The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-07
WAS CAPTURED
BUT RELEASED
lcontlnued From - 20.

cally into the captains cabin, where he
was az dinner with his visitors. and beg
pci the Americans 10 save their lives.
one Mexican woman. wife of a Sp3niard
who was seized with "a spasm when the
Annapolis held up the Lafayette yestcT-
day duplicated the performance when
the salute was fred and for some time
80 was feared her. life was in danger
Commodore Remcy arrived on The
Mascotte this afternoon. While nothing
official can be learned as ~ whether he
will take command 81 the second divI-
sion of the fleet 10 is said on good au-
thority that his assignment is 20 assume
control Of the naval station here.
Companies and G.. ~ tho Twenty
Nth Infantry Ccolored) did not go 10 the
Tortugas last evening as was expected
hut Will leave tonight 90 join tho other
troops ~ Tampa.
THE BLOCKADE MAINTAINED.
Tho reports from the blockade lire to-
day arc that the situation IS unchanged.
The small cruisers ARE suH lined up.
with the Gunboat Annapolis acting as
flagship.
RELEASE THE FRENCHMAN.
KEY WEST MAY 6.-G.j0 T. M-Com-
modore Watson this afternoon received
orders from Washington TO instantly re-
Tense the French mail steamer Lafayette
and 90 scnd her 20 Havana under escort.
The capture OF the FrcnChman by the
cunboat Annapolis turns ont 90 have
been an unfortunate incident resulting
from mistakes. but no protest has been
made 10 tho repre- ecntativos OF the
French government in tho United states.
The officials here declare mat this will
close tho affair. 70 appears that before
the Lafayette sailed for Havana. the
French legation I'm Washington was i'm
structod 20 communicate with the state
Department
This was done and permission granted
20 the steamer 90 enter and discharge
hor passengers and cargo. with the UNI
derstanding that she would take on
nothing there instructions for tho fu'-
dlmcut Of this agreement We're sent from
Washington % Admiral SIMPSONS squad
ron and 90 was only learned to-day af-
ter Tho capture was made that they were
never delivered.
This afternoon United states Commits
ri0ncr otto United states Attorney
Stripping and other Federal officials won't
ont 20 the lafayette and examined her
parors and cahled tho state Department
FOR instructions. They came without de-
law in the form OF the order 10 Commo-
doro Watson.
40 INTERNATIONAL TROUBLE
WASHINGTON. d. c.. May 6.--Any i'm
torIa u0nal dIfhCulty eotcd with the
seizure of the French steamer Lafayette
has been removed by the prompt release
of the vessel Immediately upon notice
Of her capture reaching the State De
partmnt The explanation Tor this ace
ton on the part of Che administration Is
given i'm the statement which follows.
and which was issued from the White
House tonight:
"Tha Lafayette was released i'm pur-
ne ~
partment previously TO her seizure, but
which had not been received by the COM
maodug officers Of the vessels that made
the capture. The facts are that on April
2gth the French Embassy made an in
formal inquiry as TO whether the La
fayette. which left Saint Nazairre, France,
for Vera cruz by way Of Havana, before
the war was declared or information Of
the blockade received. would he allowed
TO land AZ Havana certain passengers.
her mail ana the dispatch bag OF tha
Consulatc-Gcncral of France, and to take
some French passengers on board. An
assurance was given that. II this privi-
legc should be granted the steamer would
| be forbidden by the French Consul TO
/ land goods.
ACT OF COURTESY.
"Thc matter was duly considered. and
/ 10 was decided that without regard to
the strict law Of blockade, and as an act
/ OF courtesy, the request Of the French
| Government should De acceded to-
ORDERS were sent on the second LAY
of May when information was received
! of tine capuro of the steamer. and of her
/ hav.rg been brought T. Key West these
/ orders wrc communicated to the cdptors
! with instructions TO release the steamer
! and to- see that the orders were duly de-
| uvorcd so that they might be carried In
/ to effect 40 demand was made either
| bv or on behalf Of the French Govern
| ment directly or indirectly for the
! steamer release.
"The Wilmington will escort the La
! f8yctte TO Havana tonight