The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-20
OPEN HOsTILITIEs VERY NARROW.
LY AVERTED IN THE HAIR
BOR OF HAVANA.
GEN. WEYLER BACKED DOWN.
DECIDED ON REFLECTION NOT TO
FIRE ON THE STARS AND
STRIPES.
PLUcKY CAPTAIN WON A VICTORY
Refused to Surrender Pa.seu.a.
and Sailed Boldly by the Gums
of Moro Castle.

KEY WEST, Fla, Oct. 19.-If the
Spanish authorities had taken Senior
Angel Fernandez off the Ward line
steamer Vigilancia, while that vessel
was in Havana harbor last Friday
United States warships would have i'm
mediately 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 were on the brink of
war and the threatening situation was
only relieved when the Spanish authori-
ties ANONYMOUSLY backed down and al
lowed the Vigilancia to proceed to sea
with Fernandez still on board.
A letter received here from a CORE
spondent in Havana, who Is close to
Consul General Lee, gives a dramatic
account of the episode. According to
the letter, when the vigilancia put into
Havana, the Spanish authorities de-
manded the surrender of Senior Angel
hernandez, Mexican, on board the
vessel. The Spandiards alleged that
fefandeZ was not a Mexican but a
subject of Spain. Capt John McIn-
tosh, of the Vigilancia, refused to sur
render Fernandez. Then the Spanish
authorities told Mcintosh that If the
Hlgllancla attempted to go to sea with
FERNANDEZ on board, she would be sunk
by the guns of Moro Castle.
capt Mcintosh Immediately laid the
matter before Consul General Lee who
compl1mented the captain on his bray-
cry and told him to take the Vigilancia
70 sea When he pleased Consul Lee
was greatly enraged at the threat to
sink the Vfgilancia, and Is reported to
nave said to Capt. Mcintosh: IF the
guns OF Moro Castle sink your ship
American warships will be
BOMBARDING HAVANA
in few days" Capt. Mcintosh re-
turned to the Vigilancia and Consul
General Lee informed Weyler that the
vessel was going to sea, and that If
any attempt was made to take off Fer
nandez or that if the vessel was fired
upon, Spain must take the conse-
QuenceS. Weyler immediately sum-
mcned cabinet council and while this
council was considering the matter the
Vigilancia began to weigh anchor.
The Spanish officials on board pro-
tested, but Capt. Mcintosh said in Wig
orous language, the letter states.
Damn your objections. my ship has
been cleared. NV consul has fold me to
go to sea- am going and I dare you
to try to prevent me. Get eff my ship, ;,
and with that the Yankee rougfliv
showed the SpaniaTds into the waiting
boats and the VigiIancia, flying the
stars and stripes, started for the mouth
of the harbor, which is commanded bv
the guns of Moro Castle. All was ex-
cftement in Havana and the quays and
house tops were lined with hundreds Of
persons who expected to see the Wig
ilancia fired upon.
Consul Lee himself watched the Wig
flancia through a glass. Meanwhile
signals were being exchanged between
Weyler's palace and Moro Castle. and
in the latter place there were signs
Ct great excitement. Slowly the Wig
1lanc1a entered the mouth of the har-
Dor and then it was noticed that the
guns Of Moro were turned on the ship.
The Vigilancia repeatedly signalled
Moro Castle: Il am going to sea-" but
no answer came from the fort until
the vessel was in blue water and then
the Spaniards ran UP the signal which
means Good bye"
1t is said that Weyler is furious over
the departure Of the vessel and Con-
sui Lees course. 1t is stated Weyler
ordered the commandant of Moro Cas-
tie to sink the Vigilancia but that. at
the last moment, he yielded to the
ertreaties of his cabinet and counter
Tanded the order. The episode caused
more excitement in Havana than any
thing since the beginning of The war.