The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-10-21
Weyler Backs Down:
Fltz Lee Dared Him to Fire
on the Stars and Stripes.

KEY VEST, FLA, Oct l9.-lf the
Spanish authorities had taken Senor Ao-
gel Fernandez off the Ward lice steam
er Vigilapcia while that vessel vas in
Habans barbor last Friday. United
States warships would have immediate
ly been ordered to Havana to enfoce
demand for reparatioO aud war between
this country and Spain would have uo.
doubtedly resulted. For three hours
last Friday the Usited States and Spain
we're on the briok of war and the
threatsuisg sitaasion .was,oDiy relieved
xheD the Spanish authorities igoomi-
niously backed down sud ordered the
Vigilancia to proceed to sea With Fer
nandes stili-s on bcSsd.-AA a letter re-.
ceived here from correspondence 10 Ha.
vana swbosis close to Consul General
Lee gives = dramatic account of The
episode. According to the letter, when
the Vigilsncia pot Into Havana the
Spanish authorities demanded the sur.
resder of Senor Angel Feroandes, a
Mexican on board the vessel
The spsoiards allege that Fernando
vas not :.Mexicas, bat subject of
Spain. Csptaiu John Mcintosh Of the
Vieilancia refused to surrender Feruao.
deg. Then the Spanish authorities told
McIntosb that, if the VigilaDcia at
tempted to go to sea with Feroandez on
board, she would be sunk BY the gaos
Of Moro Castle Captain Mclstosb
Immediately laid che matter before
Coosul General Lee. who complimeoted
the Captain on bic bravery ADD told
him to take the Vigilancialto sea when
be pleased.
Consul General L;e was greatly en-
ragged at the ,heeat 10 sink tbe Vigi-
lancia and is reported to have said to
Captain Mcintosh !: "If the guns of
MORO Castle sink your ship. American
warsbips will be bombarding Havana
in few days"
Captain Mcintosh returned to the
Vigilancia aud Consul Lee Informed
Weyles that the vessel was goiog to sea
and that If any attempt vas made to
take of Feroandez5er that if the vesse!
vas fred upon. Spain utast take the
consequences Wcyler Immediately
summoned cabinet council aud while
this council vas considering sbe matter.
the Vigiiancis began to weigh anchor
The Spanish officials on board protest
ed, ba. Captain McIntosh said io,yigot'
ous language, thesfetter states. "D-n
your objections /; my ship has been
cleared Ny Consul has told me to go
to sea. am going.-and. | dare sou to
try to prevent me. Get of my ship !"
And With that the Yankee roughly
showed the Spaniards into the waitins
boats aud the Vigilaacia. flying The
stars and stSipes started for the mouth
of the harbor which is commanded by the
guns OF Moro Castle. All was excite
meut insHavsoa and the quay and
house tops.were lined With hundreds Of
people. who expected to see the Vigi-
iauc:a fred upon. Consul Lee him
self watched the Vigilancia through ?
glass
Meanwhile. Signals were being ez
changed between Weyicr's palace anG
MORO Castle, aud in the latter place
there were sigrs of great excitement.
Slowly the Vig;lancia entered the mouth
of tue harbor aud then 1t was noticed
that the guns Of MORO Castle we're
on the sh The Yig;laocia repeated
ly signalei Moro Castle: 81 am 60
ing to e,a," but 10 answer came from
the fort until the vessel vas in blue
water. and then the Spauiards ran up
ibe sigoal which means Goodbye
I: is said tha. Weyier Is furious over
the departure Of the vessel aud Consul
lees course It is stated Wayler CT
dered the ccumaudant ct Moro TO sink
the Vigilancia, bu, that a. the lass mo
.meo, be yielded to he en'reaties of bis
cabioet aud cauute mand i the order.
The episode caused m"'o excitement in
Havana than anything since he tegin
piog of tbe war.