The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-07
HER RELEASE ORDERED.


Key West, Fla. May G.-6:20 D. IN. L
Commodore Watson this afternoon re-
ceved orders from Washington to in
stantly relase the French mail steamer
La Fayette and to send her to Havana
under escort.
ne capture of the Frenchman by The
gunboat Annapolis turns out to have
been an unfortunate incident, resulting
from mistakes; but no protest has been
made TO the representatives of the
French Government in the United
States. The officials here declare that
this will close the affair. 1t appears
that before the la Fayettc sailed for
Havana. the French Legation in WASH
inston was instructed to comnfunicate
with the State Department.
This was done and permission grant
ed TO the steamer to enter and discharge
her passengers and cargo. with the un-
derstanding that she would take on
nothing there. Instructions for the full
filment of this agreement were sent from
Washington to Admiral SamDson's
squadron, and it was only learned tos
day. after he capture was made, that
they were never delivered.
This afternoon United States Commits
sioner Otto. United States District At
torney Stripping and number of other
Federal officials went out TO the Ia
Fayette, examined her papers and ca
bled the State Department for instruc.
tions. They came without DELAY i'm the
form of the order to Commodore Wat
son.
of the 16S passengers on board the La
Fayettc, 1G are for Havana, nearly all
being young Spaniards, who say they
are going to Cuba to engage in mercan.
tile pursuits. When surprise was dis
played that such was their mission at
this time, they merely shrugged their
sholders, and youchsafed no further ex-
planation.
One Cuban was aboard who was re-
turning to join the insurgent army. He
was banishcd from the island seven
months ago, but came within the terms
OF General Blanco's armistice just before
the war begun. He was overjoyed when
toid that he would be taken with the
regular United States troops when they
moved. The local junta took him in
charge and he leaves for Tampa Tonight.
The United States authorities who ey
amlned the La Fayette to-day say that
carries no contraband of war: but with
such an immense cargo it was impossibIe
to make II thorough inspection. They
saw nothing i'll the nature of arms q,
ammunition on board. Her release con
stitutes the first official act of Commo
dore Watson in his new command of this
division of Admiral SIMPSONS fleet He
arrived on the Olivette to-day and inn
medlately went on board the cruiser Gin
cinnati, where he hoisted his flag.
The ships III the harbor doomed n com
morores salute of il guns this after
noon. This customary act of courtesv to
a new commanding officer had n dis
tresshg effect on the La Fayetta's pas
sengers. The Federal officials were din
ing with Captain Chapleta at the time
ana suddenly found themselves in the
midst OF a panic. The Spaniards yelled
that the enemy had opened fire. and they
scampcred about the decks to find nlaces
OF shelter. Some of them burst franti-
cally into the captains cabin whore hc
was ut dinner with his visitors and
begged the Americans to save their lives.
Unc Mexican woman, wife of n Span-
lard, who was seized with n snosm whom
the Annapolis held up the Tn rovettc
yesterday, duplicated the performance
when the salute was fired ana for some
time it was feared her life was in dan
ger.
Commodore Remey arrived ON the
Mascotte this afternoon. While nothins
ofnclai can be learned as to whether he
wli take command of the second divis-
ION OF the fleet. it is said on good authori-
INA. ms assignment is to assume con-
trol OF the naval station hero
Companies A. and G. of tho r,,.o,+n
Fifth Infantry (colored did NOT ,,n r.
the Iortugas last evening nc wos ~
pected, but win leave tonight to ioin
the other troops at Tampa.
Inc reports from the blockade line 70.
day are that the situation Is nnchanoed
Inc smaller cruisers are still lined mn.
flagship. 0'''s