The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-17
GIVEN The SLIP.
The Yosemite Lets a Rich Cargo
Pass By
In Spanish Vessel Loaded
With Food For Blanco.
SHE LEFT KINGSTON
Bound For One of the Cuban
Ports.
Sampson is Warned and is
Watching For Her.

Kingston, Jamaica, June 1.-THE cap
tain and officers of the auxiliary cruiser
Yosemite, formerly Ell Rio, feel foolish
and are thoroughly vexed. AS the Yose-
mite approached Port Royal about s
O'Clock this morning she passed a large
steamer going out. No attempt was
made to ascertain her name but on
arriving here the Yosemite captain
learned that the steamer was the
Purisima Conception. The Yosemite
with other American cruisers had been
especially warned about this steamer
as she would be rich prize. She is
said to have 500, 900 in gold on board
Her cargo of food and medicine is des-
tined ultimately for Cienfuegos and
Havana 1t is by no means certain
that the auxiliary cruiser Prairie, form
erly FL Sol. will catch her though the
Prairie was yesterday evening in the
course the Purisima Conception was
taking this morning.
The Spanish steamer Puricima Con-
cepcion loaded with food for Manza-
Milo left Kingston at o'clock this
morning, taking a westward course.
The colonial authorities ignored the
protest of the United States consul gen
era1 as not based on sufficient evidence
and gave the ship her clearance.
The Purisima Conception arrived at
Kingston in the latter part of May
from Manzanillo, with a Sanish COM
missary officer IL disguise. seeking
large amount, which had been obtained
elsewhere. But at Kingston she began
at once to take on flour, corn and rice,
purchasing in all 1850 bags Of corn from
Jamaican merchants
The colonial authorities were inform
ed by her owners that clearance papers
would be asked for a n-blockaded
port, like ManzaniIlo, on the south
coast, on the bay of Guanayaro.
United States Consul Dent made rep
reservations to the government of the
island against the vessel and a careful
inquiry was instituted, the authorities
promising that if Mr.. Dent could fur
nish specific proof that her captain in
tended to run for a .blockaded port they
would refuse to allow her to load.
An attempt was then made by her
owners to change her register. A well
known Kingston merchant agreed to
take a. bill of sale, registering as
British owner, but he withdrew when
the government pointed out the liability
he would incur if she violated the neu-
tra1ity laws.
Another attempt to obtain a register
of ownership was made, this time
through an irresponsible clerk, but the
government refused his proposal unless
he could fortify it with a bond, with
two resident sureties for the full value
of the ship.
There has never been the least DOUBT
in the mind of Mr.. Dent that the sup
plies and provisions, though loaded
nominally for an unblockaded port, are
destined ultimately for General Blan-
co.'s troops. There is little likelihood
that she will reach her destination, as
Admiral Sampson is fully aware of her
plans and has probably detailed fast
auxiliary cruiser to capture her and
the Spanish officer, Lieutenant Com
mander Joaquin Montague, who is un-
derstood to have left Kingston with
her.