The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-24
SPANS HOTILBPR0TEST.
Against the Alleged Raising Of a
Spanish Flag by Our Ships.
A RIGHT THAT Is UNDIsPUTED.

| watering Does Not Alarm Washing
ton Onicials, as Great Britain, France
and Germany VIII Likely Interfere.
| Washington, May "a. - The press
dispatches from Madrid giving the
| sharp debate in the cortes over
the alleged flying Of the Spanish
| flag by American warships created
much comment In naval circles. SPANS
| protest to the powers that this use of
the flag was "cowardly and iniquitous"
was dismissed by naval officers with
the statement that international law
writer's agreed on the right to use an
enemy's flag for purposes Of deceit,
SO long as the flag is hauled down be-
fore shot is fired. The United States
naval regulations make specific pro-
vision on this point.
The statement made by the Spanish
minister Of the interior that the gov
eminent Is likely to resort to priva-
teering does not cause any apprehen-
sion among officials here. One Of the
highest authorities of the navy de-
partment said Spain would adopt pri-
watering If she felt 1t to be to her in
terest without waiting for this country
to give any pretext for such action.
1t is felt, however, that Great Britain,
Germany and France will have con-
siderable to say in case Spain resorts
to privateering. The. commerce Of these
countries with the United States would
suffer very severely by Spanish priva-
teering. and it's effect would be far
more disastrous to these foreign inter-
ests than to the shipping of the United
States. 1t was this influence of Great
Britain, Germany and Farnce which
forced Spain reluctantly to forego pri-
watering, and it Is not thought prob
able these influences will now consent
to have their commerce destroyed.
1t was stated at the navy department
late yesterday afternoon. that no dis
patches of any kind relating to the
movements of the fleets or the pros
pect of an engagement had been re-
cefved during the day, and that the
only dispatch received related to an
inconsequential prize case. AS the
ships are now at sea, there Is no ex-
pectation of reports until a decisive en-
gagement occurs and the dispatch
boat gets to port or 1t Is found Ger
vera has cit ID our search. In the
meantime there is a complete lack of
data by which to forecast the coming
engagement.
Commander HemphilI who has
charge of the naval enlistment, has
made out table showing that the re-
cent recruiting of the navy has swelled
that branch of the service by recruits
from the following states: Maine, 80;
New Hampshire, 20; Massachusetts, L.
474; Rhode Island, $50; New York, L.
1850; New Jersey, 31S: Pennsylvania,
406; Maryland, 444; District of Column
bia, 4O1; Ohio, 81; Michigan, 304: I'LL
nois 1872; Wisconsin, 80; Minnesota, 1854;
Missouri, 81; Virginia. 255; North Caro-
lima, 95; South Carolina, 115; Georgia,
II; Tennessee, 8; Louisiana, ISL; Texas,
81: California, 606; Florida, 113.
The French government has taken
opportunity to pay graceful compliment
to this country by informing the
French embassy that an artist has been
instructed to make COPY Of the IA
nous picture 1.-THE Battle of York.
town." which is one of the priceless
treasures of the French National Gal
lery at Versailles, to be sent to the en-
bassy at Washington. The picture
shows the notable incident in American
history when the British commander.
Lord CORVALLIS, surrendered to Gen.
eral Washington.
The announcement by way of Paris
that the Italian government had pro-
tested against the continuance Of the
blockade of the Cuban coast on the
ground that 1t was ineffective met
prompt denial at the state department.
and 1t can be stated definitely that
neither in Washington nor in Rome has
any representations on this subject |
been addressed to the United States !
government AS matter of fact, Italy |
probably is the maritime power of all
others with which the United States
has had absolutely no correspondence
in the slightest degree connected with
the Cuban blockade.
As to the allegation that the blockade
is ineffective, it Is said, on the con-
trary, that it has been singularly sue
cessful, and that so far as known not
a single neutral ship subject to deten-
ton has passed the lines without the
express consent of our government
The Montserrat, 1t Is true, did enter
Cienfuegos harbor before our block
aiding ships had time to get around the
south side of Cuba and establish the
blockade, and she did manage to get
out at night. But she is Spanish ship,
and Spain is perhaps the only nation
in the world that has lost the power
to enter a protest against blockade,
being a combatant herself. 1t is only
for neutral powers to enter such pro-
tests and none of them has as yet the
slightest pretext for such action.
With the beginning Of the present
week all Spanish vessels in United
States ports, which sailed after the
outbreak of the war, are subject to
seizure, as well as all Spanish mer-
chantmen found on the high seas. save
where they left port for the United
States before April 81 last.
No suffers ore to be permitted to ac-
company the army during the war. To
make up for any deficiency in supplies
which might be missed by debarring
the suffers the department has decided
to enlarge very materially the list of
articles which will be kept on hand by
the commissary's department. All these
will be supplied to the officers and SOL
diers at cost price. Many applications
have been received from persons who
are anxious to receive appointments
emitting them to accompany the army
with a sutIer's privilege,