The record-union., 1897-12-27
As Against the Eventua|ity Of a Conflict
With the United States.
Nothing Known at the State De-
partment Regarding the Story
That This Government Has De-
manded $S,OOO,OOO Indemnity
to American Traders for Dam
ages Sustained Through the
War in Cuba.

acter of the reply of United States
Minister Woodford to the note Of the
Spanish Government, in answer to the
first communication of the American
Government, through him, it is necessa-
ry to increase the Spanish fleet as
against the eventuality OF conflict
with the United States.
"El Espanaldo" says the "encroach-
ments of the United States upon the
internal peace of Spain have become
lintolerable, and must be resisted ener-
getically. The situation is difficult, but,
at whatever cost, the Government
ought to put an end to shameful state
of affairs for the sake of the dignity Of
Spain"
LONDON, Dec. 26.-The Madrid cor
respondent of the Daily Mail" says:
General Woodford's note differs greatly
from the first he presented, and con-
tains several statements that would be
refuted. 1t is inspired, on the whole.>
by the sentiments pervading President
Mckinley's message. Senor Gullon, the
Minister Of Foreign Affairs, will reply.
traversing the points raised.
THE STORY DISCREDITED.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-Secretary
of State Sherman was seen tonight
regarding a story cabled from Madrid
to the effect that the United States
had demanded of Spain SS,OOO,OOO in
demnity to American traders for dam
ages sustained through the rebellion in
Cuba The Secretary stated that if any
such demand had been made he had not
heard Of it.
Judge Day, Assistant Secretary Of
State, said: 80 far as I know there is
absolutely nothing in the story. Some
one may have attempted to foot up all
the individual claims that have been
filed, but even on that supposition,
should not attempt to say their esti-
mate was correct"
At the Spanish legation it was said
that no information had been received
of any such action. The legation had
heretofore been notified Of the filing of
all individual claims, but it was
thought improbable that any claim in
bulk would be made.
GERMAN NAVAL OFFICERS BAN
QUETED.
HAVANA, Dec. 26-To-night Cap
tain General Blanco gave a banquet to
the officers Of the German corvette
Stein. Forty guests We're present, in
Guiding the Spanish Admiral, the
Mayor of Havana and other naval and
civil authorities
Congressman William Henry King Of
Utah has arrived here.
AFTER A FILIBUSTER.
MOBILE (Ala.), Dec. 26.-If the pilot
boat Somers n. Smith of Pensacola gets
out OF this port with a filibustering ex-
pedition she'will have to run over the
cutter Seward in the river and cruiser
off the bar. The Smith was here in
August last, was docked and black
loaded, had speed wheel put in, and
also took off the figure 3 from her
smoke stack and went to sea at night,
bound, rumor afterward said, to Cuba
with ninety men on board and a lot of
arms and ammunition.
No trace of this expedition was
found, however, and William Bazzelle.
Commodore of the Pensacola Pilots AS
sociation, presumably the owner of the
tug, denied emphatically that the Smith
was in the filibustering business.
Two weeks ago the tug reappeared in
Pensacola, and came Immediately under
suspicion, the papers there saying the
cruiser Montgomery was on watch over
her. The papers also said the Smith
needed docking for repairs, but that the
Mobile docks were too busy to take her.
Nevertheless, she arrived here Thurs
day, and went on the Mobile ways at
the foot of Augusta street to be re-
painted. The manager of the ways
says the paint on her does not need re-
newing, and is just as good as when
put on four months ago. She is said
to have been followed as far as this
port by the cruiser Montgomery.
Telegraphic orders were sent for her
through Mobile last night, and the
Collector was notified to be on the look
out for filibusters. United States
Marshal Simmons went on board ,be
tug to-day and had the boat searched
but nothing was found on board. Raz-
zelle, who is with the Smith. says there
is no intention Of filibustering. and that
she is merely here for repairs.
The cutter Seward dropped down the
river this afternoon. and came to anch-
or just opposite the exit from the ma
rine ways, and lies there with steam
up and keeping an eye on the Smith.
Persons from the lower bay report that
a cruiser has been off the bar for the
past twenty-four hours.
JACKSONVILLE (F'Ia.). Dec. pa
special to the "Times-Union and Citi
zen" from Punta Gorda states that the
cruiser Montgomery and cutters For
ward and McLane arrived In Charlotte
harbor this morning In seach Of a fiji
clustering expedition that was reported
TO be about to set sail for Cuba. Ves-
sells in port were searched. but nothing
of a contraband nature was found.