Evening journal., 1898-05-07
LAFAYETTE LET co.
Capture Of the French Mail
Steamer a Mistake.
HAD PERMISSION TO PASS BLOCKADE
Carried No Contraband Articies-Span-
iards Frightened Into Mysteries by
Commodore's salute Coiored In-
fantry Goes to Tampa.

KEY WEST, May 7.-Commodore
Watson yesterday afternoon received
orders from Washington TO release in
stantly the French mail steamer La
fayette and to send her to Havana un-
der escort.
The capture Of the Frenchman by the
gunboat Annapolis turns out to have
been an unfortunate incident result
ing from mistake. but no protest has
been made TO the representatives Of
the French government I'm the United
States.
The officials here declare that this
will close the affair II appears that
before the Lafayette sailed for Havana
the French legation in Washington was
instructed TO communicate with the
state department.
This was done and permission grant
ed to the steamer to enter and dis
charge her passengers and cargo, with
the understanding that she would take
on nothing there. Instructions for the
fulfllment of this agreement were sent
from Washington to Admiral Samp-
sons squadron, and it was only learn
ed yesterday, after the capture was
made, that they were never delivered.
Yesterday afternoon United States
Commissioner Otto, United States Dis
trict Attorney Stripping and a number
Of other federal officials went out to
the Lafayette, examined her papers and
cabled the state department for in
structions. These came without delay
in the form of an order to Commodore
Watson.
The United States authorities who ex-
amined the Lafayette yesterday say
that, 50 far as the ships manifest
shows, she carries no contraband Of
war, but with such an immense cargo
It was impossible to make a thorough
/ inspection. They saw nothing In the
nature of arms or ammunition on
board. Her release constitutes the first
official act of Commodore Watson in his
new command OF this division Of Admit
raj SIMPSONS fleet. He arrived on the
Olvette yesterday and Immediately
went on board the cruiser Cincinnati,
where he hoisted his flag.
Yesterday afternoon the ships in the
harbor doomed a cofnmodore's salute Of
II guns. This customary act of courte-
sy to a new commanding officer had a
distressing effect on the Lafayette's
passengers. The federal officials were
dining with Captain Chaplela at the
T Ailiit anu ouuQtlll1 HlOullu themselves III
the midst OF a panic. The Spaniards
yelled that the enemy had opened fire,
and they scampered about the decks to
find places Of shelter. Some of them
burst frantically into the captains
cabin. where he was at dinner with his
visitors. and begged the Americans to
save their lives. one Mexican woman.
wife Of a Spanlard. who was seized with
spasms when the Annapolis held up the
Lafayette duplicated the performance
when the salute was fired. and for some
time It was feared her life was in dam
ger.
Commodore Remey arrived on the
Mascotte yesterday afternoon. While
nothing official can be learned as to
whether he Will take command Of the
second division of the fleet, IT is said
on good authority that his assignment
is to assume control Of the naval sta
tlon here.
Companies A and C Of the Twenty
fifth infantry (colored) did not go to
the Tortugas Thursday evening, as was
expected, but left last night to join the
other troops at Tampa, Fla.
The reports from the blockade line
yesterday are that the situation is un-
changed. The smaller cruisers are still
lined up, with the gunboat Annapolis
acting as flagship.