Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-06
Big French Liner Tried to Break
Through Havana Blockade.
MAY CAUSE TROUBLE With FRANCE
Belief That the Vesse. Carried
Recruits for Spain.
VALUABLE CARGO ABOARD

hE1 WEST, May G.-(On board ASSo-
ciated Press dispatch boat Kate SPENCER
The big French liner Lafayette with a full
complement of passengers and a general
cargo. bound from Coruna, Spain, April
q, was captured off Havana shortly be-
fore sundown last night by the Annapolis
The Lafayette was heading directly into
Havana and was captured only after an
exciting chase. After being boarded once
by an officer of the Annapolis she attempt
ed to run for it, but was again compelled
to heave 10.
The Wilmington, Newport and Morrill,
participated in the capture For over two
hours Captain Hunter cf the Annapolis
the temporary flag officer, and Capt. Todd
OF the Wilmington exchanged signals.
After the examination of the French
mans papers had been made prize crew
frcm the Annapolis placed aboard of
her and she was sent to Key West under
escort of the Wilmington
very delicate International question is
thought to be involved because of the long
consultation which finally resulted in send
ing her to Key West. The fact that she
is thought to have left a Spanish port
after the declaration of war seems to be
the warrant for holding her.
On the question of contraband of war the
officers of the Wilmington are reticen,.
The very large number of male passengers
aboard leads to the suspicion that she car
ried recruits for Havana.
SIMPSONS FLEET NOT DIVIDED.
More Points About the Capture of
the Lafayette.
Special From Staff Correspondent.
KEY WEST. Fla, May 6.-Commodore
Watson has rot yet arrived here. If the
plans for dividing the fleet ard placing one
division in his command have been matured
nothing is known of the fact here.
The French government can hardly make
q complaint over the seizure of the trans
Atlantic mai! steamer Lafayette. which was
cruiser Wilmington. The captain claimed
that he had not been informed of the
blockade, but his ship left port after it had
been proclaimed, and the warships which
closed in around him we're numerous
enough to make 1t understood He an
nounced his purpose of entering Havana
and was warned off. Instead of proceed
ing on he- course to Mexico, the Lafayette
stood off, and later in the day was heading
toward Morfo Castle.
Tba nod of
entering the port. When the second warn
ing was disregarded the Wilmington took
control of the steamer without further cere-
mony and brought her into Key West,
where the excitable French captain and Of
ticers are now venting their Indignation.
1t was a clear case of a defiant attempt to
break the blockade after being warned off.
The Lafayette ran from Havre to Mexi-
can ports, touching at Havana.
Should Not BE Released.
The case appears to be one that does not
call for hasty action at Washington, no
matter what urgent diplomatic representa-
tions may be made.
An inquiry by the prize court now sitting
whether the ship was carrying Spanish
soldiers and also contrabaEd of war.
The captain of the ship has been cabling
the French minister, and demand may be
made for immediate release. 1t should be
refused. The Lafayette touched at the two
Spanish ports of Santander and Corunna.
Her log shows that she left Corunna April
%, or two days after the beginning of hos
tilities between the United States AMI
Spain.
Not a Good Claim.
The claim that the ship is carrying
French mails would not entitle her to enter
Havana 1t is disputed that the ship made
two efforts to run the blockade after being
warned. but there is no question that her
captain insisted on his right to pass the
blockade. The Ship did not have to wait
until a blank shot had been fired across her
bow by the Annapolis. an international