The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-13
BY THE PRESENCE OF THE NO
TORIOUs LAURADA OFF VAL
ENCIA HARBOR.
STEAMER MAY NOT LAND.
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE Gu
BAN FILIBUSTER EXPECTED IF
SHE. TOUCHES SHORE.
Attempt to Provokeia Clash Between
the United States and Spain the
Motive Alleged.

MADRID, Dec. H.zIt now transpires
that the semi-officiai statement pub
lished by the government organ. Ell I'm
parcial, on Dec. g, that the American
Cuban f1libuster steamer Laurada. re-
Gently loaded at Messina, Italy. would
not touch at Valencia. Spain, but that
her cargo was intended for Valencia
Venezuela, was made with the view
OF canning any excitement which might
have been aroused in Spain upon the
subject.
The circulation Of the report that the
Laurada,s cargo was intended for Ven
ezue2a ana not Spain had an additional
ooJect IN view. Beside calming the feel
ing at Valencia by the announcement
that the noted flibustering steamer
was to put into that port, the state
ment regarding the shipment of the
cargo to Venezuela was planned for
the purpose Of giving the Laurada neo-
pie an opportunity to reconsider their
determination to put in to the Spanish
port OF Valencia, the report having
been widely circulated that the Tan
rada was to be taken to Spanish norts
with the object of provoking demon
strat1on and bringing about trouhle he
tween the United States and Spain Tn
the meanwhile, it is understood. efforts
were made to persuade the I.aurad
people from carrying out their project
OF landing at Valencia, Spain.
Inc United States consular agent Of
C1rao, Tour miles from Valencia Tbeo-
dGre Mertens, telegraphed to Harris
1dylor3 the United States minister
Eere, ASKING for instructions and warn
ing him of tho
ing at Valencia. He said the mort an
thontles had decided, if the Laurada
arrived, not to allow her alongside the
quays, SO as to prevent the possibility
or any attack upon her In addition
the local authorities, at Valencia took
steps TO energeticalfy suppress any
antl-Laurada manifestations. In snita
OF the representations made to those
interested in the eLaurada and her
cargo, she appeared off Valencia on
Friday, and today continued maneuyer-
ing about the coast Her captain WAS
apparently. undecided whether to enter
the harbor or not. In the meanwhile.
II Is further stated, Mr. Taylor cabled
to Washington for Instructions.
Dispatches from Valencia today an
ncunce that the. merchants and shin
owners Of that place, including the for
elgners, had resolved not to assist
in d1scharging the cargo of the Lau-
A1Uo. Inc newspapers there and In
this city have expressed the opinion
that the voyage of the Laurada to
Spain was deliberately undertaken with
view of provoking a clash between
the United States and Spain.
Senior F. Cos-Gayon, minister of the
interior. In an Interview, SAYS, that as
the papers of the. Eaurada are in order
the officials at Valencia could not pre-.
vent her from entering that port even
If they should make the attempt The
consignee, however having stated that
she had no cargo for him, it is not
likely that she will enter Valencia har-
bor
1t Is reported here that the United
States government has Instructed
Theodore Mertens the United States
consular agent at Grao, four miles
from Valencia to advise the captain
of the Laurada not to attempt to en-
ter the port. If the captain of the
Laurada insists upon entering the Far-
Dor, he must take the responsibility.
1t is now stated at Valencia that the
mysterious steamer which had been
lowering off the coast during the last
twenty-four hours is not the Laurada
and that the Laurada is not expected
to arrive at Valencia until Monday.