The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-26

SPANS GREAT TROUBLE.
The Washington Officials Say They
Are Not NesDOnsIble for II.

Washington. October % 1t is not
doubted among officials that the basis OF
the Spanish reply to Mr.. Woodford's note
will be the charge that the United States
has not observed the requirements Of in
ternatonal law In the matter OF prevent
ing nlibustering, In this case the State
department viii have some pertinent facts
to present, which It's officials believe will
completely ALLEVIATE from Spain any sym
pathy that she may have attracted from
other European nations on that score.
II is asserted that in no case where
the Spanish authorities have brought to
tho attention OF our government the fact
that an Illegal expedition was about TO
start from our shores for Cuba has it neg
iected to use all the means permitted by
our laws to prevent the start. II has
been so indulgent In this respect as to ac-
oept statements from the Spanish officials
not accompanied by proofs Of the facts
alleged. In some cases our government
mas proceeded 10 al considerable length in
restraint OF American commerce on Insult
hcient evidence furnished by the Spanish
government that resulted in the preference
OF large claims by American ship owners
Tor Illegal detention OF their ships. Then
the expenses of maintaining the patrols
along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts have
been very heavy. The navy department,
especially, has been embarrassed, owing to
me necessity for diverting vessels from
other places for the Florida patrol. One
OF the authorities estimates the expense
winch the government has been put 10 tn
protect Cuban coast for Spain at about
S2,000 400.
Altogether. the officials here are conf
dent OF their ability to show that tho gov
eminent has more than complied with the
requirements OF international law which.
rs laid down In the Alabama regulation.
simply demands that nation "use dill
sence to prevent the departure OF hostile
expeditions.
On this phase Of the correspondence. II
may ne Kept alive between tho State de-
partment and the Spanish government TIL
congress meets. but II is expected that un..
TESS the results In the direction suggested
py Mr. Wocdfcrd are forthcoming by thar
uine, the president viii refer tho entire
matter TO congress and await Its order. I'm
TO the close of Office hours TODAY Snnin,s
reply bad not been presented at the state
department. II was stated also in other
quarters by those in position TO know
""ee oeVuireu al MADRID that the answer
had not been delivered to Minister Wood
iofd up to today 1t has been approved
ny the cabinet, however, and is tn he com
municated to Minister Woodford late "a.
day TO tomorrow.
denial was made by Minister puo,v do
LONE mat he had intimated 10 the state
department that Spain would resort 70 M,
s'aren and seizure of suspected America,
vessels on the high seas II filibustering ey
peuiuens continued :, leave the country.
as said, Prerequisite to such action
would be announced by Spain Of the block
aae OF all the ports of Cuba ana certainly
no step along such radical lines has besY,
proposed so far. 'e''
me diplomatic procedure. in connection
WIN SPANS reply TO the Woodford note
10 mat " viii be communicated 10 him
oy me minister OF foreign sffairs M Ma.
CRU ~ VIII not be- sent 10 Minister A
LONE, as 1t is distinctly a part NJ c,,' NC
munieation between Minister Woodfnra
anu the Madrid officials. As intima,,ons
nave been made that the instructions -
Minister Woodford would be made nub,tS,
~ Madrid the statement was m,de H., =,
neiais here that no publication OF ,hs IN.
structions before the assemblaxe Of c,n-
sless would he approved by The IynIta,
STATES, and with disappruyal II ,y,u,d he
contrary to the usages ~ diplomacy Tor ~
respondence VIC cH-