Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-09
SECRETARY GAGE REPORTS EF-
FORTS AT SUPPRESSION.
SIX SUCCESSFUL EXPEDITIONS
SPANIARDs HAVE NOT DONE THEIR
SHARE OF WATCHING.
United States Guarded $40 Miles Of
Coast Line and Spain 1900 Miles
-Of Al Expeditions Frust-
rated, Spain stopped
Only Four.

Washington, Dec. s.-Secretary Gage has
submitted to the department of state his
repcrt upon the action of the treasury de-
rartment in suppressing flibustering eA-
petitions to Cuba in violation of the neu-
trslity laws.
Secretary Gage points out the fact that
during two years and a half only SIX
American vessels, of an aggregate OF 1851
registered tons, are alleged to have sue
cessfully landed expeditions from the Unit
ed States in Cuba. Three foreign vessels
of an aggregate of lib tons are alleged
to have been successful in the same effort.
Referring to these foreign vessels, the Nor
wegian steamer Leon. the Danish steamer
Horsa and the British steamer Bermuda,
the secretary invites attention to the fact
that the crews of these vessels are required
TO be shipped before the consuls OF their
respective nations, in accordance with the
laws of those nations. which also impose
on the masters of those vessels various
other duties to be performed by the con-
suls. He suggests the inquiry might be
pertinent whether the Spanish authorities
informed these consuls of the alleged ex-
petitions. and whether. If not. some meas
ure of responsibility does not rest on the
Spanish authorities for the alleged depart
ure of these vessels. or, if the consuls were
notified, whether the same measure OF re-
sponsibility does not rest upon them. This
suggestion is made, not to shift RESPONSE
biity, but to show that II these alleged
expeditions started without the knowledge
of treasury officials, they also departed
without the knowledge of officials OF other
nations whose action was a necessary pre-
liminary to clearance.
On the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in 1885,
there were 1.6S8 vessels under 200 tons and
217 vessels of 1,100 tons or less, total of
3,5S5 American vessels of a description and
locality available for tilibustering purposes.
That only six out of 13,5S5 American ves-
sells succeeded in reaching cuba, and that
| less than fifty had any share in these ex-
petitions. Secretary Gage says, is a dem
onstration. first of the law-abidng 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 lawless and violate our obligations
! as a neutral nation.
Eight revenue cutters, with crews of 3l7
men, armed with fifteen guns. have cruised
75.7SS miles. occupying 1S9 months in the
| aggregate, patrolling the coast to prevent
filibustering expeditions. They have capt
ured seven vessels and LIS men; have brok-
| en- up two expeditions, and have held under
| surveillance thirteen vessels under sus-
picion.
Perhaps the strongest statement in the
report is this: "If the Spanish patrol of
| 200 miles of Cuban coast had frustrated
| one-half the number of expeditions which
| were frustrated by the United States au-
| thorities, along coastline of $40 miles.
| not one man nor one cartridge would have
been illicitly landed in Cuba from the
United States. Out of the sixty alleged
expeditions only four have been broken up
by Spain. ~''&''
In all, sixty alleged expeditions are ex.
| amined. OF these Secretary Gage shows
that all but seventeen have been failures
He then examines in detail the seventeen
| alleged successful expeditions. He points
| out that the partial success In one case was
due to the weakness Of the Spanish patro
| of the Cuban coast; that in one case the
| Spanish authorities at New York have ex.
onerated the officials of the treasury de-
partment from all responsibility; that in one
case the Spanish minister disagrees with the
legal adviser of the Spanish legation, ant
also disagrees with himself, as to the date
of the alleged successful expedition, anC
the department has no information war.
| ranting 1t to make a request Inat any pro-
| ceeding be instituted: that in three case:
the vessels have been wrecked, and pro.
ceedIngs against them are obviously i'm
practicable. while the principal In one cast
Is imprisoned, as below; that in five case.
the principals have been sentenced to i'm
prisonment, or are In prison; that in one
case the vessel is. under British jurisdic
ton and cannot. therefore, be reached by
the United States, while the prin
cipal has been sentenced to i'm
prisonment in this country, as above
that in three cases the vessel:
have been libeled for forfeiture on evi
dence furnished in part by this department
and are awaiting the action of the courts
that in one case the officers are under in
dictment; that in one case the libel on thu
vessel was dismissed by the United State:
district judge; that in one case the ques
ton of instituting proceedings is undel
considerations: that in one case the depart
ment asks time for a further investiga
ton. The case of the Silver Heels is in
cluded in the vessels that may have beer
successful, though nothing has been heart
from her since her departure six weeks
ago; she may have perished in the Sc
we're storm a few days after her departure
| Secretary Gage makes no estimate of th
cost involved. which has evidently beel
large. deeming the extent and results o
the work performed by the department
better measure of the fidelity of it's Off
GERS to their oaths and Il better standar,
| by which to measure efficiency.