The age-herald., 1898-05-24

 LAWFUL 4(ssUSE
 EHy5IIlY's FLAG Spain's Protest stsd Much Comment in Naval Circles at Washington. THREAT OF REMEMBERING Does Not Cause the Slightest Apprshen- sion Among United States Officials. NO PROTEST HAS COME FROM ITALY Against Continuance of the Blockade of Cuban Ports On the Ground That it is Ineffect-
 INe--A New System of
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Washington, May 2S-The Associated 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 today. Spain's protest to the pow CTS that this use of the flag was "cowardly and iniquitous was dismissed by naval officials with the statement that the inter- national law writers agreed on the right to use an enemy's flag for purposes of de- ceit; so long as the flag is hauled down be- fore a shot is fired. The United States naval regulations make specific provision on this point. The navy department re- gently issued a version of Shows naval precedence, standard work on naval usage in time. of peace and war In this, the doctrine on the use of an enemys flag is stated as follows
 ..The regulations of the United States navy state that the use of foreign flag to deceive an enemy is permissible, but that 1t must be hauled down before gun is fired, and under no circumstances is an action to be commenced or an engagement be fought without the display of the na- tional ensign"
 The foregoing rule both by regulation and by the text book distributed to the navy, is a guide for all naval officers. Practically the same rule is applied to the use of an enemy's uniform.
 As to Privateering
 The statement made by the Spanish government of interior that the govern ment is likely to resort to privateering does not cause any apprehension among officials here. One of the highest authori- ties of the navy department said Spain would adopt her privateering II she 1eit IL to be to her interest without waiting Tor this country to give any pretext It is felt however that Great Britain, Ger many and France will have consideraole to say in case Spain resorts to prlVateer- ing. The commerce of those countries With the United States would suffer very severe Iv by Spanish privateer.ng, and It's enect would become more disastrous to foreign countries than to the shipping or the limited tates It was this influence Of thos9 powers which forced Spain reluctantly .q forego privateering. and 1t Is not tnougns nroba fle these foreign influences VIII now consent to have their commerce destroyed.
 The French government has taken op- nortnnity to nay a graceful compliment 10 this country by informing the trehch an, Lassador that an artist has been hslruc.eo to make copy of the famous picture' ny Battle of Yorktown" which IS one v, .nS priceless treasures ol thS galIerv at Versailles, to be sent to the em- bassy at Washington. The picture IS apoul 10 feet long and feet high, the figures pe- ing life size.
 No Protest From Italy
 The announcement by way Of Paris tnat tha Italian government had protested against the continuance of the biockaoe oi inc Cuban coast on the ground that It was ineffe ective met with prompt denial al the state department, and It can be stated oen- nitelv that in Washington or Rome nave any representations on this subject been addressed to the United States government. Az n matter of fact, Italy probably IS the maritime power of all others With which inc United States has had absolutely no correspondence in the slightest degree con nected with the Cuban blockade. AS 10 the allegation that the blockade IS ineiIectNe. If Is said that on the contrary It has been slngularly successful and that so Tar as known not a single neutral ship subject 10 detention has passed the lines without con- sent of our government
 Managed to Fiude the Fleet
 The Montserrat 1t Is true did enter Cien- fuegos before our blockadng ships had bad time to get around the south side or Cuoa and establish the blockade and she did manage 10 get out at night. But sne IS Spanish ship, and Spain is perhaps the only nation in the world that has lost the power to enter protest, 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 welP as all Span- ish merchantmen found on the high seas save where they left port for the United States before April 2ist last The presi- dents proclamation of war allowed such lying ia our harbors thirty days in which 10 discharge cargoes also assured them safe
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