Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1896-10-20
DErIEs wEYLER TO SINK THE SHIP.
Captain of the NigiInncin Sails Past
the Gnna of Mnrrn CnaiIe.

Captain OF the viEiInncin Sails Past
the Guns of MORO Castle.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 19.-The Times
Democrat Key West special says II the
Spanish authorities had taken Senior Angel
Fernandez from the Ward line steamer
Vigilancla while that vessel was in Havana
harbor last Friday United states war ships
would have Immediately been ordered to
Havana to enforce demand for reparation
and war between this country and Spain
would have undoubtedly resulted. For three
hours last Friday the United States and
Spain we're on the brink OF war and the
threatening situation was only relieved when
the Spanish authorities ANONYMOUSLY backed
down and allowed the Vigilancia to proceed
to sea with Fernandez still on board. a
letter received here from correspondent
In Havana who is close to Consul General
Lee. gives dramatic account OF the cpl
sode. According to the letter when the
Vigilancia put into Havana the Spanish au-
thorities demanded the surrender of Senior
Angel Fernandez, a Mexican on board the
vessel. The Spanards alleged that Fernan-
DEE was not a Mexican, but a subject Of
Spain. Captain John Mcintosh Of TIE Vigil
lancia refused to surrender Fernandez Then
the Spanish authorities told Mcintosh that
If the Nigilancia attempted to go to sea
with Fernandez she would be sunk by the
guns OF MORO castle. Captain Mcintosh i'm
mediately laid the matter before Consul
General Lee. who complimented the captain
on his bravery and told him TO take the
Vigilancia to sea when he pleased. Consul
Lee was greatly enraged at the threat to
sink the Vigianca and Is reported to have
said to Captain Mcintosh "If the guns OF
Moro castle sink your ship American war
ships will be bombarding Havana in few
days"
Captain Mcintosh returned to the Vigil
amelia and Consul Lee informed Weyler that
the vessel was going to sea and that II any
attempt was made &c take off Fernandez or
IL the vessel was fired upon, Spain must take
the consequences
Weyler Immediately summoned a cabinet
council and while this council was consider
ing the matter the Viglancia began to weigh
anchor The Spanish officials On board pro-
tested. but Captain Mcintosh said, in vigor-
Gus 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 | dare you to try to
prevent me. Get of my ship"
And with that the Yankee roughly showed
the Spaniards into the waiting boats and
the Vigilancia, flying the stars and stripes,
started for the mouth of the harbor which
is commanded by the guns OF Moro castle
All was excitement in Havana and the quays
and housetops were lined with hundreds OF
persons who expected to see the Vigilancia
fred upon. Consul Lee himself watched the
Vigilancia through a glass.
Meanwhile signals were being exchanged
between Weyler's palace and MORO castle
and In the latter place were signs OF great
excitement. Slowly the Vigllanca entered
the mouth OF the harbor and then 1t was
noticed the guns OF MORO were turned on
the ship. The Vlgiancia repeatedly sig
nailed MORO castle: 81 am going to sea"
but no answer came from the fort until the
vessel was in blue water and the Spaniards
ran up the signal which means "Goodby."
1t is said Woyler is furious over the de-
parture OF the vessel and Consul Lees
course. 1t Is stated Weyler ordered the
commnndant OF Moro to sink the Vigilancia,
but that at the last moment he yielded to
the entreaties OF his cabinet and counter
manded the order. The episode caused
more excitement in Havana than anything
since the beginning of the war.