The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-09
NORFOLK vIRGINIAN: THURSDAY DECEMBER 8 1897

days. landing men and arms, and was
not molested by the Spanish authorities
in Cuba, who had been informed of her
landing and even minutely where tor
pedoes had been placed. Unless Spain
is prepared to aVow the inability or in
disposition to defend her interests In
Cuba, Secretary Gage holds that the
responsibility for the success of this ex-
pedJ.lon may properly be fixed upon
Spanish officials In Cuba, who had been
fully Informed by the Spanish legation.
The Spanish authorities have repeatedly
asserted that all of the saaports of Cuba
were in their possession.
In all. sixty alleged expeditions are
examined. OF these Secretary Gage
shows that twenty-eight have been frus-
tpated through the efforts of the treas
ury department. five have been frus-
trated by the United States navy, four
have been frustrated by Spain, two have
been wrecked one driven back by storm,
one failed from 4 combination of causes,
one, the Delaware he declines to recog-
nize as other than Il violation of the
British foreign enlistment act. AS
Spain has suffered no Injury from these
forty-three failures, Ii is assumed that
they will be accepted by Spain as evil
dcnce of the success of the United States
in maintaining its obligations, and that
q detailed statement concerning each
Is unnecessary.
Secretary Gage then examines in, de-
tail the seventeen alleged successful eX-
petitions. He points out that the par
tiai success in one case was due to the
weakness CT the Spanish patrol OF the
Cuban coast; that in one case the Span
!sh authorities at New York have eN-
onerated the officers of the Treasury
from all responsibility; that in one case
the Spanish Minister dsagrees with the
legal advisers of the Spanish Legation
and also disa grces with himself as to
the date of the alleged successful ex-
nedition, and the department has no in
formation warranting it to request that
any proceedings be instituted; that in
three cases the vessels have been
wrecked and proceedings against them
are obviously impracticablc, while the
principal in one case is imprisoned as
below: that in five cases the principals
have been sentenced to imprisonment,
or are in prison: that in one case the
vessel is under British jurisdiction and
clnnot, therefore, be reached by the
United States, while the principal has
been sentenced to Imprisonment in this
country, as above; III three cases the
vessels have been libellcd OH evidence
furnished in part by this Department.
and are awaiting the action OF the
courts; that in one case the officers are
under indictment; thatSin one case .tffe
libel upon vessel was d.imissed by the
United States District Judge; that in
one case the question of institut.ng
prScesd!ngs is under consideration;
thai in one case the department asks
time for further Investigation.
The case OF the Silver Heels is in
cluded, as the vessel may have been
successful, though nothing has been
heard OF her since her departure. six
weetis ago, She may have perished in
lhe severe storm a few days after her
departure. Concerning that case how
ever, 1t is to be observed that the Col
lector at New York reports that Mr.
Hand. representing the Spanish Consul,
stated TO him that he did rlot desire the
vessel detained at dock, but seized after
dtTnrui"e therefrom. Mr. Hand and
Mr. Thornh!ll stated they would adj
Viso the United States Marshal
promptly of the departure of the sloop,
ana that they desired the matter to be
ictt in their own hands.
secretary Gage makes no estimate or
the cost involved. which has evidently
been very large. decming the extent
and results of the work performed by
the department a better measure of the
lidel!ty of its officers to their uaths and
Il better standard by which TO measure
their efficiency.