Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-08

other than a violation of the British for
eign enlistment act. AS Spain has suffered
no injury from these forty-three failures,
it is assumed that they will De accepted by
Spain as evidence Of the success of the
United States in maintaining lis oDliga-
tions and that a detailed statement con-
cerning each is unnecessary.
Weakness of Spanish Patrol.
Secretary Gage then examines in detail
the seventeen alleged successful expedi-
tions. He points out that the partial sue
cess in one case was due to the weakness
Of the Spanish patrol Of the Cuban coast.
That in one case the Spanish authorities
at New Yory have exonerated the officers
of the treasury from all responsibility.
That in one case the Spanish minister
disagrees with the legal adviser Of the
Spanish legation, and also disagrees with
himself as to the date Of the alleged sue
cessful expedition, and the department has
no Information warranting it to request
that any proceedings be instituted.
That in three cases the vessels have been
wrecked and proceedings against them are
obviously impracticable, while the principal
IN one case IS imprisoned, as below.
That in five cases the principals have
been sentenced to imprisonment or are in
prison.
That in one case the vessel is under
British Jurisdiction. and cannot, therefore,
be reached by the United States while the
principal has been sentenced to imprison-
ment in this country, as above.
That in three cases the vessels have been
libeled for forfeiture on evidence furnished
in part by this department. and are await
ing the action of the courts
That in one case the officers are under
indictment.
That In one case the libel on the vessel
was dismissed by the United States district
judge.
That in one case the question of institute
ing proceedings Is under consideration.
That in one case the department asks
time fer further investigation
Cmse of the silver Heels
The case Of the Silver Heels is included,
as the vessel may have been successful
though nothing has been heard of her since
her departure. six weeks ago; she may
have perished in the severe storm a few
days after her departure. Concerning that
case. however. it is to be observed that the
collector at New York reports:
Mr. Hani. representing the Spanish con-
SUI, stated to ME that he did not desire the
vessel detained at dock. but seized after de-
parture therefrom. Mr.. Hand and Mr.
Thornhill stated to me that they proposed
that the Pinkerton detective agency have
the watching of the pier, and they would
advise the United States marshal promptly
OF the departure of the sioop. They seemed
most anxious that this part of the affair
be left entirely to them: and it impressed
there would be less chance of a failure il
their own men were assigned to this par
ticular duty: and. second that they feared
their plan of allowing the vessel to leave
the dock might be interfered with if this
detail were in charge of a customs officer.
l made the suggestion that the vessel could
no doubt be detained at the dock, ami tha.
we might seek advice on this point from
the United States district attorney. Mr..
Hand objected to this. and stated unquali-
fiedly that they desired the vessel to BE-
taken after she had left her BERTH
And the surveyor of the port adds:
investigation shows that instead of the
Information being telephoned direct to the
barge office which would have taken less
than five minutes, 1t was first sent to 81
Broadway, the office of the Pinkerton
agency. from Catherine and Market streets,
and thence to the barge office by messen-
ger. This proceeding consumed about
twenty minutes. during which time the tug
and sloop, having the wind and tide in
their favor, secured sufficient lead to pre-
vent their being overtaken."
Secretary Gage makes no estimate of the
cost involved, which has evidently been very
large, deemipg the extent and results OF
The work performed by the department
better measure of the fidelity of its off,
GERS to their oaths and a better standard
by which to measure their efficiency.