The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-07

strict upholding of what is believed to be
the right of it's merchant ships.
The understanding here was that she
had sailed from ST. Nazaire. France, not
from Corunna, Spain, as St. Nazaire is the
usual sailing port of steamers of this line
One of the officers of the legation made the
trip on one of these vessels n short time
ago, and says no stop Is made at Corunna,
except occasionally on a return voyage
1t was the understanding also that the
Lafayette was stopping at Havana merely
to recoal, prior to going to Vera Cruz,
Mexico the final destination of the liner.
| The French think that the Lafayette has
been delayed through a Misrepresentation,
and that her release will follow speedily
The grounds for this view are that she
sailed prior to the declaration of war and
therefore her captain could not know of
this declaration. 1t is pointed out that the
declaration of war was on April 25th, the
Presidents proclamation concerning the
right of neutrals was issued on the 26th,
and the official notice thereon signed by
Acting Secretary of State Adee and ad-
dressed to the Ambassadors and Ministers
here. including the French Ambassador,
bears date of April q. This, however, is
complicated by the fact that the Presi-
IL
April %. and the official notice to the
French and other embassies. signed by
Secretary Sherman, bears date of April 49,
Officers Indignant
KEY WEST, May 1.-THE officers of the
Lafayette say her detention will become n
international episode.
Ensign H. H. Ziegomeir, of the Annapo-
lis. who was In charge of the prize crew
on board the Lafayette, says that latters
commander denies that he has Spanish
soldiers on board. The French command
er, however, admits that he left Corunna
on April %, after the declaration of war,
and that he took on board many male
passengers. He feigns ignorance of the
nature Of his ships cargo and says he
will be unable to ascertain what she has
on board until he examines her manifest.
The Navy Department at Washington
has been communicated with and instruc-
lions as to the disposition of the French
steamer are eagerly awaited.
The officers of the Lafayette pretend to
be very indignant and declare that the
detention of the steamer will become an
international episode.
Owners Not Notified
NEW YORK, May Cat the office of
the French transatlantic line today, Cen
eral Traffic Manager Trevvoux said: 1--WE
have received no word from the captain OF
our vessel. In all probability the steamer
named in the Key West dispatches is ours,
as she left St. Nazaire on April q bound
for Vera Cruz.
ITO the best of my knowledge she car
red no cargo for Havana. If she has been
taken by the American fleet for trying to
enter Havana, she probably went there in
order to obtain a supply of coal. She had
been fourteen days out and her coal sup
ply must have been low. We don't re-
ceve advices Of the home office at Havre
regarding the movement of vessels of the
company engaged in the Mexican trade,
which accounts for lack of Information re-
garding the steamer"
Although Mr.. Trevvoux states that the
vessel was not bound for Havana, cable
reports published here show that the La
fayette sailed from Corunna, Spain, for
that port.
French Feeling
LONDON, May Especial dispatches
from Paris says the seizure of Lafayette
intensifies bitter feeling against the
United States. Angry expressions are
heard. The United States embassy is I'M
der special police protection. in view of
possible hostile demonstration.