The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-12-09

Available on Atlantic Coast for Filibus-
terine Purposes Succeeded in Avoiding
Revenue Cutters is Taken as Demonstra-
tion of Nations Law-Abidlng Spirit.
Washington, Dec. S.-Secretary Gage
has submitted to the department of
state his report upon the action Of the
treasury department in suppressing fill
clustering expeditions to Cuba in viola
tion Of the neutrality laws. Secretary
Gage points out that during two years
and a half only six American vessels
OF an aggregate Of 1881 registered tons
are alleged to have successfully landed
expeditions from the United States in
Cuba.
With the exception of the Laurada
the six American vessels alleged to have
successfully taken part in the eXpedl-
ton in Cuban waters are small tugs and
q pilot boat each of less than 100 net
tons and obviously incapable of carry
ing large numbers of men or large
quantities of arms and ammunitions.
Three foreign vessels of an aggregate
of LIZ registered tons are alleged to
have been successful in the same effort.
With the vessels referred to 1t is al
legged there have been associated about
dozen harbor tugs, three or four
lighters, few small steamers and
about a dozen small sloops and schoon-
crs, in all less than fifty.
On the Atlantic and Gulf coast in
1896 there were 1868 sailing vessels
o,,I stalr m,
vessels Of 1000 tons or less, a total of
1855 American vessels of a description
and locality available for filibustering
purposes. That only six out of 1885
American vessels succeeded in reaching
Cuba and that less than fifty had any
share in these expeditions, Secretary
Gage says is a demonstration, first, Of
the law abiding spirit Of the nation
and of the obedience of the people to
the presidents proclamation and sec
ond, of wholesome and repressive fear
on the part of those who might be dis
posed to be lawless and violate our OBJ
legations as a neutral nation and of a
belief that their efforts would be frus-
trated by the authorities of the United
States and that the risk Of discovery
and punishment, greatly outweighed
ally high money rewards offered to ves-
sci owners by the Cubans.
Eight revenue cutters with crews of
317 men, armed with fifteen guns have
cruised 6,76S miles, occupying 139
months in the aggregate, patrolling the
coast to prevent filibustering expedi-
tionns. They have captured seven ves-
sells and lis men; have broken up two
4 expeditions and have held under sur
veillance thirteen of the vessels under
suspicion. Perhaps the strongest state
ment is this: eff the Spanish patrol
Of 2270 miles of Cuban coast had frus-
trated one-half the number of expedi.
tions which were frustrated by the
United States authorities along a coast
line of $40 miles, not one man nor one
cartridge would have been illcitlJ
landed in Cuba from the United States
in Cuba.
Illustrating this statement the secre
tary refers particularly to the expedi
ton that left on the Laurada from Bal.
timore and landed at Banes on Marcf
81 Banes Is an important seaport or
the northern coast of Cuba with which
the United States carried on a valuable
fruit trade until the Spanish order pro
hibiting the export of bananas issued
1t appears that the IIaurada remained
in this port two days, landing men ant
arms and was not molested by thu
Spanish authorities In Cuba, who hat
been informed of her leaving. Unless
Spain is prepared to avow inability o.
indisposition to defend her interests il
Cuba. Secretary Gage holds that th
responsibility for the success of thi
oynadition NAV rrOparly he fixed uDOI
Spanish officials in Cuba who had beef
fully informed by the Spanish legation
The Spanish authorities have repeatedl
asserted that all of the seaports il
Cuba were in their possession.