St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-05-25

port or it is found that Cervera has elud-
ed our search. In the meantime there
is a complete lack of official data by
which to forecast the coming engage
ment report was current Monday
that the battleship Oregon had arrived
at Key West, but the department OIL
Gals entered a general denial that word
had been received of any important YES
sci movements or arrivals.
The dispatches from Madrid giving the
sharp debate in the parliament over the
alleged flying of the Spanish flag by
American warships created much COM
ment in naval circles. Spain's protest
to the powers that this use of the flag
was cowardly and Ubiquitous was dis
missed with the statement that inter-
national law writers agreed on the right
to use an enemy's flag for the purpose
of deceit so long as the flag was hauled
down before shot is fired. The United
States naval regulations make specific
provision on this point. The navy de-
partment recently issued an edition Of
Shows Naval Precedents," standard
work on naval usage in time of peace and
war. In this, the doctrine on the use
OF an enemys flag Is stated as follows:
1.-THE regulations of the United States
navy state that the use of foreign flag
to deceive an enemy Is permissible, but
that it must be hauled down before gun
Is fired, and under no circumstances is
an action commenced or an engagement
fought without the display of the ma
tional ensign" The foreign rule, both
by regulation and by the textbook dis
tributed to the navy, is guide for naval
officers. Practically the same rule ap-
plies to the use of an enemy's uniform.
The statement made by the Spanish
minister of the interior that the govern
ment Is likely to resort to privateerng
does not cause any apprehension. One
of the highest authorities Of the navy de-
partment said Spain would adopt pri-
watering If she felt 1t to be to her in
terest without waiting for this coun-
try to give any pretext for such action.
II is felt, however, that Great Britain,
Germany and France will have con-
siderable to say in case Spain resorts
to the practice. The commerce of these
countries would suffer very severely, and
the effect would be far more disastrous
to these foreign interests than to the
shipping of the United States. The in
Huence OF Great Britain, Germany and
France forced Spain reluctantly to fore
go privateering, and it is not thought
probable that these influences will now
consent to have their commerce de-
stroyed
The announcement by the way of
Paris that the Italian government had
protested against the continuance of the
blockade of the Cuban coast on the
ground that it was ineffective. met a
prompt denial at the state department.
and 1t can be stated definitely that
neither In Washington nor In Rome have
any representations on this subject been
addressed to the United States govern
ment. Italy probably is the maritime
power OF all others with which the United
States has had absolutely no corresnon-
dence In the slightest degree connected
Win the cuban blockade. AS to the
allegation that the blockade is ineffec
tive, 1t Is said that on the contrary II
has been singularly successful and that
so Tar as known, not a single neutral
ship subject to detention has passed
the lines without the expressed consent
or our government. The Montserrat
1t is true, did enter Cienfuegos harbor
before our blockading ships got around
to the south side of Cuba and established
the blockade, and she did manage to
get out at night; but she is a Spanish
snip and Spain Is perhaps the only ma
ton In the world that has lost the power
TO enter a protest against blockade.
being combatant herself 1t is onlv
Tor neutral powers to enter such protests.
and none of them has as yet the slight
est pretext for such action.
Ihlrd parties have begun to suffer
from the war according to reports re-
ceived from Consul Aymo at Guadaloupe |
and 1t may be that other West Indian
Islands are to share in the burdens i'm
posed upon Guadalupe by the existence
OF hostllitles. He reports that there
is scarcity there of -four and other
provisions, and also of lumber. owing
TO the cessation of arrivals of vessels
from the United States. The last shin
arrived March 20, and when she clea red
there were but $500 barrels of flour IN
the island. Brokers bought IN all NJ
this. as well as all other provisions of
an advance of from to 10 percent and
nave raised prices The consul fears
serious results If prices rise much higher
go that suffering follows.
With the beginning Of the present
week all Spanish vessels in the United
v,hta
break of the war are subject to seizure
as well as all Spanish merchantmen
found on the high seas. save where thew
left port for the United States before
April q. The presidents proclama-
ton of war allowed such ships living in
our ports or bound for them 30 DAYS in
which to discharge cargoes, also ensured
them safe passage home. That period
of time expired last Saturday night.
This is expected to free the state depart
hent from complications.
Commander Hemphill, who has charge
OF the naval enlistments, has made ont a
table showing that the recent recruiting
OF the navy has swelled that branch of |
the service by recruits from the follow
Ing states: Maine, SO; New Hampshire
p; Massachusetts,. 1474; Rhode Island
$50; New York, 1880; New Jersey. Sl3: |
Pennsylvania, 406; Maryland. 444: Dis |
trict of Columbia, 401; Ohio, 67; Michi-
gan, SOi; Illinois, 1872; Wisconsin, 80:
Minnesota, 154; Missouri, 81; Virginia,
255; North Carolina. SO; South Carolina.
l16 Georgia, II; Tennessee, s; Louisiana,
Isl; Texas 81; California, COG; Florida
113. .s.lt