The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-07

Copyrighted. lS9s, by the Associated Press.
ON BOARD ASSOCIATED PRESS DIS
PATCH BOAT KATE SPENCER. via
Key Wes;, May 6.-The Lafayette. of tho
French General Transatlantic Company's
line. vessel OF 1894 tons gross register.
bound from Corunna. Spain, April ., for
Havana, was captured yesterday evening
Off the latter port by the gunboat Annap-
oils. Commander Hunker, while trying to
run the blockade, after having previously
been warned off. She has on board a
large number of passengers and val
nab.e cargo. possibly containing contra
band of war. The capture was effected
shortly before sundown last night in the
following manner:
The Lafayette was headed for Havana
and was boarded by an officer of the An
napolis and warned not to enter the port.
She afterward made an attempt to do
so aud was captured after an exciting
chase. The Wilmington, Newport and
Merrill took part in the capture of the
Frenchman. After an examination o. the
Lafayette's papers a prize crew from the
Annapolis was placed on board and she
was sent TO Key West. escorted by the
Wilmington. Previous 10 this step be-
fng taken. Commander Hunker. temporary
fag officer. and Commander Todd. OF the
Wilmington, exchanged signals for over
an hour. An international question was
thought 20 be involved but it was SEEM
ingly finally decided to send her to Key
West.
The fact that she LEFT a Spanish por.
after the declaration Of war seems 10
warrant the holding of the Lafayette. 1t
is reported that the Lafayette, In addl-
lion 10 being French maii steamer. is
French naval reserve vessel, mounting
guns and carrying a crew sufficient to
make her ready for active service at sbor.
notice. THIS. Il is said, adds considerably
10 the gravity of the international aspec,
OF the case.
The big kropp guns on the battery were
silent and pretty effect was caused by
The white smoke wreaths curling up from
iae little settlement of Coiamar. rising
faintiy against the green slopes of tf,a
Cuban hills.
suddenly the feeling OF calm vas broken
hy the electric call Of "a chase" which
re-echoed to the Spencer. The Annano-
It's had put her helm hard a-s;a rboard
and was putting on fuii steam AMI c,eav-
ing the waters in a northeast direction.
The stranger came up rapidly. even with
'he stay line. and the marine glasses soon
mace her out TO be big liner headed
straight Tor Havana.
On she came under fun steam. There
seemed io be no doubt that the stranger
vas bsnt on running through the block
aiding squadron and getting under the guns
of More castle. Il possible. before being
oyerhaule,l.
But within five minutes. from, as MAN,
d;6eren1 directions. three OF Uncle Sans
warships joined IN the attempt 10 block
the strangers entrance to Havana. While
the Annapolis wss rushing down upon the
rhase. ia The distance the Wilmington and
ihe Newport were also bearing down unon
her. and the Merrill. which had f,ssn ra~-
irS ap towards -ae Associated Press ai4.
patch boat a,so swung around across the
path Of tae rner. a scr; Of DAVID chal-
iens.ng Goliath, far ;fe Merrill Is d srnar.
little revenue cutter now acting a. A dis
patch boat and = member 0f the su-called
mosquito feet.
The Annapolis. however haa he5a do.ag