Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-10-22
WERE ON THE BRINK OF WAR
Spain and This Country in n
Threatening Attitude.
WAS CAUSED BY THE VIGlLANCIA
Havana Intensely Excited For
Three Hours.
The Situation Relieved by the Spanish Au-
thorities Ignominiousiy Backing Down
and Permitting the Vessel to Proceed TO
Sea-Weyler Said to be Furious.

New Orleans, La. Oct. 20. "A Times
Democrat special from Key West, Fla,
says: M
If the Spanish authorities had taken
Senor Angel Fernandez off the Ward
line steamer Vigilancia while that
vessel was in the Havana harbor, last
Friday, United States warships would
have Immediately been ordered to
Havana to enforce demand for repara-
tion, and war between this country and
Spain would undoubtedly have re-
suited. For three hours the United
States and Spain were on the brink OF
war and the threatening situation was
only relieved when the Spanish authori-
ties ignominiously backed down and
allowed the Vigilancia to proceed to sea
with Fernandez still on board.
A letter from a correspondent in
Havana, who is close to Consul General
Lee, gives dramatic account of the
episode. According to the letter, when
the Vigilancia put into Havana tho
Spanish authorities demanded the sur
render of Senior Angel Fernandez.
Mexican, on board the vessel. The
Spaniards alleged that Fernandez was
not a Mexican, but subject of Spain.
Capt. John Mcintosh of the Vigilancia
refused TO surrender Fernandez. Then
the Spanish authorities told Mcintosh
that if the Vigilancia attempted to 60
to sea with Fernandez on board she
would be sunk by the guns of Moro
Castle. Capt. McInotsh Immediately
laid the matter before Consul General
Lee, who complimented him ON his
bravery and told him to take the
Vigiancia to sea when he pleased.
Consul General Lee was greatly en-
ragged at the threat TO sink the Vigil
lancia and is reported to have said to
Capt. Mcintosh: "If the guns of Moro
Castle sink your ship American wars
ships will be bombarding Havana in a
few days.
Capt. Mcintosh returned to the, Vigil,
lancia and Consul General Lee in
formed Weyler that the vessel was
was made to take off Fernandez or that
take the consequences. Weyler inn
mediately summoned a cabinet council
and while it was considering the matter
the Vigiancia began to weigh anchor.
The Spanish officials on board pro.
tested, but Capt. Mcintosh said in
vigorous language, the letter states:
"D-n your objections; my ship has
been cleared. MY consul has told me
to go TO sea. am going and l Care 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 Vigiancia, fly
ing the Stars and Stripes, started for
the mouth of the harbor. which ia com
manded by the guns of Moro Cattle.
All was excitement in Havana and tho
quay and housetops we're lined with
hundreds Of persons, who expected to
see the Vigilancia fred upon.
Consul Lee watched the Vigilancia
through glass. Meanwhile signals
were exchanged between Welyer's pal
ace and Moro Castle, and in the latter
place there were signs of great excite
ment. Slowly the Vigilaneia entered
the mouth of the harbor and then 1t
was noticed that the guns of Moro
Castle were turned on the ship. The
Vigilancia repeatedly signalled Moro
Castle: II 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 "Good- bye. -
1t is said that Weyler is furious
over the departure of the vessel and
Consul General Lee's course. 1t is
also stated that Weyler ordered the
commapdant of Moro to sink the Eiei-
lanca hut that at the last moment be
yielded TO the entreaties of HE cabinet
and countermanded the order. The
episode caused more excitement in
Havana than anything since the be-
ginning of the war.