Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-26
No Dispatches Relating Either to
Our Own or the Enemy's Ships.
The BLOCKADE OF CUBA EFFECTIVE.
10 Far ~ Known Not Single Neutral Yes.
sci Has Been Able to Pass the Lines
without Permiasi0n-Coaat
signal Service.

PatcHeo VI any hlHu TcluIlHR W tue
movements Of the fleets or the pros
pect Of any engagement had been re-
ceived during the day, and that the
only dispatch received related to an
inconsequental prize case. As the ships
are now at sea, there is no expectation
of reports until decisive engagement
occurs and a dispatch boat gets to a
port, or it is found Cervera has eluded
our search. In the meantime, there
is complete lack Of official data by
which to forecast the coming engage
ment
A report was current during the
day that the big battleship Oregon
had arrived at Key West, but the de.
partment officials would notice it only
by entering general denial that word
had been received Of any important
vessel movements or arrivals
Late in the day the Associated press
dispatches from Madrid, giving the
sharp debate in the cortes over the al
legged flying of the Spanish flag by
American warships, created much COM
ment in naval circles. Spain's protest
to the powers that this use OF the flag
was ''cowardly and iniquitous" was
dismissed by naval officers with the
statement that international law
writers agreed on the right to use an
enemy's flag for purposes OF deceit, so
long as the flag is hauled down before
a shot is fred.
The statement made by the Spanish
minister Of the interior that the gov.
eminent is likely to resort to privateer-
ing does not create any apprehension
among officers here. One Of the high
est authorities Of the navy department
said Spain would adopt privateering
If she felt 1t to be TO her interest,
without waiting for this country to
give any pretext for such action. Its
felt, however, that Great Britain, Ger
many and France will have consldera.
BILE to say in case Spain resorts to
privateering The commerce Of these
countries with the United States
would suffer very severely by Spanish
privateering, and Its effect would be
far more disastrous to these foreign
interests than to the shipping Of the
United States. 1t was this influence
of Great Britain, Germany and France
which forced Spain reluctantly to
forego privateering, and 1t is not
thought probable the foreign in
huences will now consent TO have
their commerce destroyed.
The announcement by way of Paris
that the Italian government had pro-
tested against the continuance of the
blockade Of the Cuban coast, on the
ground that 1t was ineffective, met
prompt denial at the state depart
ment, and it can be stated definitely
that neither in Washington nor in
Rome have any representations on
this subject been addressed to the
United States government. As mat
ter of fact, Italy probably is the mari
time power of all others with which
the United States has had absolutely
no correspondence in the slightest de.
gree connected with the Cuban block
ade.
As to the allegation that the block
ade Is ineffective, it is said that, on
the contrary, it has been singularly
successful and that, so far as known,
not single neutral ship subject to de-
tention has passed the lines without
the express consent of our government.
The Montserrat, it is true, did enter
Cienfuegos harbor before our block
aiding ships had time to get around to
the south side of Cuba and establish
the blockade and she did manage to
get out at night. But sheis Spanish
ship and Spain is perhaps the only ma.
ton in the world that has lost the
power to protest against blockade,
being a combatant herself. 1t is only
for neutral powers to enter such pro-
tests and none of them has as yet the
slightest pretext for such action.
With the beginning of the present
week, all Spanish vessels in United
States ports, which sailed after the
outbreak of war, are subject to seizure
as well as all Spanish merchantmen
found on the high seas, save where
they left port for the United States be-
fore April 81, last. The presidents
proclamation Of war allowed such
ships lying in our ports or bound for
them 80 days in which to discharge
cargo, and also insure them safe pas
sage home. That period Of time ex.
pired last Saturday night This, it is
expected, will tend to free the state
department from complications.
Under the energetic management Of
Capt Bartlett, who was recalled from
the retired list into the active service
OF the navy department for the pur-
pose, there has just been perfected a
most admirable and thorough system
of coast signaling for war purposes.
The navy department itself estab.
lished 80 stations on the coast manned
by naval militlamen. Then 1t called
into service LOGO lighthouse employees
and 1000 life saving men, making a
total force Of over 5000 men, who pa.
troll the great shore lines from Bar
Harbor to Galveston night and day
and in all weathers. watching for the
approach OF an enemy or for signal
from any passing United States war
ship.
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