The age-herald., 1898-05-15
SPAIN FILES
 PROTEST IN PARIS Against France Permitting the Harvard to Remain  IN HARB0R TO MAKE REPAIRS Spanish Admiral Was Evidently Waiting at the Entrance for the Exit of the Cruiser
 and Was chagrined at
 Her Escape.
IN HARB0R TO MAKE REPAIRS

Washington, May 14-Oficial informa- tion reached here today that the Spanish government had filed protest at the for eign office in. Paris against the permission given by the French authorities at Martin ique to the United States auxiliary cruiser Harvard to remain in the harbor of St. Pierre, Martinique, for seven. days to make necessary repairs seg ss.s5
 The French government has taken speedy action on the protest, and insists that the United States cruiser, being disabled, has U full right to remain seven days e such time as may be necessary. to complete her repairs, and that in the meantime no steps will be taken to have her leave the French port. . ff
 The Spanish protest is an important de- velopment in the present critical naval situation in the West Indies, as 1t serves to permit France to give conspicuous evi- dence of her friendly feeling toward the United States and to offset the insinuations which have been made as to the sFrencl favoritism to Spain.
 Plans of Spaning Admiral
 It also makes clear for the first time the plans of the Spanish Admiral to have the Harvard forced out of the harbor Of Martinfaue and then to capture her by his swift cruisers and destroyers It IS is impossible for the Spanish warshlps to attack her while she is inside the harpor.
 The most the Spuanish admiral can do is to wait outside of the harbor in the hope of taking the Harvard as she leaves. It is evident that from the filing Of Spaan 8 protest that she had fully expected the Harvard to leave St. Pierre, and that the Spanish ships were lying in wait for her. But a wait of seven days would be futile, as other Americans can go to the reilel or the Harvard before that time.
 Moreover, while the capture of the liar yard would be valuable incident to the movement of the Spanish squadron IL IS obvious that 1t cannot shape its entire movements for the next seven days lh or der to effect this one capture.
 Position Would Have Been Critical
 Had the French authorities decided in view of the protest that the Harvard must leave at once. her position would have been extremely critical, as her batteries are in- significant compared with those of the big 5anish warships and her fieetness would not avail when the Spanish ships com handed the harbor entrance and had SO- k.ot vessels among their number
 As 1t is the navy department is relieved of all serious apprehensions on the Har- yard. as the action of the French govern ment insures her safety.
 By strange coincidence the French ownership of Martinique is bringing pros tests from both quarters the United States as well as Spain, although those from this country are entirely unofficial and are ex- pressly discountenanced by the state de- partment. They relate to the use of the French cable system between the United States and the West Indies, intimations be- ing made that these served to assist the Spanish authorities and to embarrass the officials at Washington. There appears to be no ground for this suspicion as it is pointed out that the French cable would be working against it's interests by such a course of action, and, moreover, would sub ject itself to the danger of having it's ca- ble cut at Coney Island, where it makes the landing