The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-24

1cfsed by the DOns, Who May De-
eide to Take Revenge for Defeat
by Preying Upon Merchant Ships
Have HOisted the Flag of Spain.
MADRID May 23.-In the senate to-
day, Count Almenas' vehemently pro-
tested against the alleged action of
American warships in displaying the
Spanish flag in order to deceive the
garrison of Guantanamo, as announced
on Saturday last in a dispatch from
Capt. Gen. Blanco, who added that the
American ships were Immediately
recognized and repulsed.
The count asked If the government
had notified the powers of this Incl
dent
The minister of the interior, Senior
Cap6epon, replied that he had notified
the powers, and described this report
ed act on as ''ecwai dly and inilui GUS"
Count Almeras said that 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 de-
liberated upon the matter" and had
even taken certain decisions which
would shortly be known"
DONS GRIEvED.
Count Guendulin said the American
act Of piracy was admitted by certain
theorists as international law"
doubtful whether such an act was legal,
but he added ''in face of the Americans
conduct in the war with Spain, We
must not show consideration for them"
Proceeding the speaker protested
against SPANS adherence to the Ge-
neva ccnven ion, whereupon the minis
ter of the interior replied that Spain
had not yet entered the convention.
Senator Condo, professor Of interna-
tional law at the Madrid university,
warmly denounced what he was pie as ed
to term 1.-The base proceedings" of the
United States, declaring that if Wash
irgton authorized such acts lit did not
deserve the name of a civilized govern
ment"
The professor then proceeded to I'M
fold lengthy indictment OF the alleg-
ed war methods of the Americans, in
sisting that they have shown mo re-
Spect for the rights of people in the
capture of merchantmen and lombard
ment," reiterating that the acts of the
United States are not those of a civil
lied country.
SPANS POLICY.
When the royal decree was gazetted
on April "a, in Madrid. declaring that
g. state of war existed between the two
countries, the rules which Spain pro-
posed to observe during the war were
outlined. Clause reads:
The Spanish government, upho,ding its
right to grant letters of marque will con-
fine itself to organization with the vessels
of the mercantile marine, which will CO.
operate with the navy according to the
needs Of the campaign and will be under
naval control.
In order to capture the enenys ships and
confscate the enemy's merchandise and con-
traband of war under whatever form, the
auxiliary cruisers will exercise the right
of search on the high SEAS in accordance
with international law and the regulations
which will be published.
Clause reads: ITO be regarded and
judged as pirates, with all the rigor OF the
law, are captains, masters, officers and two
thirds of the crews of vessels which not
being American shall commit acts of war
against Spain, even If provided with let
tiers of marque issued by the United States''
GRAND GORDON.
The grand co don Of naval merit has
been conferred on Capt. Deschamps, of
tho Spanish steamer Montserrat, which
recently arrived at Corunna from
Cfenfuegos. The queen regent per-
sonally presented the captain with the
insignia.
SPANS FLEET.
According to current report here, the
Spanish fleet will maneuver in Cadiz
waters until its destination is decided
upon. 1t is rumored that the Spanish
authorities propose to fortify the
Queen of SPANS Chair" on the sum-
init of a mountain overlooking Gibral-
tar, and that they also intend to erect
fortifcadons upon Europe Point, at tn
eastern entrance of Algeiras 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 is te
be duty free
TROOPS FROM CADIZ.
Spaniards Send Expedition O.
1000 Soldiers.