Evening star., 1896-12-26
REPORT OF NAVAL FIGHT DENIED
1t Is Said Mt Havana No Combat Took
Place.


1t IL Said Mt Havana No Combat Took
Place.
A special to the Cincinnati Commercial
Tribune from Key West, dated Yesterday
says: Much comment was made today at
Havana over the reports cabled from New
YORK that the flibuster Three Friends had
been fired on by Spanish cruisers, and that
the steamer had disabled, Spanish gun
boat. This report is positively denied in
official circles, who affirms that nothing of
the kind occurred. but tfiat the story is
made from whole cloth. 1t is admitted
that the steamer landed on the south side
Of the island. but it is alleged that there
was no fighting. tc ii
1t Is Furthermore admitted that only
part OF the cargo was secured by Gomez,
Spanish coast guards haying captured a
good portion. ~ =
The Three ,FrenGs la here living under
the guns of the Raleigh. Capt Lewis re-
fuses to say anything about his trip. save
that he had been after derelicts. AS to the
story of fight, he processes ignorance
None Of the crew can be induced to speak
OF the affair. the vessel does not bear any
marks of conflict, and the report Is doubt
ed here. Havana advices are that Gomez's
advance guard has captured the town OF
Las Passega. in Santa Clara province, TAX
Ing the eEtfre garrison and all their stores
A battalion of fresh troops was sent to
Matanzas this morning from Havana, to be
sent to the front. Great exertions are be-
ing made TO get a strong force to oppose
Gen. Gomez, and three lines are being
formed to get the Cubans entangled in be-
tween them anG crushed.
Inquiries in official quarters in Havana
by the correspondent of the Associated
Press elected a denial of the story publish
ed in the United States that the flibuster
steamer Three Friends fired upon a Span
ish coast guard steamer and Spanish
gunbCat, which attempted to capture it
while running into the San Juan river to
land Its cargo of arms and munitions.
Alleged Warning From Europe.
The London Times Paris correspondent
says: "The Washington government has
been confdentially informed, although in
very friendly terms. that the European
powers would not remain passive should
the United States recognize or encourage
the Cuban insurgents. If my Information is
correct. an intimation has been further
given that Germany Is quite ready, even
Eow, to take Spain's side should the United
States show a disposition officially to side
with the rebels. These warnings originated
In the course of pourparers for Euro
rean coalition against revolutionary So
cialism"
Another Account of MaeeO's Death.
Havana letter to the London Times de-
scribes the death of Maceo as lucky and
unexpected accident for the Spaniards. The
writer says: THE main body of the Spanish
troops continued to advance, ignorant OF
the fact that Maceo had been killed and
unheeding the two dead bodies, whose
clothing had been stripped by the soldiers,
no later handed to the commander the
documents aad letters found on the body,
disclosing their identity.
THE censorship suppressed the news of
President Cleveland's message here for
three days"
Discussing the Report.
dispatch from Key West to the New
York Herald says: As today is a national
holiday nothing has been done by the local
federal authorities in the matter of the
Cuban flibustering steamer Three Friends.
For the same reason. it Is presumed, no
instructions have been received from Wash
ington, ror has any intimation been given
Of what is proposed ITO he done with the
steamer or her captain. The tug remains
tied up at the wharf with a customs officer
aboard, and Captain Reynolds, Of the rev.
enue cutter McLane 8. has been instructed
to keep surveillanceoDv ner to prevent
any attempt to depart. IsConsiderable in
terest 1s being manifested in the probable
action OF the Washington officials In the
matter and the outcome is anxiously await
cd.
The report that theotug exchanged shots
with Spanish naval vessels on the Cuban
NSA0e oaN "AeAIh tAVVJuI u5uiStioh "a Supdu
waters, is freely discussed in the streets,
and while applauded In Cuban circles is
considered by morevsobenminded citizens
as seriously complicating the situation. 1t
is thought the master and crew may be
indicted for piracy and the vessel con-
demned as a pirate. n II
1 saw Captain Lewis this evening. He
insists he has not violated any law, and de-
clares the Three Friends has been engaged
only In legitimate trade. Captain Matt"
OBrien. who Is also attached to the tug.
makes a similar statement.
Consul General Lee called On Captain
Lewis during his brief visit ashore this
evening and had long conference with
him about the reported recent cruise of the
tug. 1t is not known whether General Lee
was acting under Instructions from WASH
ington or obtaining information for his
guidance after reaching Havana II. as ru-
mored, an engagement actually took place
between the tug and Spanish tugboats the
matter. 1t is thought. will be brought to
his attention by Spanish officials In Cuba.
PROF. OSCAR IdEBREICH OF THE UNIVERSITY
Of Beriin says that ..APENTA" may be classed
a. hn ar .sr0sE.-