The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-07-22
LATEST NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
REPORT ON SPAIN.
Facts Set Forth in the Records
Of 1895

II requires seventy-one printed pages In
the volume OF foreign relations to set out the
correspondence which has passed between
the United States and Spnin during the year
1885, yet In no case is there printed any mat
ter in the nature OF reports from United
States officers touching the rebellion, iti
causes, progress or prospects. The chapter
on Spain begins with the celebrated Mora
case, which, having been settled satisfactorily
by the payment Of an indemnity by Spain Of
a million and IA half dollars, Is now closed
incident. Next In order comes the Allianca
incident beginning with Secretary Gresham's
vigorous demand upon the Spanish govern
ment for prompt disavowal OF the net OF
the Conde lie Venadito In firing upon the
American steamship; for an expression OF
regret and the Issuance Of orders to Spanish
naval commanders to refrain from interfer-
ence with legitimate American commerce,
whether within three miles Of the Cuban
coast or not. The conclusion Of this incident
is for the first time told officially In this pub
lication.
The Spanish government showed an entire
readiness to do everything that international
law requires to smooth away the bad impress
sion made by the incident, and after procur-
Ing n report on the subject from the Cuban
officials, the duke of Tetuan, Spanish minis
ter OF foreign affairs. delivered to United
States Minister Taylor statement In which
he saws that the Alliapca was fired opon with
a special purpose, not to hit her, sNe being
outside the jurisdctional zone Of Spain.
This was an involuntary error which no pne
his majesty, whose purpose was never TO set
obstacles or hindrances to the legitimate
commerce OF the United States and much
less to give the slightest ofIense to the flag
OF the friendly power. He adds that in
structions have been sent to the commanders
al.t Nl..
tion of events similar to that now In ques-
tion, which is disavowed by the government
Of his majesty"
Mr. Uhl, then acting secretary OF state
closed the Incident by accepting the dukes
communication az n sufficient and satlsfac-
tory explanation, without conceding that the
exact location OF the Allianca at the time the
shot was fired, can be- considered az con-
trolling circumstance. Correspondence pas
sing between the state department and the
resident Spanish minister relative to the
enforcement of the United States neutrality
laws takes up considerable space It begins
with the cases of the yachts Amadis, La
gonda and Baracoa, but these have already
been made public through legal proceedings
Half dozen letters tell the story Of the
fruitless attempt OF Marshal Campos, then
captain-general, to prevent United States
Consul-General Williams from exercising
diplomatic functions In Intervening to pro-
officials In Cuba. Secretary 0lney acted
with vigor and promptness In this matter,
addressing himself to Minister de Lone
here and to the Spanish government at Mad
rid at the same time through Minister Tay-
lor. and In less than n month Consul GEN
eral Williams was recognized as having full
powers to look after such matter. being thus
placed on an equity with the German consul
In Cuba.
One short letter from United States Minis
| ter Taylor to Secretary Gresham In February
9, 1895, tells the story of a diplomatic vietory
that from its business value deserves a
prominent place In the volume. This was
the final concession by the Spanish govern
ment to the United States citizens Of the
right to pay minimum import duties on
goods sent to Cuba. A premoniton OF claims
to be preferred against Spain appears in
several letters from l.. Atkins 4 Co. of Bos-
ton, to Secretary Olney, giving notice OF the
destruction of their valuable Soedad sugar
| estate by the insurgents. Incidentally they
note that the insurgents are mainly negroes
and that the orders to burn their property
were sent from Cuban headquarters In New
York. with n purpose of causing trouble be-
tween the United States and Spain. The
chapter on Spain ends with correspondence
relative to the cases of certain citizens arrest
ed and expelled from Cuba, Francisco Car
rillo, John A. Somers and the Ansleys.