New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-28
CHASED BY THE BANCROFT.
THE GUNBOAT PURSUES A VESSEL Be
LIEvED TO BE A SPANISH AUX1I~
larry CRUISER

Key West, Fla, May PA Spanish steam
ship. believed TO he an auxiliary cruiser was
sighted by the United States gunboats Whining
ton and Bancroft fifteen miles on Key West
last night and at last accounts was being
chased by the Bancroft. She was three
masted steamer and looked like q merchant
man Of large tonnage. She had one smoke
stack.
The Wilmington was coming In here for COAL
when at about $50 o'clock last evening between
twelve and fifteen miles off Key West. she saw
the smoke Of a steamer. and turned In the lat
ter's direction. At about the same time the
Bancroft came along and asked the Wilmington
II she had seen anything Of a thrce-masted
steamer. which had chased the auxiliary gun
boat Eagle The Wilmington then informed the
Bancroft Of the three-masted steamer. and the
Bancroft went after her. The stranger headed
southeast with the Bancroft going full speed
after her. The chase was a most exciting one
when the Wilmington last saw the two vessels
1t is presumed that the Spanish ship. observ-
ing the wilmington's military top, mstook her
for a battle-shp. and thought II safe 10 continue
scouting. trusting TO her superior speed for es-
cape But when the Bancroft appeared the
Spanard wasted no time in trying 10 get away.
Commander Todd OF the Wilmington had no
doubt the Bancroft would catch the spaniard.
A Custom House official here. when he heard
Key West last night. but she was gone In the
morning Commander Todd Is confident the yes
SCI being chased by the Bancroft Is Spanish
auxiliary cruiser on scout duty.
The Wilmington came in from the blockade
and reported all quiet there.
BRITISH CORRESPONDENT ARRESTED.
Key West. Fla. May PIE. P Knight. cor
respondent OF The London Times" who
Sunday night when seven miles of Havana,
was lowered the bow OF dispa tchboat
and rowed ashore alone In a ten-foot ekff. was
in Cabanas Fortress Alexander Gollan, the
British Consul at Havana. has Instituted pro-
ceedings for his release.
MEXICANS UNWII LING TO SUPPLY COAL.
DIFFICULTIES THE ALERT HAD AT ACAPULCO.
San Francisco. May 27.-Oflcers Of the United
States steamship Abort say that vigorous meas
ures had to be taken by the old cruiser to secure
coal on her recent trip up from South America.
At Acapulco. a Mexican town. Of which half the
inhabitants are Spanish. the captain applied to
a steamship company for coal. He was told
that he could have coal at the rate OF $50 a
ton In gold provided he took II himself. as the
company could not deliver.
The captain accordingly took possession OF
lighter and sent the ships marine guard to pro-
tect the coal -passers When they arrived at the
tempted TO prevent the coal from being taken
from tho wharf The marines cleared the wharf
with bayonet charge. then stretched rope
across. loaded their rifles and informed the
natives that the first one to cross the rope would
he shot. After that 80 tons were loaded on the
ship without further molcstation,
Previous efforts had been made through the
Consul to secure coal. but without success
THE NEW ORLEANS A GOOD SHIP
Kor wast E,a May 81 Thu rainv .aa.oc u