Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-10-22
A CRITICAL TINE.
The Vigilancia Incident Almost
Caused a War.
The PHILIPPINE ISLANDS REVOLT.


New ORLEANS Oct. 20-The Times
Democrats Key West special says: II
the Spanish authorities had taken
Senior Angel Fernandez Of the Ward
line steamer, Vigilancia, while that
vessel was in Havana harbor last FRI
day, United States warships would
have Immediately been ordered to ha-
vsna to enforce demand for rrpara'
ton, and war between this country
and Spain would have undoubtedly re-
suited. For three 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 and allowed the Vlgilan-
cin to proceed TO sea with Fernandez
still on boar-l.
A letter received here from q corrc-
spondent In Havana, who Is close TO
Consul General Lee, gives dramatic
account of the episode According to
the letter. when the Vigilancla put
into Havana the Spanish authorities
demanded the surrender OF senior
Angel Fernandez, Mexican on board
the vessel. The Spanards allie ed
that Fernandez was not a Mexican, but
q subject Of Spain, Capt John Mcln-
tosh, Of the Vigilanca, refused to SUR
render Fernandez Then the Spanish
authorities told Mcintosh that II the
Vigilancia attempted TO 90 to sea with
Fernandez on board she would be sunk
by the guns OF Moro castle Capt Nc
Intosh Immediately lnid the matter be-
fore Consul-General Lee, who told him
to take The Vigiancia to sea when he
pleased. Consul Lee was greatly en-
ragged at the threat to sink the Vigilan-
ella, and is reported to have said to
Capt. Mcintosh; III the guns OF MORO
castle sink our ship, American war
ships will be bombarding Havana in a
few DAYS" Capt. Mcintosh returned
to the Vivilancia and Consul Lee in
formed Weyler that the vessel was 60
ing to sea, and that II any attempt was
made to take off Fernandez, or II the
vessel was fred upon, Spain must take
the consequences. Weyler immediate
Nv summoned cabinet council, and
while this council was considering the
matter the vigilancia began to weigh
anchor. The Spanish officials on board
protested, but Capt. Mcintosh spoke In
vigorous language, the letter states.
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS REVOLT.
SAN Francisco, Oct 20-Advices by
Che steamer Peru from Singapore and
Hong Kong, up to September y, state
that the rebellion In the Philippine
islands Is much more serious than has
been generally recognized 1t Is said
that the reports Of revolutionist de-
ieats sent out by Spanish officers
have been greatly exaggerated, and
that so far the rebels have more than
held their own In the struggle for in
dependence. II Is stated that the rev.
olution Is now beyond the control OF
the Spanish authorities, and that un-
less reinforcements are sent to Manila
Immediately, the Spanish forces are In
danger OF final defeat The officers are
afraid to take native regiments into
the interior because their loyalty is
doubted. The Hong Kong Press says
editorially that there Is no longer
room for the least doubt that affairs in
the Philippine islands will in short
time assume the proportions OF the
Cuban rebellion. The natives are de-
termined. As each rebel signs an
agreement, he writes his name on his
arm with blood and swears vengeance
against the Spaniards
MEXICAN INTERVENTION IN CUBA,
CRY OF MEXICO, Oct 30 Ell Mundo
Yesterday had Nm article, on the pro-
posed intervention or Mexico ana the
United States In the conflict between
Spain and Cuba, which says in sub
stance that Mexico regards the United
States as a firm and loyal friend, with
whom the social and commercial rela-
tlons are growing daily more intimate,
and II the United States should suggest
officially to Mexico the desirability of
Joint Intervention, President Diaz
would accept with pleasure beinc GER
tain Of the moral support Of all the
Latin-American republics, but Mexico
could only accept the part of joint
pacifcator In case the Spanish nation
should insist In carrying on the war In
her sovereign right to the bitter end,
or the Cuoan people, fighting desper-
ately for liberty should not show dis
trust; in other word, both parties to
the conflict should accept Intervention.
Nobody here knows how the sympa-
thies of Gen, Duz are in this great con-
Nict, as he has observed most decor
Gus conduct lie has profound sym
patty for Spain, and at the same time
recalls his own struggle for the liberty
Of his peop G. The Mexican people
would gladly have the name of Mexico
figure in universal liberty.