Evening star., 1909-09-03
ETNA WAS NOT SPYING
American Warship Tardy in
Answering Her Salute.
COURTESY MADE HER WAIT
Capt Baggio Indignant at Hint
That Affront Was Intended.
SHIP NOT OUT OF COURSE
Did Not Know Target Practice Was
in Progress Until Too Late to
Avoid Speaking Fleet.
COURTESY MADE HER WAIT
SHIP NOT OUT OF COURSE
Special From STAFF Correspondent.

Special From STAFF Correspondent.
BALTIMORE, Nd, September g.
Charged with violating naval etiquette by
lingering near the United States fleet at
target practice off Cape Henry, Capt.
Baggio commander of the Italian train
ing ship Etna, now at anchor in Balti-
more harbor. makes the assertion that
mad the Americans not been so tardy in
answering his salute there would
have been no necessity for him to extend,
almost to the breaking point, the interna-
tional courtesy that obliges a ship salut-
ing to remain in the vicinity while the
other craft is given an opportunity to
make the return salute.
Capt. Baggio, in an interview with The
Star correspondent this morning, stated
emphatically that, while it was true he
did remain in the vicinity of the practicing
ships, he was nevertheless duty bound to
do so in order to receive the reply to the
salute he gave as he passed the first
ship of the line.
He declares that when he fired his guns
ne anticipated a quick reply as he
steamed along. Not getting it, and ap-
preciating that the Americans may have
been taken unawares. with no saluting
ammunition handy, he slowed down and
then hove TO. When he heard the salute
TO him he steamed on.
Not Out of True Course.
Il am indignant that such a matter
has been given publication, and 1 am sur
prised as WELL" said the captain I'VE
were en- route from Bermuda and were
on our true course to the capes of the
Chesapeake.
Early Sunday morning the first of the
American ships were sighted directly
ahead. Without changing our course we
steamed toward them.
'As we reached the first ship in the line
we gave the customary salute. At the
time we did not know whether the fleet
was at practice. Later, when we found
that they were, 1t was too late for us to
change our course, and We kept on, pass
ing ship after ship.
In the meantime, our salute had not
been answered. We slowed down, pass
ing between the ships and the targets.
for the simple reason that 1t was too late
to swerve and go around the targets.
Under reduced speed we passed ship
after ship, but not a gun was heard.
When we found ourselves off the flagship
of Admiral Schroeder, the last ship of
the line, we were placed in the predica-
ment of either running away or waiting
for the salute. Courtesy demands the
latter course, and we hove to, waiting.
Salute Allowed Her to Proceed.
After time the salute was fired.
This was at once accepted, not only as a
return OF the courtesy, but all that was
expected or wanted. We continued on
our way 10 the capes, giving the matter
no further thought.
While We were passing by the fleet
rract caiiy every man of my vessel was
pu deck. Those WHO had glasses no doubt
used them 10 lock III the beautiful fight
III. craft around rs. But as 10 our spy
ing upon them to ascertain any of their
secrets, why that IS ridiculous.
capt. BdgGio, who is the Marquis of
nacarnc. and one OF the best known
officers in the Italian navy. and regarded
al home rs highly proficient in his call
ing, was greatly lnceused. He paced his
quarter deck while he denounced IN most
emphatic language the very suggestion
hat either he or any of his men should
have ben spying upon the operations Of
the American feet.
i knew absolutely nothing Of it until
/ read the morning papers," he con-
tInped. Therefore. the visit to Wash
ington yesterday, had nothing to do with
tie matter. our visit there was solely
for the purpose OF visiting the public
buildings and the other interesting
places.
We did not even visit the Italian en-
hassy, as ii Is closed for the summer
The entire time in Washington was spent
N sightseeing.
Targets Not New.
AS far as the targets used by the
American fleet are concerned, they con-
sisted of huge pieces of canvas on
which ships are painted and are swung
from torpedo boats to floats. There is
nothing new about them.
For six years they have been used
by the Italian navy and other navies
The men of the Aetna could gain from
them no information they have not al
ready
The whole affair is ridiculous and is
so trifing matter that ii is not worthy
of serious attention"