New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-24
IH REAT OF PRIVATEERING.
MENACING LANGUAGE IN THE SENATE
AT MADRID
DENUNCIATION OF THE ALLEGED Use OF
THE SPANISH FLAG BY AMER
lCAN CRI-ISEPC
lCAN CRUISERS.

Madrid. May 23.-In the Senate to-day Count
Almenas vehemently protested against the al
legged action Of some American warships in dis
playing the Spanish flag in order to deceive the
garrison at Guantanamo. announced on Sat
urday In dispatch from Captain-G General
Blanco. who added that the American ships
were Immediately recognized and repulsed."
The Count asked If the Government had in
formed the Powers Of this incident.
Sehor Capdepon. Minister Of the Interior
piled that he had informed the Powers and de-
scribed this reported action as "cowardly and
iniquitous."
Count Amenas then said that 'in view OF
Americas manner Of making war, Spain must
Immediately decree prvateerng. in order to
utterly destroy American shipping
To this the Minister Of the interior replied that
the Government had deliberated upon the mat
| ter and had even made certain decisions which
would shortly be known"
Count Guendulain said the Americans "act Of
piracy was admitted by certain theorists as In
ternationa law"
Sefor Martinez Pacheco remarked that 1t was
doubtful whether such an act was legal But
he added. "in face OF the Americans conduct
| in the with Spain must not show con-
sideration for them"
Senator Conde, professor OF international law
at the Madrid University warmly denounced
what he was pleased TO term ''the base pro-
ceedings' OF the United States, declaring that II
Washington authorized such acts at did not
deserve the name OF civilized Government"
The professor then proceeded to unfold long
indictment of the methods OF the Ameri-
cans insisting that they have shown no re-
spect for the rights OF peoples in the capture
! Of merchantmen and bombardments. and re-
terating 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 the breaking of Of
diplomatic relations between Spain and the
United States, and declaring that state OF
war existed between the two countries. the
! rules which Spain proposed TO observe 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 observe and hereby orders 10 be
observed the following regulations OF maritime
law:
Then followed the rules in regard to contra
band Of war, SPANS definition OF a blockade.
and:
Clause 4-The Spanish Government uphoding
its right to grant letters OF marque. will az
present con1ne itself to organizing with the
auxiliary cruisers which will cooperate with
the Navy. according 10 the needs OF the cam
paign, and Will be under naval control.
/ Clause 5-In order to capture the enemy's ships
and conNscate the enemy's merchandise and
contraband OF under whatever form, the
auxiliary cruisers will exercise the right OF
search on the high seas, and In the waters under
the ener,ys jurisdiction. In accordance with In
ternational Law and the regulations which will
be published.
Clause defined contraband Of war fully and
Clause read:
To be regarded and Judged as pirates, with all
the rigor OF the law are captains. masters Of
fcers and two-thirds Of the crews OF vessels
which. not being American. shall commit acts
NJ war against Spain even II provided with let
ters of marque issued by the United States.
THE LAW AS TO ENEMIES COLORS.
Washington, May 23.-This afternoons DIS
patches from Madrid giving the sharp debate
in the Cortes the alleged flying OF the