The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-20
GEN. WEYLER DEFIED
OUT OF HAVANA HARBOR.
Attempt 10 Take "A Mexican Citizen OF
the American steamer Nigiian-
cha Boldly Resisted.
VERY WARLIKE INCIDENT
~ WHICH CoNSUL-GENEEAL FITZ-
HUGH LEE PARTICIPATED.
Guns of Morro Castle Trained IN the
Vessel, but Not Fired, as Geuerai
WcyIer Threatened.

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 19.-The Times
Democrats Key West special says: IF the
Spanish authorities had taken Senior An
gel Fernandez off the Ward line steamer
Vigilancia while that vessel was in 1ia-
vana harbor last Friday, United States war
ships would hav,, Immediately been ordered
to Havana to enforce a demand for rep
~aration, and war between this country and
Spain would have undoubtedly resulted.
For five hours last Friday the United
States and Spain were on the brink of
war, and the threatening situation was
only relieved when the Spanish authorities
ANONYMOUSLY backed down ana allowed
the Visilancia to proceed TO sea with Fer
nandez still on board.
a letter received here from a correspond
ent in Havana who is close to Consul-gen-
eral Lee, gives a dramatic account of the
episode. According to the letter, when the
vigilancia put into Havana the Spanish au>
thorities demanded the surrender of Senior
Angel Fernandez, a Mexican on board the
vessel. The Spaniards alleged that Fer
nandez was not a Mexican, but a subject
OF Spain. Captain John Mcintosh, of the
Eigilancia, refused to surrender Fernandez.
Then the Spanish authorities told McIn-
tosh that if the Nigilancia attempted to
go to sea with Fernandez oil board she
would be sunk by the guns Of Moro cas-
tie. Captain Mcintosh Immediately laid
the matter before Consul-general Lee, who
coInplimented the Captain O.. his bravery
and told him to take the Vlgila1i"ia to sea
when he pleased. Consul Lee was greatly
enraged at the threat to sink the Vigilan-
cia and is reported to have said to Cap
t3in Mcintosh: IF the guns OF MORO Cas-
tie sink your ship American war ships Will
be bombarding Havana in a few days"
Captain Mcintosh returned to the Vigil
amelia and Consul Lee Informed Weyler
that the vessel was going to sea, and that
ii any attempt was made to take off Fer
nandez or that if the vessel was fired upon
Spain must take the consequences. Weyler
Immediately summoned a cabinet council,
and while this council was considering the
matter the vigilancia began to weigh an
enor. The Spanish officials on board pro-
tested, but Captain Mcintosh said in Wig
orous language, the letter states: Oh
your objections; my ship has been cleared.
My consul has told me to go to sea. | am
going and / dare you to try to prevent me.
Get off my ship" and with that the
Yankee roughly showed the Spaniards into
the waiting boats and the Vigilancia, fly
ing the stars and stripes, started for the
mouth of the harbor, which Is commanded
by the guns of MORO Castle. All was ex-
citcment in Havana and the quays and
housctops were lined with hundreds of per-
SONS. who expected to see the Vigilancia
fired upon. Consul Lee himself watched
the yigilancia through a glass. Meanwhile
signals were being exchanged between
Weyler's palace and MORO Castle, and in
the latter place there were signs OF great
excitement. Slowly the Vigilancia entered
the mouth of the harbor and then it was
noticed that the guns of MORO were turned
on the ship. The Vigilancia repeatedly
signaled Moro Castle: Il am going to
sea- but no answer came from the fort
until the vessel was In blue water. and
then the Spaniards ran up the signal
which means goodbye"
1t is said that Weyler is furious over the
departure of the vessel and Consul Lees
course. 1t Is stated Weyler ordered the
commandment of MORO to sink the Wig
ilancia, but that at the last moment ne
yielded to the entredties of his cabinet ana
counternanded the order The episode
caused more excitement in Havana than
ANYTHING since the beginning of the war.