Evening star., 1896-10-20
A SENSATIONAL STORY
Gen. Weylers Alleged Threat to al
American Captain.
Dramatic NarratlvSJ Sent From Ha-
vann is C0ntrndicded by the OH-
is
cials-No Unpleasant Incident.

A special dispatch ftom Key West, Fla,
dated October 10, saySo
If the Spanish authorities had taken Senior
Angel Fernandez Off tb9.ward Line steam
er Vlsilancia while thett vessel was in Ha-
yana harbor last Fhfuay, United States
warships would have Immediately been or
dered to Havana to enforce a demand for
reparaton. 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 re-
lieved when the Spanish authorities igno-
ninfously backed down and allowed the
Vigilancia to proceed to sea, with Fernan-
dez still on board.
A letter received here from a correspond
ent In Havana, who is close to Consul Gen.
eral Lee, gives a dramatic account of the
EPISODE. according tothe letter, when the
Nigilancia put into Havana the Spanish au-
thorities demanded the surrender of S.nor
anger fernandez. Mexican on board the
vessel. The Spaniards alleged that Fernan-
aez was not a Mexican, but subject of
Spain, and owing service in the Spanish
army Capt. John Mcintosh of the VigiIan-
cla refused to surrender Fernandez.
Inen the Spanish authorities told McIn-
tosn that II the Figtlancia attempted to go
10 sea with Fernandez on board she would
Consul General Lees Advice.
Captain Mcintosh inlmedia tely laid the
matter before Consul General Lee, who
complmented the captain on his bravery
ana told him to take the Vigilancia to sea
"hen he pleased. Consul Lee was greatly
enrased at the threat to sink the Vigilancia,
ana Is reported to have said to Captain Nc
ln'osh: If the guns OF Moro Castle sink
your SNIP American warships will be bonn
pafdlng Havana in a few days"
Mcintosh returned to the Vigilancia, and
consul Lee Informed Weyler that the vessel
was gong to sea, and that if any attempt
was made to take off Fernandez, or if the
vessel was fired upon, Spain must take the
.onse3uehces; Weyler Immediately sum-
moned cabinet council, and while this
council was considering Lees letter the
Hig1lancia began to weigh anchor. The
spanish off1cials on board protested, but
States:
My ship has been cleared my consul has
tod me to go to sea; am going, and dare
you to try to prevent me. Get off my ship"
ana with that the gritty Yankee roughly
showed The Spaniards into their waiting
BOAT, and the Vigilancia, flying the stars
ana stripes. stood for the mouth of the
harbor. which is commanded by the guns of
Moro Castle.
Dehed Spanish Guns.
All was excitement in Havana and the
quays and house tops were lined with hun
dreas OF persons, who expected to see the
Vlgilancia fired on. Consul Lee himself
watched the Vigilancia through a glass
Meanwhile signals We're being exchanged
between Weyler's palace and Moro Castle
and in the latter place there were signs of
great activity. Slowly the Vigilancia en-
tered the mouth of the harbor. and then it
haf lyA
trained on the ship. The Vigilancia repeat
edly s.gnaled Moro Castle Il am going to
sea, but no answer came from the fort un-
I'll the vessel was inlb blue water, and then
means Goodbye" A'
1t Is said Weyler is furious over the de-
parture OF the vessel and Consul Lees
course 1t Is stated Weyler ordered the
commandant Of Moro'to sink the Vigilancia
but at the last moment he yielded to the
entreatieS of his cabinet and countermanded
the order The episode, caused more excite
ment IN Havana than any since the begin
ming of the war ~ 2
The omciar Report.
1t is stated by officials that the reports
coming from Key West as to an exciting
controversy at Havana between Gen. Fitz-
hugh Lee, United States consul general.
and Gen. Weyler. over the attempted ap-
prehension Of Mexican named Fernandez
on board of the American ship Vigiancia,
give significance and importance to the
event not warranted by the facts. Official
dispatches have passed between Washing
ton and Havana fully explaining the case.
hut these have been of an entirely pacific
character, showing no rupture between the
captain general and General Lee. and. ON
the whole, treating the matter as an Incl
dent which had been adjusted satisfactorily
and without any breach Of friendly rela-
tions The facts. as stated by officials who
nave handled the dispatches, are substan-
TALLY these
Gen. Weyler ordered the arrest of Fer
nandez as q suspect, not knowing at the
time of the issuance of the order that he
was On board an American ship Later
General Lee notified the Spanish authorities
that the Vigilancia was an American shin,
which, under our treaty rights had an i'm
munity from search and seizure for sus-
poets in transitu to other ports General
Weyler promptly acceded to the position
taken by General Lee, and the affair ended
No protests or claims were submitted to
washington by either side. 1t is said posi-
lively that the reports that General Weyler
even contemplated firing on the Vigilancia
or trained the guns of Moro Castle on the
ship ere incorrect