Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-04-28
THE RIGHT 70 BLOCKADE.
Dip1omatists Say No Question Can
Be Raised as to That-Fears
for Foreigners in Havana.
A SPANISH fREIGHTER is CAPTURED.

American Liner Paris Has Been Cap
tured by a Spanish Cruiser-The Topeka
Believed to Be Safe-Spaniards Have
Captured the Shenandoah
WASHINGTON, April 24-Members of
the diplomatic corps say that no queS-
tion can be raised as to the right of the
United States to declare a blockade.
The foreign representatives are be-
ginning to feel much uneaSinesS over
the situation of foreign subjects re-
siding at Havana and other points
covered by the blockade. So long as
the blockade is peaceful the foreign
residents are not likely to suffer. But
in case of a bombardment the foreign
element might be out in jeopardy
along with the native popula-
ton, unless ample time were
given to foreigners to withdraw.
For that reason earnest inquiries are
being made at the embassies and 1ega-
tions as to what notice the United
States will give foreign residents at
Havana and elsewhere of a bonn
bardment. There is no doubt this
government would give ample time
for foreigners to withdraw, and in
case of non-combatants it is usual to
give at least "a hours notice of bonn
bardment. but there might be ser ious
difficulty in the way of such notice in
case the Spanish forts open fire on
American ships, as it is hardly to be
expected that the ships would remain
under fire for "a hours without return
ing the fire. Under the existing cir
cumstances members of the diplomatic
corps are looking for a notification
giving ample time for the withdrawal
Of oil
a Spanish Freighter Captured.
New YORK, April ga dispatch to
the New York Herald from Key West
this morning says: 1.-The blockade of
Havana was esta blished at four o'clock
yesterday afternoon. The flagship
New York captured Spanish steam
ship under the guns of Moro castle
after a thrilling chase" A special to
the New York Press said that the
steamer was sighted about ten
miles off Havana by the flag
ship of Capt SIMPSONS fleet The
New York sent shot across the
Spaniard's bow. This did not stop
her. Then Capt. Sampson ordered all
steam on and a stern chase of four
miles followed. When the flagship
got in better range she sent three more
shots after the Spaniard. Then the
steamer move TO- AT HrSC 1t was
thought the prize was the Spanish
mail steamer, Alfonso Nil, due to ar
rive in Havana and supposed to have
1000 soldiers aboard. Later it was
learned that it was Spanish freigh ter,
the Pedro.
To Stock Coal Depots.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-It is very
hard to secure from the naval authori-
ties any admission touching the move
ments of the squadronS or individual
ships Secretary Long has reasoned
| that if he undertakes to answer ques-
tons of this character, even though
they NAV not be of Importance, shrew0
and correct inference might be drawn
from his refusal to answer other ques-
tons and the enemy might profit
thereby. The navy department. pre-
pared to take Immediate advantage of
any action of congress in the direction
of providing for coal depots and has
already outlined plans for the estab-
lishment of such depots and has ascer-
tanned the feast bility of stocking them
at very short notice.
Is the American Liner Paris Taken?
LONDON, April 24.-The afternoon
| newspapers of this city have received
| dispatches from Belfast saying trust
worthy news has been received there
| to the effect that the American liner
| Paris had been captured off the Irish
| coast by a Spanish cruiser. 1t is be-
| lieved here that the telegraphic re-
| ports from Belfast referring to the ru-
mored capture of the American liner
| Paris are simply repetitions of the re-
| port of yesterday evening. which have
! since been found to be untrue As the
day progresses, various conflicting war
| rumors follow each other in quick sue
| cesSiOn.
| The Topeka Believed to Be Safe.
| LONDON, April "a AT the United
States embassy here and in other quar-
| tiers no confirmation has been received
| of the report from Falmouth that the
United States cruiser Topeka has
| foundered in a collision with the bark
| Albatross. The Topeka was after
| wards said to be safe, the steamer
which collided with the Albatross be-
| ing identified.
The Shenandoah Captured
LONDON, April 24.-It is reported
| here that the Spaniards have captured
| the American ship Shenandoah, Capt
| Murphy, which left San Francisco on
January 5 for Liverpool. She is a four
| masted vessel of $3.50 tons register
| and owned by Arth ur Sewal & Co, on
Bath, Me.
ANGLO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE.