The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-20
EULATE's FRIENDLY ACT.
How the VizcaYa's Captain Earned |
the Praise of Nineteen Nations.


the Praise of Nineteen Nations.
From the New York Mail and Express.
While the war revenue bill was before
Congress Hon. Amos Cummings made a
speech in the House in the course of which
he gave many incidents connected with his
visit 70 Cuba. one Of them is especially in
teresiing just now, when the Spanish Capt
Eulate is prisoner of war in our hands.
MIR. Cummings said:
"A story fully as romantic and interest
ing is told Of Capt. Eulate, the command
er of the cruiser Vizcaya, the late visitor
TO the harbor of New York. The incident
occurred in La Guayra, on The Spanish
main, in 1891 The American consul there
was Mr.. Hanna. relative of Hon. Jerry
Rusk of Wisconsin The city was raided
by one of Dictator Mendoza's generals.
He imprisoned an OF the foreign mer-
chants and seventeen consuls, represent
iis; the different nations demanding a
large ransom for their release. Hanna
was out of town when the raid began. on
his return he sensed the situation and
took immediate steps for the rescue of
his colleagues.
THE only war vessel in the harbOr was
the Jorge Juan little Spanish ship with
three small guns, detailed for coast guard
duty. Her commanding officer was Euiate,
then q sub-lieutenant in the Spanish
navy. Hanna tried to communicate by
cable with the United States government,
but failed. lie next tried TO reach the
American minister at Caracas. and was
again shut off Finally as a last resort,
he took a boat and boarded the Jorge
Juan. Lieut. Eulate received him with
marked courtesy, and listened graciously
to his story.
Hanna detailed the startling events
that had occurred, and asked the aid Of
the Spanish gunboat in rescuing the inn
prisoned consuis. Eulate listened with
much interest. lie replied that Spain was
one of the first nations TO recognize the
independence of the American colonies
when they were struggling with Great
Britain for their freedom. and she would
not decline to assist the United States at a
time like the present He said his ship
was at Mr.. Haunas disposal. and asked
him what he intended TO do. I propose to
demand the release of the imprisoned con-
Suls was the reply.
Lieut.. Eulate then placed thirty Spanish
marines at the disposal of Consul Hanna.
| The marines We're embarked in the launch,
which displayed the American flag. Con-
sui Hanna landed with them and demand
ed the release of the imprisoned consuls
within twenty minutes, saying that if this
was not done the gUnboat would open fire
upon the city. single shot was fred at
| the Spanish vessel from the shore II
struck her in the bow, and Lieut.. Eulate
| responded with a blank broadside. The
! consuls were released under Hanna's ulti-
/ matum. He then demanded the release
/ of the imprisoned foreign merchants.
! Gen Pepper, representing the dictator
! Mendoza. promptly compiled with the de-
/ mand. and his troops evacuated the city.
! The American flag was then hauled down
/ from the Jorge Juan and the Spanish en-
! sign appeared at her stern. The marines
were returned to the ship. and Capt Han
ma and the released consuls warmly thank
ed Lieut. Eulate for his services.
'"rhis however, was not the end of the
matter The Spanish government was in
| dlguani az the acton of the lieutenant lie
| was ordered back to Havana, deprived OF
his command, and sent to MORO Castle. A
! Cotrt martial was ordered, The lieutenant
/ bong charged with piratical acts at La
/ Guayra. Before Il verdict was rendered
| tine Spanish government had officially re-
/ Coived the thanks Of nineteen fore On gov
| crnn.ents, ranging from the gigantic en-
prc Of Russia to the queen of Hawaii. Thi.
opened the eyes Of Spain. She recognized
the injustice done TO Euiate. He was re-
leased from custody, was awarded one OF
Tho highest naval decorations, and PLACED
on waiting orders, Within short time
he was made a captain IN the Spanish
navy, and appointed chief of the arsenal
| in havana
''Whcn il was determined to send N,
Vizcaya. to New York Capt Eulate was
1 placed in command. II was believed thai
bis action al La Guayra would especially
commend him 10 the American people
Splin thought that il could not offer &
greater act OF courtesy Unfortunately
the act of EUate al La Guayra hac
never attracted the attention OF Americal
newspapers. The public were in ignoranc,