The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-07
SAMPSON NOT NOTIFIED.
Orders to Allow the steamer to Pass
Failed to Reach Him.

Orders to Allow the steamer to Pass
Failed 10 Reach Him.
Key West, May g. $50 p. m.-commodore
Watson this afternoon received orders
from Washington to instantly release the
French mail steamer Lafayette, and to
send her to Havana under escort.
The capture of the Frenchman by the
gunboat Annapolis turns out to be an un-
fortunate incident. resulting from mis-
made by the representatives Of
the French government In the
United States. The officials here de-
clare that this will close the affair. 1t ap-
pears that before the Lafayette sailed for
Havana the French legation In Washing
ton was instructed to communicate with
the State department. This was done and
permission granted TO the steamer 10 en-
ter and discharge her passengers and car
go, with the understanding that she would
take on nothing there. Instructions for
the fulhlment of this agreement were sent
from Washington to Admiral SIMPSONS S
squadron, and 1t was only learned to-day,
after the capture was made that they
were never delivered. This afternoon
United States Commissioner Otto, United
States District Attorney STRIPPING, and a
number of other federal officials went out
to the Lafayette, examined her papers, and
eabled the state department for instruc-
tions. They came without delay In the
form Of an order to Commodore Watson.
OF the 1853 passengers on board the La
fayette. seventy-six are for Havana, near
ly all being young Spaniards, who say
they are going to Cuba to engage IN mer-
camille pursuits.
When surprise was displayed that such
was their mission at this time, they mere
ly shrugged their shoulders and vouch-
safed no further explanation.
One Cuban was aboard who was return
ing to join the insurgent army. He was
banished from the island seven months
ago. but came within the terms Of Gen.
Blancos armistice just before the war be-
gun. He was overjoyed when told that
he would be taken with the regular United
States troops when they moved. The local
junta took him in charge and he leaves
for Tampa tonight.
The United States authorities who ex-
amined the Lafayette to-day. say that so
far as the ships manifest shows. she
carries no contraband of war, but with
such an immense cargo It was impossible
to make a thorough inspection. They
saw nothing in the nature Of arms or am.
mupition on board
Her release constitutes the first official
act of Commodore Watson In his new com
mand Of this division OF Admiral Samp-
sons feet He arrived on the Oiivette TO-
day and Immediately went on board the
cruiser Cincinnati. where he hoisted his
flag.
The ships IN the harbor doomed a com
modore's salute of eleven guns this after
noon. This customary act Of courtesy to
a new commanding officer had distress
ing effect on the L1afayette's passengers.
The federal officials were dining with Capt.
Chapleta at the time and suddenly found
themselves I'm the midst OF panic The
Spaniards yelled that the enemy had OPEN
ed fire and they scampred about the decks
TO find places of shelter. Some Of them
burst frantically to the captains cabin,
where he was at dinner with his visitors
and begged the Americans to save their
lives. One Mexican woman, wife Of a
Spaniard, who was sIezed with a spasm
when the Annapolis held up the Lafayette
yesterday, duplicated the performance
when the salute was fired and for some
time II was feared her llfa was in danger.
Commodire Remey arrived on the Mas
cote this afternoon. While nothing Of
fetal can be learned as to whether he will
take command Of the second division OF
the fleet, il Is. said on good authority that
his assignment Is 10 assume control Of the
naval station here.
Companies and G. Of the Twenty-hfth
Continued on Fifth Page.l