The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1897-10-30
basis OF SPAINS REPLY
AS TO INTERNATIONAL LAW
Alleges That the United states Has
Not ReeR DtligeRt In Opposing
Observation-Disclosures Facts ON
the other side.

Washington, Oct. 26.-lt is not doubted
among officials here that the basis OF tbs
Spanish reply to Mr., Woodford's note wlll
be the charge that the United States had
not observed the requirements OF interna
tional law in the matter Of preventing
filibustering, 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
patty she may have contracted nom any
European nations on that score. II Is
asserted, positively, that in no single case
where the Spanish authorities have
brought to the attention Ot 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 1t has been 80 lndulgent IN
this respect as to accept statements from
the Spanish officials not accompanied by
proofs Of the facts alleged, but mere sug
gestions that they had reason to believe
that an expedition was formed. In some
cases our government has proceeded to
lengths in the restraint Of American CON
merce ON insufficient evidence furnished
by the Spanish government that has re
suited in the prefeTment OF large claims
by American vessels Tor Illegal detrn
ton.
An Expensive Patrol.
Then the expense OF maintaining the
patrol along the Atlantic and gull coast
has been heavy. Every time the state
department has been obliged to call ON a
collector OF port the result ha. been
heavy bill Of expenses for tugs, special
officials and other charges, while the at
tOrney generals office, and ia 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 nrcr.sity for
diyeTting vessels from other places tuF
the disagTeeable Florida patrol TN the
official estimates, the expense the | nltrd
States has been To protect the cuba coast
for Spain is about - $40 DOO Iht, t..
probably large estimate but one naval
officer, who i. thoroughly cuguiaut of
the strain put upon the department b.
the patrol stated that IL would REALLY br
cheaper for the United States 10 send q
deet TO Cuba and blockade the coast there
against incoming hlIbu,trr. than To- try
10 stop them ON our own extensive GOA It
line
Altogether the official. here are conf
dent Of their ability 10 show that the
government has more than complied With
the requirement.. Of the interna tional Law
which, ~ laid down in the NlItuull a.
bitration, simply demand, that a nation
use due diligence to prevent the il.
pnrturr u hostile expeditions.
Up to the cul,e of office hours t1,lAy
Spain'' reply on the Cuban question had
not reached the president or ,talr he
partment. II wa. stated IN other quar-
tiers that are in position to know u hat
occurred at Madrid, that the answer had
not been delivered 10 Minister Woodiord
up to today, II Ia. been approved bv
the cabinet, however, and i. to b. com
inundated to MIR Woodiord hate today or
tomorrow