban
cast they will be taken from Admiral
Mead's squadron, now in the East Indies.
The Maine is about the only warship now
It the navy yard which could be made
eady for sea in short time. The battle
hips Puritan and Terror are still in
curse of construction. The Vesuvius left /
|ereicts in tho Sound ~ r