The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-27
SCHEME OF SPANIARDS
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CAPTURE OF
THE LITTLE BRIG AMAPALA.
Instead of Being "a HOnduran Vessel.
She Was Probably Owned at Ha-
vana, and Was Sent Ont for Food.
lcopyright. 1sgs. by the Assoclated Press.l

Copyright. 1898, by the Associated Press.)
KEY WEST Fla, June 2o.-Federal off,
Gals here are convinced that by the capture
of the little brig Amapala by the blockad-
ing squadron off Havana last week daring
Spanish scheme has been frustrated When
the Amapala was taken she was flying the
Hondurian flag and so far from attempting
to elude the American ships, she deliberately
ran out to the blockade lipes with the evil
dent intention of being made a prisoner.
To the Vicksburg was assigned the six of
capture, and Ensign Sem, with prize
crew, brought in the brig. 1t is now ascer-
tanned that the Hondurian registry of the
vessel was a blind, that she is owned by
Spaniards, and that she was being used in
an attempt to get food and provisions into
the blockaded city.
The following document, which has been
printed in Havana newspapers under the
caption important resolutions shows the
inducement for the venture: THE council
of secretaries in the session of last Wednes-
day, Governor General Blanco acting as
chairman, adopted some very important
resolutions. One of the resolutions was to
recommend and to call the attention of the
financial secretary to observe the resolution
concerning vessels with eatables and coal
that would come into any beach or port of
this island, granting them all kinds of ia
cilities and exempting them from all duties.
In case the blockade is broken or forced,
those vessels that have left neutral port
before the breaking of the blockade will en-
joy the benefits. The expectation of to-
bacco will continue freely under neutral
flags and for neutral ports. Sugar only will
be exported on the same condition as pro-
vided before, when the vessel has before
hand imported eatables or coal. All these
resolutions will be the subject of circular.
All merchandise or eatables that are i'm
ported by running the blockade will not be
subject to any limitation of prices, fact
which the authorities, by special decree will
MAKE known.
BY a diligent investigation the prize Off
cials have discovered aboard the Amapala
documents and letters, which to their minds
makes clear the entire scheme of deception.
The briggs Honduras patent was dated May
IS, and was for six months, and her papers
showed that she was bound for Jalapa, Mex
leo. She carried no cargo, but polygiot
band of passengers. refugees so-called, IN
Guiding Spaniards Hondurans, MeXicans
and South Americans. Her ostensible owner,
according to the documents, is Manuel Mon
tesina Monteros, who is set down as
Honduran, but this person, it is said, is
mere figurehead in the transactions, her
real owner being a well-known Spanish
shipping firm.
The discriminating evidence thus far dis
covered, all of which cannot now be made
known is said to be of a positive character.
1t shows the intention of the brig was to
pass the blockade line as a prize, confident
that the Honduras flag would free her after
possible delay of few days, when she
was to proceed to Jalapa, take on cargo
and return to Batabano, where, 1t is said,
many shiploads of supplies for Havana are
being safely discharged. Papers which re-
vealed these facts were obtained by the fed
eral authorities with great difficulty, the
ships officers sullenly refusing 10 surren-
der them until coercion was resorted TO.
Another suspicious feature of the case is
the high rate of fare charged those on
board. One woman and two child~"n were
compelled to pay 1860, and co were
charged nearly $500, and compelled work
as well. Among the passengers are Vile
and family of a colonel in the Spani. army,
Madame Socerro Betancourt de CaDrera,
wife of the secretary to the Brazilian and
Argentine consulate, Havana, and we'll
known Havana prima donna, who, although
loaded down with jewels, lamented that she
had lost $1,000 in salary since the outbreak
of the war because of the gloomy condition
of affairs in the once gay capital of the dis
tressed island.
Letters and stories of other passengers
confirm the reports already published of
restitution and suffering in Havana. The
streets are deserted and dark, except where
occasional gasoline torches flame fitfully
any other vehicle is rarely heard in the
streets while the suffering for want of
food especially among the poorer classes,
is appalling. One letter expressed the con-
Viction that this state of affairs could not
last more than a month longer, when the
city would be forced to capitulate.
Inquiry into the Amapala case is still
that she will be held as a legitimate prize
of