The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-14
No Expert Gunners Could Be
Aboard the Lafayette.
WOULD BECOME oEsERTERs,
4xenuA Consular Agent In This CITY.
DE-. AAxfen Monoa, Resents the
1mDatafton Cast ny Press Dis
De<ohes On His PeOpie-Be Cites
.Gv1fh Good Authority Passages
From Declaration Of Neutrality.

Or. Adr1sn Monod objects to the impufa-
eion leyeled at the French nation In It's
sympathy with Spain in the present war.
The story printed In yesterdays Post
1ntaIisgencer was Gent out by the Associ-
ated Press and was furnished TO 1t by the
Stew York World. TO which 1t came as
sspscaL There was only a suggestion In
: the Dispatch that the improved gunnery
> cf tsas Spanish at cienfuegos was due
so che Introduction of trained men, and
the additional suggestion also carried that
the new gnnners were Frenchmen who ar
rived on the steamer Lafayette. This I'm
rutation DR.. Monod refutes He was
sArsd concerning the probability of a
french participation tn the battle in which
the torpedo boat winslow Was destroyed
ana I'VE Of her crew killed. and replied:
1.-THE post-Inteillgeneer Of this day pub
NShes . piece OF news which / cannot lei
pass without protest. since It may create
among your readers a sentiment OF grew
ancs against the French nation IL ~ In
t.mated mat some French artillery officers
and GunIers haYe been carried 10 Cuba
by the Lafayette 10 serve In the Spanish
ranks. This. as a matter OF fact. Is an
: ;mpoasibilty, and / wish this TO be well
understood. 20 that not shadow OF
doubt can remain. No man belonging TO
the Erench army or navy. whether an Off
Ger or private, whether In active service
or belonging to the reserve, can serve In
the ranks of a fcreigo army without
forfeitsng his nationality. being considered
as deserter and treated as such.
"Euch IL the law at all times. Further
more. let me translate. for the benefit OF
your readers, some passages OF the dec
iaration OF neutrality as published by the
French government:
-. The government OF the French repub-
lie declares and notifies whom Ii may con-
cern that II Is resolved TO observe strict
neutrality IN the war between Spain aud
the United States.
Tt Is its duty TO remind French ciu-
gems residing in France. In it's colonies or
protectorates and in foreign Countries. that
they must avoid any act which. In viola
ton OF the French laws or the right Of
nations. might he considered as hostile 10
either one OF the be!lsgefents. or contrary
to . scrupuious neutrality.
They are forbidden notably 10 enlist
or serve either in the land forces or on
hoard one OF the warships OF either bel
iigerent, or 10 contribute to the arma
ment or equipment of a warship.
Amy person who might act contrary
70 the above orders cannot ask nor expect
any protection from the government or its
agents against measures that. according
to International law. the helligerents migat
exercise. and such person shall be proe.-
cuted I'm accordance with the laws OF the
republic
''Tsnese statements speak for themselves.
and will SUFFICE / hope, to prevent such a
groundless suppositson finding Its way
again into your paper.
1T In a sad thing to see anything like
a bad feeling among two such old friends
as tho republic OF France and the United
States and il Is well that people should not
let themselves DO deceived In this matter.
II know that every true American viii
bs glad to know for a certainty that a
ship bearing the sacred name OF Lafayette
and flying the French flag has not trans
ported to Cuba a single freachmau intent
on aiming guns At the Stars and Stripes"