Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-13
claims has been formed at Kiel, with a large
membership.
LAIRADA IN SPANISH WATERS.
American Filibustcrinr Vessel Tries
to Enter Valencia Harbor.

LAURADA IN SPANISH WATERS
American FilibustcrinE Vessel Tries
to Enter Valencia Harbor.
MADRID, Dec. l2-It now transpires that
the semi-oiicial statement published by the
government organ, Ell Imparcial on Novem-
bcr 8, that the American Cuban llibusterng
steamer, Laurada, recently 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 calm
ing any excitement which might have been
aroused in Spain upon the subject. The cir
culation of the report that the Laurada's
cargo was intended for Valencia. Venezuela,
and not for Valencia, Spain. had an addi-
tonal object in view. Besides calming the
feelings aroused at Valencia by the an
nouncement that the motel flibustering
steamer was to put in at that port, the
statement regarding the shipment OF the
cargo to Venezuela was planned for the
purpose Of giving the Laurada people an
opportunity to reconsider their determination
to put into the Spanish port Of Valencia
the report having been widely circulated that
the Laurada was to be taken TO Spanish ports
with the object Of provoking a demonstra-
tion and bringing about trouble between the
United States and Spain. In the meanwhile
it is understood efforts were made to per-
suade the Laurada people from carrying out
their project of landing at Valencia, Spain.
The United States consular agent at Greyo,
four miles from Valencia Theodore Mertens,
telegraphed to Mr.. Hannis-Taylor, the United
States minister here, asking for instructions,
and warning him Of the angry feeling pre-
vailing at Valencia. He said the port
authorities had decided IL the Laurada ar
rived not to allow her alongside the quays
SO as TO prevent the possibility OF an attack
upon her. In addition, the local authorities
at Valencia took steps to energetically sup
press any anti-Laurada manifestations. In
spite OF the representations made to those
interested, in the Laurada and her cargo
she appeared off Valencia on Friday, and to-
day continued maneuvering about the coast
Her captain was apparently undecided
whether to enter the harbor or not In the
meanwhile. it is further stated MIR. Taylor
cabled to Washington for instructions. Dis
patches from Valencia today announced the
merchants and shippers of that place, in
Guiding the foreigners, had resolved not to
assist in discharging the cargo OF the Lau-
rada. The newspapers here and in this city
have expressed the opinion that the voyage
of the Laurada to Spain was deliberately
undertaken with view Of provoking clash
between the United States and Spain. Senior
F. Cos-Gayon, minister of the interior, In
an interview, says that az the papers of the
Laurada are in order, the officials at Valen-
cia could not prevent her from entering
that port, even If they should make the
attempt. The consignec, however, having
stated that she had no cargo for him. it is
not likely that she will enter Valencia
harbor.
II is reported here that the United States
government has instructed Mr.. Theodore
Mertens, the United States consular agent at
Grao, to advise the captain Of the Laurada not
to attempt to enter the port at Valencia. If
the captain of the Laurada insists upon en-
tering the harbor, he must take the RESPONSE
bility 1t is now stated at Valencia that the
mysterious steamer which has been lowering
off the coast during the last twenty -four
hours is not the Laurada, and that the Lau-
rada Is not expected to arrive at Valencia
until Monday
WASHINGTON, Dec. l2.-The trouble
dllslHB over lIt ATTEMPTS oi inc american
steamship Laurada to enter the port OF Val
encia, Spain, has been fully communicated
to the authorities here. ScnOr Dupuy de
LONE, the Spanish minister, was at the
State department today and II is understood
his main purpose was to confer with Sec
retary Olney regarding tho Laurada No
announcement has been made OF the atti-
tude of the United States, but there is good
reason for believing that both governments
will act together to prevent sensational de-
velopments. A careful watch has been kept
on the Laurada for many months and 1t is
said her present movement TO a Spanish port
is designed to precipitate an outbreak and
some indgnlty to the American flag, which
she fies. AS an evidence OF this, 1t Is
pointed out that the Laurada has chosen to
80 to the Spanish port which has shown
the most excitement during the present
trouble. 1t was there that student riots
were aroused and an excited mob threw
stones at the American consulate
AS showing the character of the
Laurada's trip, the watch kept upon
her discloses that she went from
Halifax with a cargo Of apples to Swansea,
Wales. and thence to Naples. Messlna and
IdltTho' ltallah ports on the htulleTThhehh'
From Palermo she sailed for Valencia, for
The ostensible purpose OF taking cargo
Of oranges and of coallng. 1t Is asserted,
however that this proposed entry into Val
enola is not made In good faith, as the usual
place OF coalng FOR ships leaving the
Mediterranean is at Gibraltar where the
facilities are ample; also that cargo OF
oranges might have been secured at any OF
the Italian ports where she stopped.