Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-12-09
SPAIN'S OWN FAULT.
Secretary Cages Report on
Suppression Of fi|ibustering.
Had Spain Done 0ne-Ha|f the Work
Uncle Sam Has Done
Not a Man or Cartridge Would Have illegally
Landed in Cuba.

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has submitted to the department of
state his report upon the action of the
treasury department in suppressing fill
clustering expeditions to Cuba in vio-
lation of the neutrality laws. Secre-
tary Gage points out that during q.
years only six American vessels of an
aggregate of 1881 registered tons are
alleged to have successfully landed ex-
petitions from the United States Il:
Cuba. With the exception of the Lau
rada, the six American vessels alleged
TO have successfully taken part in the
expeditions in Cuban waters are small
tugs and pilot boat, each cf less than
100 net tons and obviously incapable
of carrying large numbers Of men or
large quantities of arms and ammuni
ton. Three foreign vessels Of an ag-
sregate of 1T72 registered TONS are al
legged to have been successful in the
same effort.
Referring to these foreign vessels,
the Norwegian steamer Leon. the Dan
ish steamer Horsa, and the British
steamer Bermuda, the secretary say
that the crews of these vessels are re-
quired to be shipped before the con
suls of their respective nations in ac
cord with the laws of those nations
which also impose on the masters of
these vessels various other duties to be
performed before the consuls. He sus
gests the inquiry might be pertinent
whether the Spanish authorities in
formed these consuls of the alleged eX-
petitions, and whether. If not, some
measure of responsibility does not rest
on the Spanish authorities for the al
legged departure of these vessels, or ii
the consuls were notified, whether
some measure of responsibility does
not rest upon them.
With the vessels referred to it is alleged
there have been associated about a dozen
harbor tugs. three or four lighters. Il few
small steamers and about Il dozen small
sloops and schooners in all less than 30.
On the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in 1896
there were 1066S sailing vessels under 200
tons and 29ll steam vessels of 1000 tons or
less. total of Is. 5S5 American vessels of
the description and locality available for
filibustering purposes. That only six out
of 13,5S5 American vessels succeeded in
reaching Cuba and that less than 80 had
any share in these expeditions. Secretary
Gage says is demonstration. first, of
the law-abiding spirit of the nation and
of the obedience of the people to the
Presidents proclamation. and. second. of
wholesome and represSive fear on the
part of those who might be disposed to
be less obedient and violate our obliga-
tiOns as neutral nation and of a belief
that their efforts would be frustrated by
the authorities of the United States. and
that the risk of discovery and punishment
greatly Outweighed any chance of profit
from the exceptionally high money re-
wards offered to vessel owners by the
Cubans.
Eight revenue cutters with crews of 81
men. armed with 155 guns. have cruised
1865 miles. occupying 139 months in the
aggregate. patrolling the coast TO prevent
filibustering expeditions. They have cap
tured seven vessels and 10 men: have
broken up two expeditions and have held
under surveillance Is of the vessels under
suspicion.
Perhaps the strongest statement in the
report is this: IF the Spanish patrol of
2290 miles of Cuban coast had frustrated
one-half the number of expeditions which
were frustrated by the United States au-
thorities along coast line of $40 miles
not one man nor one cartridge would have
been illicitly landed in Cuba from the
United States. Out of GO alleged expedi-
tions only four have been broken up by
Spain
illustrating the statement the secre-
tary refers particularly to the expedition
that left on the Laurada from Baltimore
and landed at Banes. March q. Banes is
an important seaport on the northern
coast of Cuba. with which the United
States carried on a valuable fruit trade
until the Spanish order prohibiting the
expectation of bananas was issued. Yet
it appears that the Laurada remained in
this port two days. landing men and
arms, and was not molested by the Span
ish authorities in Cuba. who had been in
formed of her leaving the United States.
Unless Spain is prepared to avow ina
bility or indisposition to defend her inter-
ests in Cuba. Secretary Gage holds that
the responsibility for the success of this
expedition may properly be fixed upon
Spanish officials in Cuba, who had been
fully informed by the Spanish legation.
The Spanish authorities have repeatedly
asserted that all of the seaports in Cuba
were in their possession.