The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-18
CAPTAIN EULATE.
An Interesting Incident of the Career of
the Commander of the Viz caya.

While the war revenue bill was before
a speech in the House. in the course of
which he gave many incidents connected
with his visit to Cuba. One of them Is
especially interesting just now, when the
Spanish Captain Eulate is prisoner
OF war in our hands. Mr.. Cummings
said:
"a story fully as romantic and inter-
esting is told of Captain Eulats, the COM
mander of the cruiser Vizcaya, the late
visitor to the harbor of New York. The
incident occurred in LaGuayra. on the
Spanish main, in 1891. The American
consul there was Mr.. Hanna, relative
of Jerry Rusk of Wisconsin. The city
was raided by one of Dictator Mendoza S
gen erals. He imprisoned all of the for
eign merchants and seventeen consuls,
representing the different nations, de-.
manding large ransom for their release.
Hanna was out of town when the raid
began. On his return he sensed the stu
alton and took immediate steps for the
rescue of his colleagues.
1.-The only war vessel in the harbor was
the Jorge Juan, little Spanish ship
with three small guns, detailed for coast
guard duty. Her commanding officer
was Eulate, then a sub-lieutenant in the
Spanish navy. Hanna tried to commune
cate by cable with the United States gov
eminent, but failed. He next tried to
reach the American minister at Caracas,
and was again shut off. Finally, as a
last resort, he took boat and boarded
the Jorge Juan Lieut.. Eulate received
him with marked courtesy, and listened
graciouSly to his story.
Hanna detailed the startling events
that had occurred and asked the aid of
the Spanish gunboat in rescuing the i'm
prisoned consuls. Eulate listened with
| much interest He replied that Spain
was one of the first nations to recognize
the independence of the American colon
les when they were struggling with Great
Britain for their freedom, and she would
| not decline to assist the United States at
| time like the present. He said his ship
was at Mr.. Hanna's disposal, and asked
him what he intended to do. Il propose
to demand the release of the imprisoned
consuls, was the reply.
"Liut. Eulate then placed thirty Span
ish marines at the disposal of Consul
Hanna. He ordred his crew to prepare for
action. The marines were embarked in
the launch which displayed the American
flag. Consul Hanna landed with them
and demanded the release of the i'm
prisoned consuls within twenty minutes.
saying that if this was not done the gun
boatkwould open fire upon the city. A
single shot was fired at the Spanish vesesl
from the shore. 1t struck her in the
bow, and Lieut. Eulate responded with
blank broadside The consuls were re-
leased under Hanna's ultimatum. He
then demanded the release of the impris.
oned foreign merchants. Gen. Pepper.
representing the dictator Mendoza,
promptly complied with the demand, and
his troops evacuated the city. The Amer
lean flag was then hauled down from the
Jorge Juan and the Spanish ensign ap-
peared at her stern. The marines were
returned to the ship, and Captain Hanna
and the released consuls warmly thanked
Lieut.. Eulate for his services.
"This, however was not the end of the
matter. The Spanish government was
indignant at the action of its lieutenant.
He was ordered back to Havana, deprived
of his command and SEM to MORO Castle.
court martial was ordered, the lieuten-
ant being charged with piratioal acts at
La Guayra. Before 3 verdict was rem
dered the Spanish government had OIL
cially received the thanks of nineteen for
eign governments, ranging from the gi-
gantic Empire of Russia to the Queen of
Hawaii. This opened the eyes of Spain.
She recognized the injustice done tC
Eulate. He was released from custody,
was awarded one of the highest naval
decorations and placed on waiting orders.
Within a short time he was made a cap.
tain in the Spanish navy and appointed
chief of the arsenal in Havana.