Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-04-15
FOR VIOLATION OF NEUTRALITY LAWS.


District Attorney VANDERBILT Files Libel nj
Information In Regard to the Alleged
Fiiibnster's Actions.
Two libels were fiIod in tho United
States corrt on Monday against the
steamship Laurada by the Charles
Warner CO., for towage and SERVICES 0f
tho tugs Taurus and Martha. Tho
claims, aggregate abnut $500. The
Laurada Is atill in custody charged
with violating the Federal statute in
regard to tho inspection Of bulls and
boilers. But not for that alone is she
now wanted by the government. for the
more serioua charge of violating tho
neutrality laws in carrying an armed
expedition to Cuba has now been
brought against her. This was done
Tuesday in libel of Information filed
by United States District Attorney
Lewis c. Vandegrift.
The action is taken against the
American steamship LRurada. her
tackle, apparel ard furniture and all
persons lawfully Intervening for their
interest therein. The district attorney
rehearses the fact OF her seizure on
March 3lst by Collector of the Port
William III. Cooper for violation OF the
hull and boiler inspection law, and of
her being afterwards taken possession
of by the United States marshal, in
whose custody hhe still remains.
He further presen's that since tho
seizure of the Laurada information has
been received by him by which it ap-
poars that iu addition to the violation
OF the Htatutes as previously set forth.
there has also been violation OF
section 1888 of the revised statutes Of
the United States lin that the steam
ship "was furnished. fitted out and
armed within the limits OF the United
States with intent that the said steam
ship should be employed 10 tbs service
OF colony, district or people to COM
NIT hostiiitles upon the subjects, citi.
zen or property of foreign prince or
State with whom the United States are
at peace, so that said steamship with
her tackle, apparel and furniture
thereby became aud are liable 10 for.
fixture TO rhe United States for tho
Causes following"
The district attorney then goes into O
detailed statement concerning the move
inents Of the Lnurada, saying that on
or about February 26th, 1897, she was
fitteG out at baltimore by Samuel
Hughes, her master, with intent that
she should BIO employed in the service
Of foreign people who we're in revolt
against the recognized government of
the Island of Cuba, dominion of the
King of Spain, TO commit hostilities
against the subjects, citizens or prop
erty of tho King Of Spain in the Island
of Cuba, the King being a foreign
arc at peace. He alleges that the
I, o,,f TODD
supplies with tho intent that the vessel
should he employed in the service Of
the insurrectionists
lie further alleges that ut or near the
mouth of the Delaware the Lauradn
was fitted out with life anu surf boats,
and that csrtain person or persons un.
known to the attorney were knowingly
concerned in furnishing and fitting out
of tho vessel. M
He alleges further that off Barnegat,
within the limits Of the United States,
the Laurada was fitted out and armed
by Samuel Hughes. her master: that
she was armed with men, dynamite,
cannon, cartridges, guns and other
munitions Of war, and that an unknown
person or persons were concerned. Tho
intent alleged was that the vessel so
furnished should be employed in tho
service of persons in the district Of
Pinar del Rio in the Island of Cuba,
tho vessel being employed to commit
hostilities in Pinar del Rio.
The Laurada 10 alleged 10 have taken
munitions OF war from the sailing yes
sci Donna NJ. Briggs on the Atlantic
ocean within the admiralty and mari
time district of the United States, in
March.
After committing the hostilities the
Lnurada ia alleged to have sniled from
a point at or near Cuba to the port Of
Wilmington.
Tho usual process is prayed for
against the vessel, that she may DO
condemned and forfeited according to
the Federal statutes.