The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-01-02
CHANCE FOR FILleusrERs.
yessei Laden with Arms TO lie Granted
Clearance Papers.

L
Clearance Papers.
Washington. Dec. 3i.--For the first
time since the present struggle in Cuba
/ began this government has given per-
mission 10 customs official 10 clear for
Cuba vessel loaded. according 10 her
\ manifest. with munitions OF war and
| presumably irsended for the insurgcnt
army. The vessel in this case is the
well-known and alleged tilibuster. the
| Dauntless.
But the concession that under these
circumstances she is entitled to clear
ance papers leaves the situation. as far
before. ms the statutes prescribe that
before clearances shall be granted for
any vessel bound TO foreign port. the
owners, shippers and consigners OF the
cargo shall state under oath the foreign
port at which the cargo Is TO be landed
and severe penalties are prescribed for
violations OF this requirement. including
the contiscation of the vessel.
The secretary OF the treasury re-
ceived telegram from the attorney
for the owners of the Dauutless at
OF the Dauntless and her cargo would
apply TO the collector of customs at
Jacksonville for clearance TO n Gu
ban port with a cargo of arms. stating.
however, that the oaths required by
the statutes would not be taken. The
question was asked whether, under
these circumstances, papers would be
issued.
Later In the day a telegram was re-
ceived by the collector at Jacksonville
stating that application TO clear the
Dauntless for the port OF Neuvitas.
Cuba. with n cargo of arms had been
made. and nslSing instructions.
The secretary replied substantially as
follows
III the master OF the vessel and the
owners, shippers and consigners OF the car
go comply with all the laws and regtila-
tions concerning the manifest. and take
the oath required. you may grant clear
ance TO Neuvitas, Cuba. The oath must
be taken and subscribed in writing.
qulred by sections 4.lg7. 4,l9s and i.2UO OF the
revised statutes"
The port named in the application as
the destination Of the cargo is on the
northern coast OF Cuba and is occupied
by the Spanish forces. The treasury
officials, therefore, are OF the opinion
that the oaths required by the statutes
will not be taken.
Washington, Dec. 31.-The recent re-
ports that the Spanish government was
endeavoring to secure the cooperation
of the great European powers TO pre-
vent by force. IL necessary, the inte:-
vention OF the United States i'm the
Cuban insurrection have no better au.
thority than many other startling ru-
mors that have been industriously cir
culated during the past few months.
There is authority for the statement
that the Spanish government is. gen
orally speaking. entirely satisfied with
the attitude of the United States with
reference TO the Cuban revolt If evil
dence were needed TO assure the world
that Spain can find no fault with the
attitude OF the Washington govern
ment IL will be found in the notifica-
tion which the Madrid foreign office has
made to the Spanish diplomatic repre-
SeRtatives in Great Britain and on the
continent. Through advices which
reached the state department Wednes-
day IL is learned that as soon as that
portion OF the presidents recent mes
snge to congress relating to the Cuban
situation had been translated copies
were sent to the Spanish ministers Mt
the various European capitals with the
added statement that the Spanish gov
eminent was entirely satisfied with the
presidents utterances. In these cir
cumstances the reports which convey
the impression that Spain is testing
the friendship Of the European powers
with view 10 securing their assist
ance in preventing an anticipated in
PREVENTION on the part OF this govern
ment are pronounced absurd.
Madrid, Dec. STA report OF an in
terview with ex-Premier Sugasia, the
leader of the Spanish liberals. Ia puh-
lished in III Liberal. i'm which Senior
Sagasta is reported as saying that Eu-
rope Is In sympathy with Spain i'm her
maintenance OF Spanish sovereignty I'm
Cuba, but that Europe also desires TO
see the establishment OF reforms I'm
Cuba. Senior Sngasta further expresses
bis belief that Premier Canovas only
awaits a report from Gen. Weylcr that
the Pinnr del Rio and Havana provinces
are cleared of rebels when he will intro
duce reforms in Cuba which will vir-
tually be tantamount to autonomy.
The ex-premier further says that Capt.
Gen. Weyler himself Is the chief obstacle
10 the qualification OF the island. he be-
ing impotent TO quell the rebellion,
and he believes that the insurgents will
rcappear In the Pinar del Rio pros ince
Us soon as the Spanish troops are with
drawn.
pARDON PEEIieEO