Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-05-06
AN IMPORTANT PRIZE
French Blockade Runner Bound from
Spain to Cuba Captured Off
Havana.
SPANISH FLEET EXPECTED
Preparing for War Vessels at San Jose,
Porto Rico-Oolored Troops Started
for Tampa Transports Ready
for Service.

for Tampa Transports Ready
for Service.
Key West, May Con board Asso
ciated Press dispatch boat Kate Spen
cer.-The big French liner Lafayette
hailing from St. Nazaire, with full
complement of passengers and genera
cargo, bound from Coruna. Spain, Apri
20, was captured off Havana shortly be
fore sundown last night, by the Anna
polls. The Lafayette was heading di
rectly into Havana and was captured
only after an exciting chase.
After being boarded once, by an officer
of the Annapolis, she attempted to run
for it, but was again compelled to heave
to.
The Wilmington, Newport'and Morrill,
participated in the capture. For over
two hours Captain Hunter, of the An
napolis, temporary flag officer, and Cap
tain Todd, of the Wilmington, ex-
changed signals. After examination of
the Frenchman's papers, a prize crew
from the Annapolis was placed aboard
and she was sent to Key West under
the escort of the Wilmington. A very
delicate international question is
thought to be involved, because of the
long consultation which finally resulted
in sending the Lafayette to Key West.
The fact that she is thought to have
left Spanish port after the declaration
of war, seems to warrant holding her.
The large number of male passengers
aboard leads to the suspicion that she
carried recruits for Havana. It is
thought probably that France may raise
some question regarding the capture of
the Lafayette and it is also said there is
a serious international aspect to her cap
ture as she mounts guns and is French
naval reserve vessel.
Ensign H. Fl. Sigomier, of the Anna
polls, who was in charge of the prize
crew on board the Lafayette, says the
latter's commander denies he has Span
ish soldiers ON board. The French
commander, however, admits that he
left Coruna April 23, after the declara-
tion of war; and took on board many
male passengers. He feigns ignorance
of the nature of the ships cargo, and
says he will be unable to ascertain what
she has on board until he examines her
manifesto.
The officers of the Lafayette say her
detention will become an international
episode.
Spanish Prizes Taken.
Two more prizes, Spanish fishing
schooners, were brought in here today.
They were the Oriente and Antonio
Suarez. The Oriente was captured by
the gunboat Helena off Havana yester-
day. She was bound from Yucatan to
Havana with a cargo of dried fish, and
had been out IS days, on account of
gales and contrary winds. One blank
shot was enough to bring the little fell
low to terms, The skipper declared he
knew nothing of existing war condi-
tions. The Antonio was captured by
the dispatch boat Uncas off Bocas Ciega,
near Havana. 1t is said she was signal
ing information to the French steamer
as to where she could land without in
reference from the blockading feet.
Ship to Be Named After Dewey.
New York, May 6.-Instructions have
been sent to Cramps Ship Building COM
pany by R. A. c. Smith, president of the
American Mail Steamship company,
that the first of the four twin-screw
steamships now in course of construc-
tion at the yards, should be christened
Admiral Dewey. Admiral Dewey and
sister ships are to be built with special
reference to quick and economical con-
version into naval auxiliary vessels.
Spanish Fleet Expected at San Jose.
A special from San Jose, Porto Rico,
says that preparations are being made
there for the reception of the Spanish
Cape Verde feet, the arrival of which is
expected almost momentarily. The only
warship now in the harbor is the Isa-
bella, the harb0r having been cleared of
non-combatant vessels to make room for
the anchorage of the Spanish fleet. All
have been pulled up un-
der the protection of the hills fearing a
bombardment by the American feet.
Another Ship for Uncle Sam.
Cleveland, O., May 6.-The splendid
steel yacht Comanche, built by the
Globe Iron works for H. M. Hanna in
1896, has been bought by the govern
ment.
sampson's Fleet Sighted.
New York, May GA special dispatch
from Kingston, Jamaica, say four Unit
ed States warships have been sighted off
Port de Banesm, Cuba. They are sup
posed to be q part Of Rear Admiral
SIMPSONS feet.
Transports Ready.
Tampa, Fla, May 8,-Seven trans
port boats are now at Port Tampa and
will soon be in readiness for loading
troops. As to the time of sailing there
is great uncertainty. 1t is not probable
that orders to break camp will be given
before a decisive action between the
Spanish and American fleets.
Colored Regiment to Tampa.
Chattanooga, Tenn, May a. The
25th regiment of infantry, colored, Col
onel Burt in command, left for Tampa,
Fla, this afternoon ON special trains.
Every regiment encamped at Chicka-
mauga is ready with simple field equip
ment to move at moments notice.
Firing ut Sea Heard at Charleston.
Charleston, s. c., May e.-Firing at
sea was heard off Charleston this morn
ing, but no vessels have been sighted.