Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-05-12

aIho bedfiuE NOWu lll'Du ubTt Huu tuU
Morrill,, which had heen noaing up
towards The Associated press dispatch
boat, also swung around across tho path
of the liner, sort OF DAVID challenging
a Goliath; for tho Morrill, ia only a
smart little rsvonuo cutter, now acting
as dispatchboat, and member Of the
50 called mosquito fleet.
The Annapolis, however, had been
doing such fine work with hor engines
rhat emo overhaulsd che stranger two
miles ahead of thu Morrill,. There was
a fash, pun OF white smoke to the
lee, followed by the boom of gun
fired down the wind. which announced
that Uncle Sam had ordered the stranger
to heave to.
In the meantime boat from the
Annapolis mad boarded the Fronchman
as the stranger proved to be. On board
the liner crowd of excited passengers
pressed anxiously about the vessels
side. Up from the south the wicked,
gray hulk of tho Wilmington, with her
men at quarters, and the delicately
lined Newport we're looming up rapidly.
A moment Or 30 later the three war
ships lay by till the boat from the
Annapolis started back from the liner
to the gunboat. Then, suddenly. to
the aHtonishment of all on board the
warships, the FrenchInan blew long,
querEluus whistle and put On full
steam ahead, pointing straight to the
entrance of Havana harbor.
A sharp word of command rang out
On board the Annapolis, and in less
time than il takes to pencil these
u,nrdu har nYatB mana NJ md tho q
muzzle of every gun of her starboard
broHdside was pointing in deadly
earnest straight at the runaway. Then
the big nftergun roared forth hoarse
order from over her starhoard quarter,
while the crews OF the other guns
looked up anxiously eager to follow
suit. But the warning note had its
effect the big liner again stopped her
engines and then put them going astern.
Then there was long spoll of wig
waggin between the Annapolis and the
Wilmington. The signalling continued
for almost an hour, possibly longer.
A prize crew from the Wilmington
was put on board the Lafayette. and az
). 10 last night tile big Frsnchman was
headed north and was escorted to Key
West under the guns of the Wilmington.
SENSATION IN WASHINGTON.
Washington, May G. The seizure of
the French liner Lafayette by the gun
boat Annapolis caused distinct sensa-
tion in official and diplomatic circles
here, as it was believed to involve the
possibility Of more serious foreign com
plications than had arisen thus far.
Tho officials of the State Department
and OF the French embassy received the
news of the capture from The associated
Press dispatches. and in both quarters
there was attention. In the State De-
partment it wRs taken as forerunner
Of a number of CASES of q like character
TO follow, for this was the experience
OF the United States' blockading forces
during the Civil War.
Taking the facts aH reported the
officials of the department declare posi-
lively, and 10 thiss~they are supportad
by the unanimous voice OF the naval
officials, that there can lie no question
that the Lafayette was a blockade
runner, pure and simple, and Ne such
is lawful prize. The State Depart
ment has been disposed to treat with
the greatest liberality the shipping OF
neutral powers.
In his proclamation OF the 26th ulto /,
the President said:
1.-THE right Of search is to be exercised
with strict regard for the right of
neutrals and the voyages of mail
steamers are not to be interfered with
except on the clearest ground for the
suspicion for tho violation Of law in
respect uf contraband and blockade. +"
10 mis- precsuing proclamation of the
22d ulto.. the President said;
ANY neutral vessel approaching any
OF said ports or attempting to leave the
same witbour notice or knowledge of
the establishment of such blockade.
will be duly warned ny the commander
Of the bluckading forces, who will
endorse or have registered the dates
uf such warning and where such warn,
ing was made: and il the same vessel
shall again attempt to enter any block
aiding point, she will be captured and
sent to the nearest convenient port for
such proceedings against her cargo, as
prize, as may be deemed advisable.
LAFAYETTE RELEASED.
Key West. May 7.-Commodore Wat
son yesterday afternoon received or
ders from Washington to release i'll
stantly the French mail steamer La
fayette and to send her to Havana un-
der escort.
The capture of the Frenchman by the
gunboat Annapolis turns out to have
been an unfortunate incident, result
ing from mistake but no protest has