New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-20
MORE NEGOTIATIONS WITH SPAIN.
TUE ADMINISTRATION WILL SHOW THAT 1T HAS


PERFORMED ITS WHOLE DUTY IN PREVENT
ING FILIBUsTERING EXPEDITIONS
Washington. Nov 10 (SpeclaD.-Before the
opening of Congress It is probable that further
communications will pass between the State
Department and the Sagasta Cabinet. They
will all be of pacific character. The case
of the United States is not yet completed. There
will be a reply to the note transmitted by
Minister woodford from Madrid In the reply
of Premier Sagasta which Is In a measure an
acceptance Of the good Offices Of the United
States, there is what might be called diplo-
matte exhortation for this country to stop FILL
clustering. The implication. while not couched
in offensive language. Is that the United States
has not fully performed its duty IN this respect.
In answering this assertion. the State Depart
ment will not conine itself to a general denial.
II will show the actual work which has been
imposed on this country In doing police duty
for Spain. Detailed statements have been pre-
pared. showing what has been done by the
Treasury Department in every alleged case Of
filibustering The instructions to the collectors
Of customs have been specific. and they have
been rigidly carried out. The number Of fill
clustering expeditions so-caled. which have
been frustrated by the vigilance Of the officials
Is much greater than is generally supposed
Whenever a suspected vessel gets away great
ado 10 made over 1t. but nothing Is said Of the
much larger number Of cases ir which attempts
to evade the neutrality laws have failed.
A HEAVY EXPENSE INCURRED.
The Navy Department has also been utilized
in enforcing neutrality obligations. The esti-
mate OF 81. 600 900 expense to the United States
Is not far wide Of the mark. Some Of this ex-
pense has been incurred in looking after ex-
petitions which were proved to have no ex-
istence save in the fears Of the Spanish Legation.
Spain has detectives at all the ports of depart
ure In the country. Until Consul Congosto, at
Philadelphia. went to Cuba to become Secretary
General, he had charge OF this work Not In
frequently Minister de LONE would report to the
State Department his Information Of expected
violations Of the neutrality laws The State
Department would at once call the attention OF
the Treasury Department to the circumstances
and strict watch would be kept, with the
suit of showing that the Minister'S information
had been incorrect. But the expense was in
CURED.
While the main point Of the diplomatic cor
respondence will be to show that the United
States has faithfully fulfilled its neutrality OBJ
legations. there may be a suggestion OF SPANS
own peculiar position. If flibusterlng has been
half as extensive as claimed 1t is an admission
OF her inability to guard the coast Of Cuba
Few expeditions are reported as intercepted by
the Spanish vessels In Cuban waters If they
get away from this country they must sue
impotency is manifest.
THE SPANISH CABINETS PURPOSE
The understanding is. however, that the stress
laid by the Madrid Cabinet on alleged flibuster-
ing has another object than appears on the
surface The purpose is to offset the claims
Of American citizens for damages to their prop
erty In Cuoa. These claims All the pigeon-holes
or the State Department. They are not simply
for losses caused by the inability OF the Spanish
authorities to protect the plantations from the
insurgents Many claims are for property wan
tonly destroyed by the Spanish troops The
proof Is clear and irrefutable. The aggregate
Of damages is many million dollars.
Calderon Carlisle. the counsel Of the Spanish
Legation, has sought to offset these legitimate
claims Of American citizens by a counter-claim
for losses suffered by Spain through flibuster-
Ing expeditions fitted out in the ports of the
United States. 1t makes q formidable showing
on paper, but 10 not 30 considered by the State
Department. and would hardly be accepted by
an international tribunal