The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-20

New Orleans. La. Oct. fs.--The Tsmes-
Dc.nocrat'S Key West special says. II the
spanish authorities had taken Senor An
sci Ecrnandez OF the Ward liae steamer
figiancssa when that vessel was in Tsa-
vana haIaor last Friday, United states
warshtas would have Immediately been
ordered 10 Havana TO enforce u demand for
reIsaration. and war between this country
and Spain would have undoubtedly -'esalt-
ed. For three hours last Frniay the Unit
cd States and Spain we're on the nrina or
war. and the threatening situation was on
~ over when the Spanish authorities ig-
ANONYMOUSLY backed down. and lex the ysg.-
lancia proceed 10 sea with Fernandez still
on board.
A letter received here from a corresponds
ent in Havana who is close to Consul
Gen Lee gives a dramatic account of the
episode. According 10 the letter. when
the Nlgilancla put into Havana. the Span
ish authorities demanded iae surrender OF
Senor Angel Fernandez. Mexican on
board the vessel The Spanish alleged that
Fernandez was not "A Mexlcan. oas a sub
1ect or Spain. Capt John Mcintosh, OK
the vessel, refused 70 surrender Fern2a-
dex Then the Spanish authorities told
the captain that II the Vigiancia attempts
ei 20 so TO sta 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
eomplimentei the captain on hts bravery
and told him to take the Vigilancia to sea
when he pleased Consul General Lee was
greatly enraged al the threat TO sink tho
Nigilancia and Is reported to have said to
Capt. Mcintosh.
III the guns of Moro castle sink your
ship Amerisan warships will be Bernhard
ing Havana IN "A few days
Capt. Mcintosh returned 10 the visil-
ancia, and Consul General Lee informed
Gen. Wevler that the vessel WAS going 70
sea. ana If any attempt was made to take
Off Fernandez. IL the vessel was fired
upon. Spain must take the consequences.
Weyler Immediately summoned & cabinet
council. and while this council was consid-
erins the matter the Nigiiancia began to
weigh anchor. The Spanish officials on
board protested, but Capt. Mcintosh said
in vigorous language. the letter states:
"D---n your objections; my ship has
been cleared. My consul has told ma to
go 10 SEA | am going. and dare YOU TO
try 10 prevent me. Get or my ship
And with that the Yankee roughly
showed the Spaniaris into the waiting
boats. and the Nigilancia, flying the Stars
and stripes. started for the mouth of tho
harbor. which is comnantis1 by the guns
OF Moro castle. All was excitement I'm Ha-
vana, and the quays and housetops were
lined with hundreds OF persons who en-
peCts1 10 see the Nl&liduNia tfpu upon.
Consul General Lee himself watched the
Nigilancta through a glass.
Meanwhile signals were being ex-
changed between Weyler's palace ard
Moro castle. and In the latter place there
were signs OF great excitement. Slowly
the Vigilance entered the mouth OF tho
haibor. and then II was noticed that the
guns of Moro were turned on the ship.
Thu Nirilancia repeatedly signaied Moro
castle. II am going to sea- but no an
swer came from the fort until the vessel
was In blue water and the Spantards ran
up the signal which means ''Cood-hye."
II is said Wesier Is furious over the de-
parture OF the vessel and at Conau GEN.
eral Lees course. " is stated that Wey-
Ter ordered the commandant of Moro to
sink the Vlglancia. but at he last mo-
ment he yielded 20 the entreaties OF his
cabinet and countsrmanded the order The
episode caused more excitement in lia-
vana than anything since the beginning
OF the war.