The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-24
The DECISION NOT YET ANNOUNCED,
But 1t May Be Expected. in tho
EExs Near Future.
A SIGNIFICANT DEBATE
In k'A Spanish Senate Which Tor
" tends Privateering,
THE OREGON AGAIN REPORTED.

The Big Fighter, Accompanied by the Mic.
theroy and the Marietta, Said to Have
Left Para, Brazil, Yesterday - Heavy
Firing of the Eastern Extremity Of Cuba
Which May Have Been Naval Battle OF
aBombardmsnt-Spaniards Denounce the
Alleged Raising Of Spanish Flag on Our
Warships as an Act of Piracy.
i Madrid May 24.-In the senate yes
terday Count Almenas vehemently
protested against the alleged action OF
some American warships in displaying
the Spanish flag in order to deceive the
garrison of Guantanamo, as announced
in a dispatch from Captain General
Blanco, who added that the American
ships we're Immediately recognized
and repulsed." The count asked II
the government had notified tho pow
ers Of this incident.
} The minister of the interior, Senior
Capdepon, replied that he had notified
the powers and described this reported
ection as "cowardly and iniquitous."
! Count Almenas then said that "in
view of Americas manner of making
war, Spain must Immediately decree
privateerng, IN order to utterly des-
troy American shipping"
To this the minister of the interior
replied that the government had de-
liberated upon the matter "and had
even taken certain decisions, which
would shortly be known"
Count Guendulain said the Ameri-
cans "act of>piracy was admitted by
certain theorists as international law"
Senior Martinez Pacheo remarked
that 1t was doubtful whether such an
act was legal. "But," he added, "in
face of the Americans conduct in tho
war with Spain we must not show con-
sideration for them"
! Continuing, the speaker protested
against Spains adherence to the Cen
eva convention, whereupon the min
lister of the interior replied that Spain
had not yet entered the convention.
Senator Conde. professor of inter-
national law at the Madrid univer-
sity, warmly denounced what he was
pleased to term "the base proceedings"
Of the United States, declaring that if
Washington authorized such acts cit
did not deserve; ;tiis'name of a civilized
government" The professor then pro-
ceeded to unfold lengthy indictment
of the alleged war methods of the
Americans, insisting that they havo
shown mo respect for the right of
peoples in the capture of merchantmen
and bombardments, reiterating that
the acts of the United States are not
those of civilized country.
, When the royal decree was gazetted
on April "a, In Madrid. announcing
that the breaking off Of diplomatic re-
iations between Spain and the United
States and declaring that a state of
war existed between the two countries,
the rules which Spain proposed to OBJ
serve during the war were outlined.
Clause 3 of the decree read:
Notwithstanding that Spain has not
adhered to the declaration Of Paris, the
government, respecting the principles
of the law of nations, proposes to OBJ
serve and hereby orders to be observed
The following regulations of maritime
law" Then followed the rules in regard
to the contraband of war, Spain's
definition of a blockade, and clauses
I and s read:
"The Spanish government, upholding
Its right to grant letters of marque,
will at present confine itself to organ
izing with the vessels of the mercan-
tile marine, which will cooperate with
the navy, according to the needs of the
campaign, and will be under naval con-
troll
"In order to capture the enemy's
ships and confiscate the enemy's mer-
Chandise and contraband of war under
whatever form, the auxiliary cruisers
will receive the right to search on the
high seas, and in the water under the
enemy's jurisdiction, in accordance
with International law ard the regu-
lations which will be published"
Clause defined contraband of war
fully, and clause read:
ITO bo regarded and Judged as
pirates, with all the rlgor of the law.
are captains, masters, officers and two
thirds CT the crews of vessels which,
not being American, shall commit acts
OF war against Spain. even II provided
with letters OF marQue issued by the
United States"
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