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

the delicately-lined Newport were coming
up rapidly.
A moment or so later the three warship
lay by until the boat from the Annapolis
started back from the liner to the gun
boat Then suddenly, to the astonishmen
of all on board the warships. the French
man blew a long, querulous whistle ant
put on full steam ahead, pointing straigh
to the entrance of Havana harbor.
A sharp word OF command rang out or
board the Annapolis, and in less time thar
lit takes to pencil these words her crews
were at quarters and the muzzle of every
gun of her starboard broadside was point.
ing in deadly earnest straight at the run.
away. Then the big after gun roaret
forth hoarse order from over her star
board quarter, while the crews of the other
guns looked up anxiously, eager to follow
suit. But the warning shot had its effect
The big liner again stopped her engines
and put them going astern. while columns
of steam from her escape pipes told OF
the high pressure below pleading for re-
lease.
The Wilmington and the Morrill, had al
ready started across the Lafayette's path
but their services were not necessary. for
the Frenchman no longer dared to make
a run for 1t.
There was a long spell OF wlg-wagging
between the Annapolis and the Whining
ton in the dusk of the evening, the sun
dropping behind the horizon and the night
falling over the scene IKE drop curtain.
for there is no twilight in these ATTITUDES.
Later, electric signals succeeded the flag
signals and there was nervous period Of
rigging and blinking wind and white ques-
tons and answers. The signaling con-
tinued for almost an hour, while the puz-
zled dispatch boats gathered in the white
moonlight.
At 7:45 pm. the Annapolis and the WILL
mington lowered boats and the officers
boarded the Frenchman.
The examination Of the liner was soon
over, and after the boats had returned to
their respective ships prize crew from the
Wilmington was put on board the Lafay-
cite, and at Sis last night the big French
man was headed north and was escorted
to Key West under the guns Of the Will
mington. The prize anchored here this
morning and the prize court will determine
what is to be done with her.
A Grave Question
WASHINGTON, May 6.-The seizure of
the French liner Lafayette by the gunboat
Annapolis caused distinct sensation in
official and diplomatic circles here. as 1t
was believed to involve the possibility of
more serious foreign complications than
had arisen thus far. The officials of the
State Department and of the French En-
bassy received the news of the capture
from the Associated Press dispatches, and
in both quarters 1t was given grave at
tention. In the State Department 1t was
taken as a forerunner of a number OF
cases of like character to follow, for this
was the experience of the United States
blockading forces during the Civil War.
Many times during the progress of that
war the country was on the verge of
breach of diplomatic relations with some
of the European nations because of the
seizure of the blockade runners. Taking
the facts as reported, the officials of the
Department declare positively land in this
they are supported by the unanimous
voice of the naval officials), that there can
be no question that the Lafayette was a
blockade runner, and as such rs a lawful
prize. The State Department has been
disposed to treat with the greatest liber-
atty the shipping of neutral powers, and,
as already stated, we have taken an ad-
vanced position In this matter. In the
proclamation of the 26th ultimo, the Pres
ident said the right of search is to be
observed with strict regard for the rights
of neutrals and the voyages Of mail steam
ers are not to be interfered with except
on the clearest ground of suspicion of
violation of the law in respect to contra
band or blockade.
1t will be noticed that In this the Presi-
dent expressly warns foreign vessels, even
mail vessels, against breaking the block
ade. which seems to have been exactly
what the Lafayette attempted. It Is said
that whether or not the ship carried con-
traband of war is absolutely immaterial
In the disposition Of her case. In his proc
lamation of the 22d ult. the President
said:
"A neutral vessel approaching any Of
said ports or attempting to leave same
without knowledge or notice Of the estab-
lishment of such blockade will be duly
warned by the commander Of the block
aiding forces, who will indorse or have
registered the date of such warning and
where such warning was made, and II the
vessel shall again attempt to enter any
hIooLodirg nor, she will he cantured and
son, ~ the nearest convenient mort for
s,,o, rrocoodipys AGAINST her and her cargo
as 49,, he deeued advisable"
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