The herald., 1897-12-27
CRUISERS
KEPT BUSY
Blocking the Plans of the
FilibuSters
SUSPECTED CRAFT SEARCHED
BUT CoNTRABAND GOODS ARE
NOT FOUND
Leading Spanish Newspapers Urge
Resistance to United States
Interference
BUT CoNTRABAND GOODS ARE
NOT FOUND

Associated Press Special Wire
MOBILE, Ala, Dec. 26.-If pilot boat
Somers N. Smith of Pensacola gets out of
this port with filibustering expedition,
she will have to run over the cutter Sew
ard in the river and cruiser off the bar.
The Smith was brought here In August
last, was docked and black-leaded. had
speed wheel put in, and also took of
the figure from her smokestack, and
went to sea at night, bound, rumor
afterward said, to Cuba with so men on
board and lot Of arms and ammunition.
No trace of this expedition was found,
however, and VIM. Bazzelle, commodore
of the Pensacola Pilots association. pre-
sumably the owner Of the tug, denied
emphatically that the Smith was in the
f1libustering business. Two weeks ago
the tug reappeared in Pensacola and
came Immediately under suspicion, the
papers there saying the cruiser Mont
gomery was on watch over her. The pa
pers also said that the Smith needed
docking for repairs, but that the Mobile
docks were too busy to take her. Never
theless, she arrived here Thursday and
went on the Mobile ways, at the foot of
Augusta street, to be repainted. The
manager Of the ways says the paint on
her does not need renewing 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
H-I or< ,frrk1f a nd
lector was notified to be on the lookout
for filibusters.
United States Marshal Simmons went
on board the tug today and had the boat
searched, but nothing was found on
board. Bazzelle, 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 anchor
just opposite the exit from the marine
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 "a
hours.
FRUITLESS SEARCHES
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Dec. ga
special to the Times-Un and Citizen
from Punta Gorda states that the cruis-
er Montgomery and cutters Forward
and McLane arrived in Charlotte harbor
this morning in search of a filibustering
expedition that was reported to be about
to set sail for Cuba Vessels In port
were searched, but nothing of contra
band nature was found.
DAMAGES CLAIMED
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26-Secretary Of
State Sherman was seen tonight regard
ing story cabled from Madrid to the
effect that the United States had de-
manded of Spain $4,000, 900 indemnity to
American traders for damages sustained
through the rebellion in Cuba. The secre-
tary stated that If any such demand had
been made he had not heard of it.
Judge Day, assistant secretary Of
state said:
$50 far as I know, there is absolutely
nothing in the story. Some one may
have attempted to foot up the individual
claims that have been filed, but, even on
that supposition, should not attempt
to say their estimate was correct"
At the Spanish legation 1t 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.
MORE WAR TALK
MADRID, Dec. 26.-Today Impartial
urged that, in view of the character Of
the reply Of United States Minister
Woodford to the note of the Spanish
government in answer to the first COM
munication by the American govern
ment by him, it is necessary to increase
the Spanish fleet against the eventuality
of conflict with the United States.
Ell Heraldo says: "The encroachments
OF the United States upon the internal
policy Of Spain have become intolera BILE
and must be resisted energetically. 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"
GERMANS BANQUETED
HAVANA, Dec. 26.-Tonight Captain
General Blanco gave a banquet to the
officers of the German corvette Stein.
Forty guests were present, including the
Spanish admiral, the mayor of Havana
and other naval and civil authorities.
Congressman William Henry King Of
Utah has arrived here.
WOODFORD'S NOTE
LONDON, Dec. 26.-The Madrid cor
respondent of the Daily Mail says: Gen.
Woodford's note differs greatly from the
first he presented, and contains several
statements that should be refuted. It Is
inspired. on the whole, by the sentiments
pervading President McKinley's mes
sage.
Senior Gullon, the minister of foreign
affairs, will reply. traversing the points
raised.
Ate Up the Candy
MILWAUKEE,. Wis. Dec. GA large
cinnamon bear, which was shipped by
oYnrAaa from Y.oovauu,ov%hs Ho. a.