The record-union., 1898-05-07


Although Mr.. Treyvoux states that
the vessel was not bound for Havana,
cable reports published here show that
the Lafayette sailed from COrunna,
Spain, for that port.
THE SEIZURE AS VIEWED IN
WASHINGTON CIRCLES.
WASHINGTON, May 6-The seizure
of the French liner Lafayette by the
gunboat Annapolis caused a distinct
sensation in official and diplomatic cir
cles here, as it is believed to involve the
possibility of more serious complica-
tions than have arisen thus far.
The officials of the State Department
and of the French Embassy received
the news of the capture from the Asso-
ciated Press dispatches, and in both
quarters it was given grave attention.
In the State Department it was taken
as a forerunner of number of cases OF
like character to follow, for this was
the experience of the United States
blockading forces during the Civil war.
Many times during the progress of that
war the country was on the verge OF
breach of diplomatic relations with
some of the European nations because
of the seizure of the blockade-runners.
I L
cials of the department declare posi-
tively-and in this they are supported
by the unanimous voice of the naval
officials-that there can be no question
that the Lafayette was blockade-run-
ner and as such is a lawful prize.
The State Department has been dis
posed to treat with the greatest liberal
ity the shipping of neutral Powers, and,
+o1y Or
vanced position in this matter. In the
proclamation of the 26th ult. the Presl-
/ dent said the right of search is to be OBJ
served with strict regard for the rights
/ of neutrals. and the voyages of mail
| steamers are not to be interfered with
except on the clearest ground of sus-
picion Of a violation of the law IN re-
spect to contraband or blockade
1t will be noticed that in this the
/ President expressly warns foreign yes
/ sels even mail vessels, against break
/ ing the blockade, which seems to have
been exactly what the Lafayette at
tempted. 1t is said that whether or not
the ship carried contraband of war IS
absolutely immaterial in the disposition
of her case. In his proclamation OF the
22d ult. the President said:
"A neutral vessel approaching any Of
said ports or attempting to leave the
same without knowledge or notice OF
the establishment of such blockade Will
be duly warned by the commander OF
the blockading forces, who Will lndorSe
or have registered the date OF such
warning and where such warning was
made and if the vessel shall again at
tempt to enter any blockaded port she
will be captured and sent to the nearest
convenient port for such proceedings
against her and her cargo as may be
| deemed advisable
In the opinion of officials the La
fayette has clearly violated the provl-
sions of this section of the prOclama-
ton. which was carefully drawn in ac-
cordance with the most advanced theo-
ries of the rights of neutrals
The seriousness of the question, how
ever, arises from the fact that the fore
going view of the officials here is not
likely to be accepted by the French
Government and it's representatives IN
Washington.
At the French Embassy the Embas-
sador had intended to go to New York
to-day, but on hearing of the taking of
the Lafayette he determined to remain
here to look after such questions as
were likely to arise. In the absence OF
official information he asked to be eX-
cused from discussing what course the
French Government would take. 1t is
said however, that France will lodge a
protest with the State Department i'm
mediately upon the receipt of official
information of the seizure.
The view is entertained in French
quarters that the State Department will
promptly direct the release of the La
fayette, owing to certain circumstances
in her case. The Embassy was advised
eight days ago that the Lafayette was
/ on her way to this side, and accordingly
a notice was sent to the State Depart
ment that this French merchantmen
might be expected to reach Havana
about this time No answer was re-
ceived from the State Department, but
after giving this notice the French au-
thOrities took it for granted that the
LAFAYETTE would be allowed to proceed
on her voyage without molestation
The understanding here was that she
had sailed from ST. NaZaire France
not from Corunna, Spain, as st. NaZaire
is the usual sailing port of steamers OF
this line. One of the officers of the
legation made the trip on one of these
vessels a short time ago, and says nc
stop is made at Corunna except occa-
sionally on a return voyage. 1t was
the understanding also that the Lafay-
cite was stopping at Havana merely tC
recoal, prior to going to Vera Cruz
Mexico, the final destination of the
liner.
The French think that the Lafayette
has been delayed through a misappre-
hensiOn, and that her release Will fol
low speedily. The grounds for this view
are that she sailed prior to the declara
tion of war, and therefore her Captain
could not know of this declaration. !
; is pointed out that the declaration o.
war was made on April 25th; that th'
, Presidents proclamation concerning
l the rights of neutrals was issued on tn
26th, and that the official notice there
on. signed by Acting Secretary of Stat
Adee and addressed to the Embassa
doris and Ministers here, including tn
French ambassador, bears date of Apri
9TH This, however is complicated b.
the fact that the Presidents proclama
ton of a blockade was made on Apri
22d. and the official notice to tn
2 French and other Embassies signed b.
Secretary Sherman, bears date of Apri
23d The point relied upon, however, /
e that the declaration of war was no
Y made until April 10Th, and the officia
t notice not given to the foreign Govern
- mantS until the 9th In addition &