Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-10-29
BASIS Of SPANS REPLY
AS TO INTERNATIONAL LAW
Alleges That the United states Has
Not heen Mltgent In Opposing
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Facts ON
the Other side.

Washington, Oct. 26.-lt is not doubted
among officials here that the basis Of the
Spanish reply to MIR. Woo.lford's note will
be the charge that the United States had
not observed the requirements of interna.
honal law in the matter Of preventing
fiibustering. In this case the state de-
partment will have some pertinent facts
to present, which its officials believe will
completely ALLEVIATE from Spain any sym.
pathy she may have contracted from any
European nations on that score. II is
asserted. positively, that in no single case
where the Spanish authorities have
brought to the attention of our govern.
ment the fact that an Illegal expedition
was about to start from our shores for
Cuba, has il neglected to use all the
means permitted by our laws to prevent
the start. II has been 50 indulgent In
this respect as to accept statements from
the spanish officials not accompanied by
proofs of the facts alleged, hut mere sug
gestions that they had reason to believe
that an expedition WAS formed. In some
cases our government has proceeded to
lengths III the restraint of American COM
n'erce on insufficient evidence furnished
by the Spanish government that has re-
suited in the prcferinent Of large claims
by American vessels for illegal deten.
ton.
An Expensive Patrol.
Then the expense Of maintaining the
patrol along the Atlantic and gulf coast
has been heavy. Every time the state
department has been obliged to call on
collector of n port the result has been
heavy bill of expenses for tugs, special
officials and other charges. while the ut.
toney generals office. and in fact most
OF the executive departments have been
| put to more or less trouble and expense
The navy department especially have
been embarrassed to the necessity fol
diverting vessels from other places fol
the disagrceable Florida patrol On the
official estimates. the expense the United
States has been to protect the Cuba coast
for Spain is about $2,OOO.OOO. This il
probably large estimate but one naval
officer. who is thoroughly cognixant Of
the strain put upon the department by
the patrol stated that it would really bt
cheaper for the United States To send q
fleet to Cuba and blockade the coast there
against incoming filibusters than to try
to stop them on our own extensive coast
line.
Altogether the officials here are conf
dent Of their ability to show that thu
government has more than complied Will
the requirements Of the Internal ional law
which. as laid down in the Alabama ar
bitration. simply demands that a natio,
''use due diligence to prevent the de
parture of hostile expeditions.
Up to the colse Of office hours toda,
SPANS reply on the Cuban question hat
not reached the president or state dc
partment. II was stated in other qua
tiers that are in position to know wha
occurred at Madrid. that the answer ha.
not been delivered to Minister Woodfor,
up to today. II has been approved b,
the cabinet. however, and is to be com
municated to Mr.. Woodforl hate today o
tomorrow.