Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-05
INTERESTING COMPLICATIONS.
Suppose the Laurnda Enters n
Spanish Port-Then what.

WASHINGTON, ID. e, December r.
Interesting international complications
are expected il the American steamship
Laurada enters the port Of Valencia,
Spain. a despatch from Philadelphia last
night stated that this vessel, which
will be remembered as having carried
several hlibusterng expeditions to Cuba
last summer, Is now loading with fruit
at Messina, Italy, and that her char
terers have ordered her captain to pro-
ceed TO Valencia TO complete cargo
While no information is obtainable at
the State Department regarding the ac-
tion that the Spanish authorities may
take, IL is believed TO be extremely pro-
bable that both the Laurada and her
captain will be arrested II the vessel
enters epanlsh waters. distinguished
official OF the government. who yolun-
'eered this suggestion to-day. made
more clear the situation by asking the
Southern Associated Press reporter what
action would have been taken by
the United States II the Confederate
cruiser Alabama had. after destroying
number OF American vessels. steamed
into the harbor of New York. 'Would
she not have been detained, and would
not the infuriated populace have burned
her at once 10 the waters edge? Is 1t
not reasonable TO suppose, therefore.
that the Spanish authorities would at
least seize the Laurada. even though no
indignity were offered herself or her
crew."
II Is asserted in other quarters that
the I,aurada was sent out OF American
waters some time ago to avoid the pos
sibiity OF being libeled by the United
States Government for her connection
with Cuban flibustering. II IS even
hnted that her orders TO proceed to
Valencia are in pursuance or delibe-
rate purpose to bring about a rupture be-
tween the United States and Spain. The
strained relations between the people OF
the two countries would result, II Is
feared i'm undue Importance being given
70 such a proceeding. and the hope Is.
therefore. expressed that the vessel Will
not be ordered to enter a Spanish port.
VESSEL. WILL BE SEIZED.
PHILADELPHIA. PA. December A.
II is said that Secretary y-of-State olney
has cabled to Madrid the facts In re-
gard TO the steamship Laurada, but tne
vesseI II Is reported here will be seized
ON a civil process by the Spanish Gov
ernment when she reaches Valencia. and
suit will he brought for forfeiture
against her because Of having landed
armed military expeditions, dynamite,
and war material within three miles or
the coast of Cuba, in the jurisdiction Of
Spain.
CAPTAIN Hughes left the vessel at Mes
sina tonight and was succeeded In
command by Captain Lapsley. his chief
officer. who was formerly master of the
British steamship Czarina. The latter
has never been mixed up with nlbuster-
ing expeditions.
Ii is likely that the vessel VIII remain
al Nessina until the Department Of state
decides 1t Is safe for her 10 proceed.
The charterers OF the vessel demand that
she shall proceed according TO the terms
Of her charter, as the cargo, which Is
of a perlshabe character. Is awaiting
her al Valencia, and will seize her II
she does not comply with the agreement
on her return to the United States.
The. Spanish warship Hernandez left
Gibraltar tonight 20 assist the authori-
ties in preserving order in Valencia. so
hitter is said 10 be the feeling already
worked up against the Laurada.