Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-07

'h'H iVhoNtu u long spell or WiR-Wag-
ging between the Annapolis and the VIII
nington In the dusk OF the evening, the
sun dropping behind the horizon and the
night falling over the scene like a drop
curtain, for there is no twilight in these
lautudes. Later, electric signals sue
ceeded the flags. and there was a nervous
period Of winking and blinking red and
white questions and answers. The sig
mailing continued for almost an hour,
possibly longer. while the puzzled dis
patch boats gathered in the weak moon
lght. impatiently awaited the solution Of
the signal consultation.
At 7:i5 i. NJ. the Annapolis and the
Wilmington lowered boats and the Off
GERS boarded the Frenchman. Their
visit was soon over, and after the boats
had returned TO their respective ships
prize crew from the Wilmington was put
on board the Lafayette. and at Sis last
night the big Frenchman was headed
north. and was escorted to Key West.
under the guns of the Wilmington. The
prize anchored here this morning.
MANY YOUNG STANDARDS.
OF the 16S passengers on board the
Lafayette, seventy-siX are for Habana,
nearly all being young Spanards. who
say they are going to Cuba to engage in
mercantile pursuits. When surprise was
displayed that such was their mission at
this time they merely shrugged their
shoulders. and yOuchsafed no further eX-
planation.
one Cuban was aboard. who was re-
turning to join the insurgent army. He
was banished from the island seven
months ago, but came within the terms
of General Blanco's armistice just be-
fore the war began. He was overjoyed
when told that he would be taken with
the regular United States troops when
they moved. The local junta took him
i'm charge. and he leaves for Tampa to-
night
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
ammunition on board.
The ships release constitutes the first
official act Of Commodore Watson. in his
new command of this division Of Admiral
SIMPSONS fleet. He arrived on the
Oliyette to-day. and Immediately wept
on board the cruiser Cincinnati where
he hoisted his flag.
LAFAYETTE PASSENGERS SCARED.
The ships in the harbor doomed com
modore's salute of eleven guns this after
noon. This customary act Of courtesy
to new commanding officer had dis
tressing effect on the Lafayette's pas
sengers. The Federal officials were
dining with Captain Chapeta. at the
time and suddenly found themselves III
the midst of a panic The Spaniards
yelled that the enemy had opened IRE.
and they scampered about the deck 10
q. Of II. q
burst franticaHy into the Captains
cabin where ne was at dinner with his
visitors. and begged the Americans to
save their lives one Mexican woman,
wife of a Spaniard. who was seized with
a spasm when the Annapolis held up the
Lafayette yesterday. duplicated the per
formance when the salute was fired. and
for some time it was feared her life was
in danger
ORDER FOR FRENCHMANS RE
LEASE.
KEY WEST FLA. May g. $50 p. NJ
Commodore Watson this afternoon re-
ceived orders from Washington 10 in
stantly release the French mail steamer
LAFAYETTE and to send her TO Habana
under escort
The capture Of the Frenchman by the
gunboat Annapolis turns out to have been
am unfortunate incident, resulting from
mistakes. but no protest has been made
bv the representatives of the French
Government in the United States. The
officials here declare that this will close
the affair.
II appears that before the Lafayette
sailed for Habana the French Legation
i'm Washington was instructed to commu-
nicate with the state Department. This
was done and permission was granted
TO the steamer TO enter and discharge
her passengers and cargo, with the un-
derstanding that she would take on no.
thing there. instructions for the fulfil
ment of this agreement were sent from
Washington to Admiral SIMPSONS squad
ron. and it was only learned to-day af-
ter the capture was made, that they
were never delivered.
This afternoon United States Comms
sioner Otto United States Attorney
STRIPPING, and number Of other Federal
officials went ont TO the Lafayette, eX
amined her papers. and cabled the State
Department for instructions. They came
without delay. i'm the form of the order
to Commodore Watson.
no INTERNATIONAL TROUBLE.
WASHINGTON. May 6.-Any interna-
tional difficulty connected with the seizure
of the French steamer Lafayette has
been removed by the prompt release Oh
the vessel. Immediately upon notice OF
her capture reaching the state Depart
ment The explanation for this action on
he part of the administration is given
i'm the statement which follows. ana
which was issued from the White House
Tonight
"Tbe LAFAYETTE was released i'm pursu-
,,,. of orders issued bV the Navy De-
nartment previous TO her seizure, but
which had not been received by the COM
manding officers Of the vessels that made
the capturc. The facts are that on April
oath the French embassy made an IN
formal inquiry as to whether the La
tavette. which left st. Nazaire, France,
Cor Vera Cruz by way of Habana, before
the war was declared, or information ol
The blockade received. would be allowed
10 land at Habana certain passengers,
rer mail-bags. and the dispatch-bag OF |
the Consulate-Gener of France, ana 10 |
take some French passengers on board |
An assurance was given that II TINS PRIV
ilege should be granted, the steamer |
would be forbidden by the French CohsuI |
to land goods.
COURTESY TO FRANCE
.erbe matter was duly considered ana |
q was decided that. without regard 10 |
the strict law of blockade ana as an act
AZ courtesy. the request of the french |
should be acceded 10. oruers
,,-ara sent on the second day OF May. |
When information was received or the |
oapt,re OF the steamer, ana OF hei
having been brought 20 Key west these
orders were communicated to the captors'
with instructions to release the steamer
4ttla ~.