The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-09

WASHINGTON. Dec. s.-Secretary Gage
| has submitted 20 the department of state
his report upon the action OF the treasury
department In suppressing nlbusiering ex-
petitions to Cuba in violation of the neu-
traiity laws, synopsis OF which. as fur
nished by the department. is as follows:
Secretary Gage points out the fact that
during the two years and half only six
American vessels OF an aggregate of l.33i
registered tons are alleged to have safely
! landed expeditions from the United States
In Cuba. With the exception of the Lau-
| rada. the six American vessels alleged to
successfully have taken part in expeditions
in Cuban waters, are small tugs and
pilot boat, each less than 100 tons, and OBJ
viously incapable of carrying large numbers
| of men or large quantities of arms and
munitions.
Three foreign vessels. of an aggregate OF
LIS tons. are alleged to have been success
fui In the same effort. Referring TO these
foreign vessels. the Norwegian steamer
Leon, the Danish steamer Horsa. and the
British steamer Bermuda, the secretary in
vites attention 10 the fact that the crews
OF these vessels are required to
be shipped before the consuls of
their respective nations in accordance
with the laws of those nations which also
impose on the masters OF those vessels varr-
Gus other duties 10 be performed by the
eonsuis. He suggests the inquiry might be
| pertinent whether the Spanish authorities
informed these consuls of the alleged expe-
dstlons and whether some measure of re-
| sponsibility does not rest IN the Spanish
authorities for the alleged departure OF
| these vessels. or If the consuls we're notified.
whether the same measure Of responsible
ity does not rest upon them This sugges-
| ton Is made, not 10 shift responsibility
but 10 show that II these alleged expedi-
| tions started without the knowledge Of
| treasury officials they also departed with
out The knowledge OF officials of other na-
tons, whose action was a necessary pre-
limnary to clearances
With the vessels referred to- Il is alleged
there have been associated about a dozen
harbor tugs. three or four lighters. a few
small steamers and about dozen small
ships and schooners, IN all less than fftr
| On the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in ISa5
| there were 10, sSs vessels under 2o0 tons and
| 2sl7 vessels OF LOO tons or less a total of
| 1855 American vessels of description
| available FOR filbustcring purposes That
| only six out of 1855 American vessels sue
| ceeded IL reaching Cuba. and that less than
fifty had any share in these expeditions
| Secretary Gage says is demonstration
| first. OF the Law abiding spirit OF the nation
| and of the obedience OF the people to the
presidents command: and. second. of
UnDia<Nra ard ranraSGfNe Faa m rf
| Of those who might he disposed 10 lawless-
| ness and violations OF our obligations OF
! the law OF neutrality.
Eight revenue cutters. with crews Of 81
men. armed with fifteen guns. have crused
| s.gSs miles. occupying IS9 months In the
aggregate, ratroling the coast 70 prevent
| hlibustering expeditions They have cap
| tured seven vessels and iiS men. ard have
| brought up two expeditions ard have held
under surveillance fourteen vessels under
suspicion. From time 20 time several other
revenue cutters have been employed on
| temporary duty.
Perhaps the strongest statement IN the re-
| port is this; IF the Spanish patrol OF 22no
miles of Cuban coast had frustrated one
half the number OF expeditions which Were
frustrated by the United States authorities
/ along a coast line Of 5.t70 miles not one
man ner one cartridge would have been IL
ljcitlv landed in Cuba from the United
States. Out of TIE sixty alleged expeditions
only four have been broken up by Spain.
Illustrating this statement. Mr.. Gage re-
fers particularly 10 the expedition that left
on the Laurada from Baltimore and landed
at Banes On March 81 IL appears that the
/ I.aurada remained in this seaport two DAYS
landing men and arms and was Dot moles.-
ed by the Spanish authorities in Cuba.
who had been Informed os her landing and
I even msnutely where torqedoes had been
/ placed.
Unless Srsin is prepared 70 avow The in
/ ability or indisposition 70 defend her in
terests in Cuba. Secretary Gage holds that
/ the responsibility for any gillbusterlnE ex-
peditioBS may be- properly fixed On Spanish
! authorities in Cuba. WHO had been proper
! ~ informed by the Spanish Iesatiou- The
spanish nave repeatedly asserted that all
ghe seaports II Cuba we're IN their possess
son
In ali sixty alleged expeditions are ex-
alulaed. % these Secretary Gage SHOWS
that tweu.y~eight have been frustrated
through ghe efforts ~ 5he treasury GepasI-
:usut. Ave aaye bccn frustrated - the
Cul;sa Statc< navy. four nave cve0 tyas-
t-atea hy Spaia TWO have aesn wrecked.
one arlyea back BY storms. o0e failed fv,es
4 combination q causes. one tthe pat4-
ware1. ae declines 10 recognize as otAe~
than "a violation Of tha British rag enlist
gaent act. As Spain has Suffered 10 in
fury fr1sn taese fuTty-tavee fal51r.s IL .s
assumed ;Aat .5ey VII - accepted oy
spain as evidence II the S4ccess - he
t-uite8 states IN maintaining its ohsi "a
tons and taat detailed statement con-
! cxra.nE eaCn = EaDe sssarE
secretary Gage then examines ia detail
tae seventeen alleged successful txp4til-
t.ocs He points oUt Ia4t tse partial sue
cess IN one ease VAS tGe . TAe weakness
? - :he Spanish rA:roi az the Cs3tan coast:
taat II one case tao Spanish authorities NJ
New York have sxoasvate5 the o.f,ga.z
: r~s-
srous&23l4tE ttsat 81 oGe case the Spanish
minister disagreed vltA the t~Sa. adviser
- = the Spanish icSatt0r. sna atso Gtsa-
staeA wt.h hiFu ss 20 rsa date Il th@ a.