The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-09
washington, D. C., Dec. $, 1897.

Secretary Gage has submitted to the
Department of State his report upon
the acticn of the Treasury Department
in sTppress!ng flihuSterlng expeditions
to Cuba in violation Of the neutrality
laws, a synopsis Of which is furnished
by the department as follows:
Secretary Gage points out the fact
that during two years and half only
six American vessels, OF an aggregate
OF 1881 registered tens, are alleged to
have successfully landed expeditions
from the United States to Cuba. With
the exception of the Laurada, the six
American vessels alleged To have sue
cessfully taken part in expeditions in
Cuban waters are small tugs and n
pilot boat, each OF less than 100 net
tons, and obviously Incapable of carry
'tng large numbers or men or largo
quantities OF arms and ammunition
Three foreign vessels. OF an aggregate
Las registered tons. are all las-cd to have
been successful in the same effort
Referring to these foreign vessels,
the Norwegian steamer Leon, the Dan
ish steamer Horsa and the British
steamer Bermuda, the Secretary in
Hitcs attention TO the fact that the
crews of these vessels are required 10
be shipped before the CGnsuis of their
respective nations in accord with the
laws Of those nations. which also i'm
imposes on the master of vessels va
r!ous other duties to he performed he
fore the COnsuls. He suggests the in
quiry might be pertinent. whether the
Spanish authorities Informed these
Consus OF the alleged expeditions and
whether, II not, some measure OF re.
sponsbility does not rest On the Span
ish authorities for the alleged departure
Of thcse vessels or, II the CoMsuls were
notified, whether some measure OF re-
sponsibNNy does riot rest upon them.
This suggestion is made not to Shift
the responsibility, but to show that T.
these alleged expeditions started with
out the knowledge OF Treasury officials.
they also departed without the knowl-
edge of officials of ether nations, whose
action was u necessary preliminary to
clearance.
With the vessels referred to. 1t Is al
legged there have been associated about
dozen harbor tugs, three or four light
ers, a few small steamers and about n
dozen small sloops and schooners, in all
less than fifty. On the Atlantic and
Gulf coasts In 1896 there were 10.66S
sailing vessels under 200 tons and 29l7
steam vessels OF 1000 tons or less, TO-
tai OF 1855 American vessels 'Sf n de-
scriptinn and locality available for
filtbusterlng purposes. That only six
out OF 12HS5 American vessels succeed
ed in reaching Cuba. and that less than
nifty had any share in these eXpcd;-
tions. Secretary Gage says II Is a dem
onstration, first Of the law-ahidiny
spirit Of the nation. and OF the obedience
Vf the people ITO The Presidents procla-
nation. and Spppnl nf n
and repreSsive fear on the part Of thos,
who might he disposed To he lnwlass
and violate our obligations as n neutral
nation, and Gf belief that their efforts
would he frustrated by the authorities
OF the United States. and that the risk
or discovery and punishment greatly
outweiEhcd any chance Of proflt from
hhe exceptionally high money rewards
oHered to vessel owners by the Cuhans
Eight revenue cutters, with crews or
Sl7 men. armed with fifteen guns. have
crulsed i5.7SS miles, Occupying 100
months IN the aggregate, pntrollinG the
coast to prevent fllhusterinc- eynndi-
tions. They have captured seven yes
sells and fl5 men: have broken up two
expeditions and have held under sur-
veillance thirteen vessels under suspic-
ION. FROM time TO time several other
revenue cutters have been cmployed on
temporary duty.
Perhaps the strongest statement IN tho
rep5rt Is this: If the Spanish patrol of
22o0 miles of Cuban coast had frustr,,
fea one half the number OF expeditions
Mh'ch were frustrated by the United
states authorstics along a coast line of
paw miles. not one man nor one car
fridge would have been illicltly landed
IN Cuba from the United States.
Out OF sixty alleged expeditions only
FOUR nave been broken up by Spain. IL
Illustrating this statement he refers par-
ticulary to the expedition that LEFT ON
the I1aurada from Baltimore and landed
at Ranes on March 81. Banes Is an i'm
portant seapo-t on the coast of Cuba
VIII which the United States carried on
: yalnaoie frut trade until the Spanish
). order prohibiting the export OF bananas
3 was issued. Yet. It Is averred that the