The record-union., 1898-05-24
Objects TO American Warships Dis
playing Spanish Flags,
The Matter tie Subject Of Animated Debate
in the COrteS.
Belief at Madrid That the Govern
ment is in Possession of Impor-
tant News From Cuba, the Char
acter of Which Has Not Been
Made Public.

MADRID, May 23.-In the Senate to-
day Count Alaenas vehemently protest
ed against the alleged action of some
American Warships in displaying the
Spanish flag in order to deceive the gar
Iison Of Guantanamo as announced on
Saturday last in a dispatch from Cap
1ain-G General BlancO, who added that
the American ships We're Immediately
recognized and repulsed." The Count
asked if the Government has notified
the Powers of this incident.
The Minister Of the Interior. Senior
Capedon, replied that he had notified
the Powers. and described this report
(ed action as 'cowardly and iniquitous." 3"
Count Alaenas said: In view of
Americas manner of making war;
Spain must Immediately decree priva-
teering, in order to utterly destroy
American shipping"
To this the Minister of the Interior
replied that the Government had delib-
Grated upon the matter, and had even
taken certain decisions which would
soon be known"
Count Guandolon said the American
acts Of piracy were admitted by certain
theorists as internatinaol law.
SenOr Pacheco remarked that it was
doubtful whether such an act was le
gal. But" he added lin face of the
Americans conduct in the war with
Spain, we must not show consideration
for them"
Continuing, the speaker protested
against Spain's adherence to the Gene
va Convention, whereupOn the Minister
of the Interior replied that Spain had
not yet entered the convention.
SenOr COndre Professor of Interna-
1ionar Law at the Madrid University,
warmly denounced what he was pleased
to term the base proceedings of the
United States" declaring that if Wash
ington authorized such acts lit did not
deserve the name of a civilized Govern
ment"
The Professor then proceeded to un-
fold lengthy indictment Of the alleged
war methods of the Americans insist
ing that they have shown no respect
for the rights of peoples in the capture
of merchantmen and bomardments," !"
reiterating that the acts of the United
States are not those of a civilized
country.
SPANISH RESERVE FLEET.
MADRID, May 30 a. m-)-Ac-
cording to current report here the
Cadz waters until its destination is
decided upon.
II is rumored that the Spanish au-
thorities propose TO fortify the Queen
Of Spain's character" on the summit of
q mountain overlooking Gibraltar, and
that they also intend to erect fortifi
cations upon Europa Point, at the
eastern entrance of Algeircas Bay and
facing Gibraltar.
A dispatch received here from Ha-
vana says the colonial government has
decreed that the importation of food
into all the ports of Cuba are to be
free of duty"
Midnight-The belief is prevalent in
all circles and in all sections of the
press that the Government is in posses
sion of important news from Cuba. Its
character has not been made public.
The report that Great Britain had
sent a note TO Spain asking an eXplana-
tion of the troops in the neighborhood
of Gibraltar. is officially denied.
SPANISH TROOPS FOR CEUTA.
GIBRALTAR May 23.-This after
noon the Spanish steamer Rabat of the
Compania Transatlantica line, em-
barked a battalion at Algeciras. on the
west side of the Bay of Gibraltar. and
sailed for Ceuta, Morocco, opposite
Gibraltar
Ceuta has many points of resemb-