Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1898 — WAS A BAD BLUNDER. [ARTICLE]

WAS A BAD BLUNDER.

Capture French Liner La Fayette ' an Unfortunate Incidsnt. GOVERNMENT ORDERS HER RELEASE. Instruction* to ,Pc.rfuttJHer to Enter Havana Not Received by Officer* of Blockading Squadron Until After the Capture. Key West, Fla., May 7.—Commodore Watson has received orders from Washington instantly to release the French mail steamer La Fayette and to send her to Havana under escort. The capture of the Frenchman by the gunboat Annapolis turns out to have been an unfortunate incident, resulting from mistakes, but no protest has been made to the representatives of the French government in the United States. The officials here declare that this will settle the affair. It appears that before the La Fayette sailed for Havana the French legation in Washington was instructed to communicate with the state department. This was done and permission granted to the steamer to enter and discharge her passengers and cargo, with the understanding that she would take on nothing there. Instructions for the fulfillment of this agreement were sent from Washington to Admiral Sampson's squadron, and it was only learned, after the capture was macie, that they were never delivered. Friday afternoon United States Commissioner Otto, United States District Attorney Stripling and a number of other federal officials went out to the La Fayette, examined her papers and cabled the state department for instructions. These ehme without delay in the form of an order to Commodore Watson. Han No Contraband of War. The United States authorities who examined the Lafayette Friday say that so far as the ship’s manifest shows she carries no contraband of war, but with

*uch an immense cargo it was impossible to make n thorough inspection. 1 hey saw nothing in the mil lire of arms or ammunition on board. Will lie Dio Trouble. Washington, May 7. Any international difficulty connected with the seizure of the French steamer La Fayette has been removed by the prompt release of the vessel immediijtely upon notice of her capture reaching the state department. The explanation for this action on the part of the administration is given in the statement which follows and which was issued from the white house Friduy night: "The Lafayette was released In pursuance of orders which were Issued by the navy department previously to her seizure, but which had r.ot been received by the commanding officers of the vessels that made the capture. The facts are that on April 29 the French embassy made an Informal Inqutry as to whether the Lafayette, which left Saint Nazalre, France, for Vera Cruz, by way of Havana, before war was declared or Information of the blockade was received, would bo allowed to land at Havana certain passengers, her mall bags and the dispatch bag of the consulate general of France and take some French passengers on board. An assurance was given that, If this privilege should be granted, the steamer would be« forbidden by the French coneul to land goods. "The matter was duly considered, and It was decided that, without regard to the strict law of blockade, and as an act of courtesy, the request of the French government should be acceded to. Orders were accordingly sent on the second day of May. When Information was received of the capture of the steamer and of her having been brought to Key West, these orders were communicated to the captors, with Instructions to release the steamer and to see that the orders were duly delivered, so that they might be carried Into effect. No demand was made, either by or on behalf of the French government, directly or Indirectly, for the steamer’s release. The Wilmington will escort the Lafayette to Havana.” Hitter Keeling In France. London, Mny 7.—A special dispatch from I'urin say* that the seizure of the La Fayette has intensified the bitter feeling ugainst the United States. Angry expressions are heard. The United States embassy is under special police protection in view of a possible hostile demonstration. STORY OF Til 1C CAPTUKK. Hoi Chase After the I.n Knyette liefore She la llrouaht To. Key West, Fla., May 7.—The Associated I’ress dispatch boat, Kate Spencer, has brought in the following account of the capture of the La Fayette: The La Fayette,*'of the French General Transatlantic company’s line, a vessel of

t. 894 tons, gross register, bound for n l l ng na. Spain, on April 23, for Havana, whs captured Thursday evening off the latterport by the United States gunboat Annapolis, Commander J. J. Hunker, while trying” to run the blockade after having previous—ly been warned off. She has on board atlarge number of passengers and a valua—ble general cargo, possibly containing cotstraband of war. The La Fayette, which hails from Sfc. Ignarlco, France, la a fine vessel of th«» old type. She is 344 feet long, has 44 feet, beam and is 28 feet deep. She was built lax 1864 at Greenock of iron. Wo* Warned Off. Her capture was effected shortly befons*» sundown In the following manner: The La Fayette was heading for Havanaae and was boarded by an officer of the An—napolls and warned not to enter port. Sha * afterwards made an attempt to do so an<L& was captured after an exciting chase. Wilmington, Newport and Morrill took parte in the capture of the Frenchman. After an examination of the La Fayettef«fca papers had been made a prize crew from the Annapolis was placed on board an<Lx she was sent to Key West, escorted by tbasa Wilmington. Long Exchange of Signals. Previous to this step being taken, Cdmrrmander Hunker, of the Annapolis, the tenmporary flag officer, and Commajider.Ot.CsC. Todd, of the Wilmington, exchanged sigr - nals for over an hour. A delicate- intern*— tlonal question is thought to be Involved.!*... the capture of the French steamer, but Ifcj was seemingly finally decided to sendho*--to Key West. The fact that shS-defttH* Spanish port, Corunna, on April 23, aftecr- | the declaration of war, which, occurred omi i April 21, seems to warrant holding the Tt*.w . Fayette.