The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-05-13
A VESSEL RELEASED
The Steamer La Fayette Ordered to
Be Escorted Back to Havana.
SAMPSON WILL SOON Be HEARD FROM
M IL Thought His Fleet WIN lombard and
Capture Porto INSTRUMENTATION
Being Made at That Port for
the Spanish Fleet.

+"FsNN ~ AhhN pEb loT
the Spanish Fleet.
KEY WEST, Fla, May Z. Commodore
Watson yesterday afternoon received
orders from Washington instantly TO
release the French mail steamer La
Fayette, which was taken by the gun
boat Annapolis off Havana Thursday
night and to send her to Havana I'M
der escort. The capture of the French
man turns out to have been an unfor-
tunate incident, resulting from mis-
takes, but no protest has been made TO
the representatives. Of the French gov
eminent in the United States. The
officials here declare that this will
close the affair. 1t appears that before
the La Fayette sailed for Havana the
French legation in Washington was in
structed to communicate with the state
department This was done and per-
mission granted to the steamer to enter
and discharge her passengers and
cargo, with the understanding that
she would take on nothing there. In
structions for the fulfllment of this
agreement were sent from Washington
to Adm. SIMPSONS squadron, and it
was only learned yesterday, after the
capture was made, that they were
never delivered. Yesterday afternoon,
United States Commissioner Otto,
United States District Attorney Strip
ling and a number of other federal
officials went out to the La Fayette,
examined her papers and cabled
the state department for in
structions. These came without
delay, in the form of an order to
Commodore Watson. The La Fayette
was escorted out last night by the
Runboat Wilmington, in obedience to
the orders of the navy department.
The gunboat will accompany her be-
yond the blockade lines, and then
leave her free to enter Havana un-
molested. An international difficulty
connected with the seizure of the
French steamer has thus been removed
by the prompt release of the vessel
Immediately upon notice of her cap
tnre reaching the state department
SAMPSON WILL BE GEARD FROM.
WASHINGTON, May T. Respecting
Adm. SIMPSONS movements the navy
department is still mute, although it
is apparent that interesting news is
expected on that subject within the
next three days. Therefore, it is quite
certain that the rumor which origi-
mated in London to the effect that
Sampson has undertaken a campaign
in the Canaries is dismissed without
attracting attention at the hands of
the officials, since it would be mani
testify impossible for the admiral to
arrive at the Canaries within so short
a space of time as three days. Again,
the monitors in his fleet could
not carry coal enough to make
the passage. Moreover, the naval
strategic board is not sending out
notifications of contemplated strategic
moves. A leading official said there
was no reason why foreign nations
should be given information of an at
tack on the Canaries. Since the
United States was conducting war,
It had the right, he said, to choose its
own points of attack, without keeping
other governments advised of it's pur-
poses. The next news from Adm.
Sampson may be that Porto Rico has
been bombarded and captured. This
is what will happen if the Spanish
feet cannot be found. In the event
that American ships are compelled
TO cross the Atlantic to crush
the Spanish fleet which disappeared
from Cape Verde and has been in
hiding ever since, Porto Rico must first
be taken. So patent is this PROPOSE
ton that Secretary Long is expecting
TO hear soon of the attack on the
strongly fortified city of San Juan,
Porto Rico. A rich prize of coal will
reward the United States squadron if
it is successful, and with Porto Rico as
coaling and supply station another
big step in the subjuGation of the dons
has been accomplished.
SAN JUAN PREPARING FOR ACTION
New York, May IA special from
San Juan de Porto Rico says that prep
arations are being made there for the
reception of the Spanish Cape Verde
feet, the arrival of which is expected
almost momentarily. The only war.
ship now in the harbor of San Juan is
the Isabella, the harbor having been
cleared of non-combatant vessels to
make room for the anchorage of the
Verde fleet. All merchantmen have
been pulled up under the protection OF
the hills, fearing bombardment by
the American fleet.