The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-24
Realizes that American
Friendship is Valuable.
EXTENDS A COMPLIMENT
HANDSOME PICTURE FOR THE
EMBASSY AT WASHINGTON.
SPAIN APPEALS TO THE POWERS AGAIN
This Time Over the Alleged use Of Her Flag
by American War Ships Spain
Threatens TO Resort 10
Privateerlng.

JHICdtCIo " ltCoVlt ~
Privateerng.
Washington, May 23-It was stated
to-day at the navy department, at the
close of office hours, that no dispatches
Of any kind relating to the movements
Of the fleets or the prospect Of an en-
gagement had been received during the
day. and that the only dispatch received
related to an inconsequential prize case.
AS the ships are now at sea, there is no
expectation of reports until a decisive
engagement occurs, and dispatch boat
gets to Il port, or it is found CerYera has
eluded our search. In the meantime,
there is a complete lack of official data
by which to forecast the coming engage
ment. A report was current during the
day that the big battleship Oregon had
arrived ut Key West, but the department
officials would notice it only by enter
ing a general denial that word had
been received of any important vessel S |
movements or arrival.
Late in the day the Associated Press
dispatch from Madrid, giving the sharpl
debate in the cOrtes over the alleged fly
ing Of the Spanish flag by American war
ships, created much comment in diplo
matte circles. SPANS protest TO the
powers that this use of the flag was
'cowardly and iniquitous, was dismiss
eel by naval officers. with the statement
that international law writer's agreed on
the right 20 use an enemy's flag for the
purpose Of deceit, so long as the flag is
hauled down before shot is fred. The
United States naval regulations make a
specific provision on this point.
The statement made by the Spanish
Minister Of the Interior. that the govern
ment is likely to resort to priyateering. /
does not cause any apprehension among
officials here. 1t is felt that Great Brit
ain, Germany and France win have con-
siderable to say in case Spain resorts t0l
privateering The commerce of these
countries with the United States would |
suffer very severely by Spanish privateer- |
ing and it's effect would be far more
disastrous to these foreign interests than
to the shipping of all the United States
Commander Hemphil, who has charge |
Of the naval enlistment, has made out a
table, showing that the recent recruiting /
of the navy has Swelled that branch of
the service to 6,129.
The following are some of the States |
from which recruits have heen secured: |
Virginia, 255; North Carolina, %; South |
Carolina, 115; Georgia, II; Florida, 1l3. |
The French government has taken the
opportunity to pay graceful compliment
to this country. by informing the French /
embassy that an artist has been instruct /
ed to make copy of the famous pie
ture, THE Battle of Yorktown" which
is one of the priceless treasures of the
French national gallery ut Versailles. to
be sent to the embassy at Washington.
The picture shows the notable incident
in American history, when the British
commander, Lord Cornwall, surrendered
to General Washington.
The announcement 10y way of Paris,
that the Italian government had pro-
tested against the continuance Of the
blockade Of the Cuban coast, on the
ground that it was Ineffective. met with
prompt denial ut the State department.,
and II can be stated definitely that
neither in Washington nor Rome has amy
representations on this subject been adj
dressed to the United States govern
ment.
As to the allegation that the blockade
is ineffective, ii is said that on the con
lIuIA II HIS uSCll littA tlNNltttA SHNNtNNANA
and that so far as known not single
neutral ship subject to detention has
passed the lines without the consent of
our government. The Montserrat, il is
true, did enter Cenfuegos harbor before
our blockading ships had time to get
around the south side of Cuba and estab-
lish the blockade and she did manage 10
get out at night But she Is Spanish
ship and Spain is perhaps the only ma
I on in the world that has lost the power
to enter a protest against the blockade.
being combatant herself. II is only for
neutral powers to enter such protests,
and none of them has as yet had the {
slightest preteXt for such action.
With the beginning Of the present I
week the Spanish vessels in the Uni
ted States ports. which sailed after the {
outbreak OF war, are subject to seizure I
ms well as all Spanish merchantmen
found on tie high seas. save where they
left port for the United States before
April 2lst last. The Presidents procla !
nation Of war allowed such ships lying
in our ports or hound for them thirty t
days IN which to discharge cargoes and
also insured them safe enassage home 2
That period Of time expired Saturday
night This it IS expected will tend to :
free the State Department from compli-
cations.
Under the energetic management of
Captain bartlett, who was recalled from
the retired list into the active service Of i
the Navy Department for the purpose a
there has Just been perfected a most adj T
mirable and thorough system Of coast c
signalling for war PURPOSES. The Navy i
Department itself established thirty sta. !