The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-17
Because They Passed the Spaniard ax
Daybrealx and Made No Effort to
Stop or Capture Her.
CUBAN OFFICIALS PLEASED
CRITICISM SILENCED BY THE ACTION
OF RAB4 AND GARCIA.
Occupation of Acerradcros Not Ac-
complished without DiMcuIty-
Spaniards Joining Insurgents.
Copyright, 1898. BY the Associated press.)

Copyright, 1898. by the Associated Pressl
KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 16 DIS p. ms
The Spanish steamer Purisima Conception,
loaded with food for Manzanillo, left Kings
ton at O'Clock this morning, taking vest
ward course. The colonial authorities ig-
nored the protest of United States Consul
Dent, as not based on sufficient evidence
and gave the ship her clearance
p. m.-The captain and officers Of tho
| auxiliary cruiser Yosemite (formerly El
Rio) feel foolish and are thoroughly vexed
AS the Yosemite approached Port Royal
about o'clock this morning she passed a
large steamer going out No attempt was
made to ascertain her name, but on ar
irving here the Yoselnites captain learned
that the. steamer was the Purisima Concep-
cion. The Yosemite, with other American
cruisers, had been especially warned about
this Spaniard, as she would be rich prize.
She is said to have 100000 in gold on board
Her cargo of food and medicine is destined
ultimately for Cienfuegos and Havana. It
is by no means certain that the auxiliary
cruiser Prairie formerly Ell Sob will catch
her, though the Prairie was yesterday even-
ing in the course the Purisima Concepcion
was taking this morning.
The Purisima Conception arrived at
Kingston in the latter part of May from
Manzanillo, with a Spanish commissariat
officer, in disguise, seeking supplies. She
had already on board large amount, which
had been obtained elsewhere. But at Kings
ton she began at once 20 take on -four. corn
and rice purchasing in all $500 bags Of
corn from Jamaica merchants. The colonial
authorities were informed by her owners
that clearance papers would be asked for
a nonblockaded port like Manzanillo. on the
south coast, on the bay of Guanayaro
United States Consul Dent made represen-
tations to the government of the island
against the vessel and IL careful inquiry
was instituted, the authorities promising
that if Mr.. Dent could furnish specific
proof that her captain intended to run for
a blockaded port they would refuse to allow
her to load.
An attempt was then made by her owners
to change her register. A well known
Kingston merchant agreed to take the bill
of sale, registering as a British owner, but
he withdrew when the government pointed
out the liability he would incur If she vio-
lated the neutrality laws Another attempt
to obtain register of ownership was made,
this time through an irresponsible clerk,
but the government refused his proposal
unless he could fortify it with bond. with
two resident sureties, for the full value OF
the ship. Mr.. Dents protest failing, the
Purisima Conception according to dis
patches from Kingston TO the Associated
Press, has been planning to leave as secret
ly as possible, in the hope, under cover OF
darkness, of evading capture. There has
never been the least doubt in the mind OF
Mr.. Dent that the supplies and provisions,
though loaded nominally for an unblockaded
port, destined ultimately for General
Blanco's troops.
There is little likelihood that she viii
reach her destination Admiral Sampson
is fully aware of her plans, and has proba-
bly, detailed fast auxiliary cruiser to cap
ture her and the Spanish officer, Lieutenant
Commander Joaquin Montague, who is un-
derstood to have left Kingston with her.