The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-07
TURNED LOOSE.
The French Blockade Runner
Lafayette
Is Released and Sent ON to Ha-
Vana
UNDER a IT. s. ESCORT.
She Had Been Granted Permis-
sion to Enter
The HarbOr of the Cuban Capt.
tai Long Ago.
JNDER A u. s. ESCORT,

Key West, Fla, May 7.-4-Commodore
watson received orders from Washing
ton instantly to release the French mail
steamer Lafayette and to send her to
Havana under escort.
The capture of the Frenchman by the
gunboat Annapolis turns out to have
been an unfortunate incident, resulting
from mistakes, but no protest has been
made to the representatives of the
French government in the United States
The officials here declare that this
will close the affair. 1t appears that
before the Lafayette sailed for Havana
the French legation in Washington was
instructed to communicate with the
state department. This was done and
permission granted to the steamer to
enter and discharge her passengers ana
cargo, with the understanding that she
would take on nothing there. 1nstruc-
lions for the fulfllment of this agree
ment were sent from Washington to
Admiral SIMPSONS squadron, and 1t
was only learned after the capture was
made that they were never delivered.
United States Commissioner Otto,
United States District Attorney Strip
ling and number of other federal OIL
Gals went out to the Lafayette, exam
ined her papers and cabled the state de-
partment for instructions.
These came without delay in the form
of an order to Commander Watson.
Washington, May IAN international
difficulty connected with the seizure OF
the French steamer Iafay has been
removed by the prompt release of the
vessel Immediately upon notice of her
capture reaching the state department.
The explanation for this action on the
part of the administration is given in
the statement which follows, and which
was issued from the White House.
1.-THE Lafayette was released in pur-
suance of orders which were issued by
the navy department previous to her
seizure, but which had not been recelV-
ed by the commanding officers OF the
vessels that made the capture. The
facts are, that on April 29, the French
embassy made an informal inquiry as
to whether the Lafayette, which left st.
Nazaire, France, for Vera cruz, by way
of Havana, before war was declared or
information of the blockade was re-
ceived, would be allowed to land in Ha-
vana her passengers, her mail bags ana
the dispatch bag of the consulate gen
eraI of France and take some French
passengers on board. An assurance was
given that, if this privilege should be
granted, the steamer would be FORBID
den hy the French consul to land gOodS.
1.-THE matter was duly considered, and
it was decided, that without regard to
the strict law of blockade, and as an
act of courtesy, the request OF the
French government should be acceded
to. Orders were accordlngly sent Ola The
second day of May.
when information was received or
the capture of the steamer and of her
having been brought to Key West,tnese
orders were communicated to the cap
tors with instructions to release the
steamer and to see that the orders were
duly delivered, so that they might be
carried into effect. No demand was
made either by or on behalf of the
French government, directly io OF lnol-
rectly, for the steamers release.
s"The Wilmington will escort the La
favette to Havana.