The Saint Paul globe., 1897-12-09
PROTECTED BY THE UNITED
STATES.
Mr.. GAGE ON FILIBUSTERS.
ONLY SIX AnnniidAs VESSELS ARE
KNOWN TO HAVE LANDED
EXPEDITIONS.
THE DoNs THEMSELVES CARELESS.
Cuban Coast Less Les s Closely Watched
Than That Under the Jurisdic-
ton of-America.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 8.-Secretary
Gage has submitted to the department
of state his report upon the action
of the treasury department. in sup
pressing filibustering expeditions to
Cuba in violation of neutrality laws,
a synopsis of which is as follows:
Secretary Gage puts out the fact
that during two years and half six
American vessels Of an aggregate of
1881 registered tons are alleged to
have successfully landed expeditions
from the United States in Cuba. With
the exception of the Laurada the six
American vessels alleged to have sue
cessfully taken part in expenditions in
Cuban waters are small tugs and
pilot boat, each of less than 100 tons
and obviously incapable Of carrying
large numbers of men or large guam
titles of arms and ammunition. Three
foreign vessels of an aggregate of LIS
tons are alleged to have been success
full in the same effort. Referring to
these foreign vessels, the Norwegian
steamer Leon, the Danish steamer
Horsa, and the British steamer Ber-
muda, the secretary invites attention
to the fact that the crews Of these
vessels are required to be shipped be-
fore the consuls of their respective
nations in accord with the laws of
those nations He suggests that in
| quiry might be pertinent whether the
Spanish authorities Informed these
consuls of the alleged expeditions and
whether or not s9me measure of re-
sponsibility does 1not,t rest on the
Spanish authorities for the alleged de-
parture of these vessels, or, if the
consuls were notified whether the
same measure Of responsibility does
not rest upon them. oThis suggestion
is made not to shift responsibility but
| to show that if thesei alleged expedi-
tions started without, the knowledge
of treasury officials they also depart
ed without the knowledge of officials
| of other nations whose action was a
necessary preliminary to clearance.
with the vessels referred to it IS
| alleged there have, been associated
! about a dozen harbor tugs, three or
| four lighters, a few small steamers
and about a dozen small sloops and
schooners in all less than fifty. On
! the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in 1896
there were l.O0O NeSSSlS lllLuSI ZUO lOllS,
! and PIT vessels of 1,100 tons or less, a
! total of 1855 American vessels of a
I description and locality available for
/ fi1ibustering purposes. That only six
| out of 1855 american vessels sue
eeeded: in reaching Cuba, and that
| less than so had any share in these
! expeditions, Secretary Gage says, is a
/ demonstration first bfpthe5 law-abiding
spirit of the nation andGof the obedf-
| ence of the people to the presidents
proclamation. and second, of a wholez
! sale and -repressfve fear on the'part or
those who might be disposed to be
lawless and violate our obligations as
a neutral nation and of a belief that
their efforts would be frustrated by
the authorities of the United States
and that the risk of discovery and
| punishment greatly outweighed any
| chance of profit from the exceptional
ly high money rewards offered to YES
| sci owners by the Cubans.
| Eight revenuelcutters, with crews OF
31T men armed with fifteen guns, have
cruised 1878 miles, occupying 169
months in the aggregate, patroiing the
coast to prevent filibustering expedi-
tions. They have captured seven yes
sells and 115 men; have broken up two