UNCLE SAM AND SPAIN

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, March 15, 1895.

UNCLE SAM GOES SLOW.

No Hasty Action to Be Taken Toward Spain.

LOOKING UP PRECEDENT CASES.

A Generally Discredited Rumor Has it That a Sharp Warning Has Been Sent to Spain

—Officials Decline to Discuss the Matter.

   WASHINGTON, March 15.—The department of state is moving with deliberation in making up its case against the Spanish government based on the firing by a Spanish cruiser at the American steamship Allianca, holding that in matters of such moment it is absolutely essential our government should be in possession of the facts, so as to avoid the humiliation of reaction through making a demand that could not be sustained by the evidence.

   So far no reply has been received at the department in response to the request made upon Captain Grossman of the Allianca for further particulars of the incident.

   In the meantime the officials are industriously looking up precedents for their guidance, and Mr. Uhl, who is still acting as secretary of state during the continued illness of Mr. Gresham, is in frequent consultation with his superior at his rooms in his hotel.

   One of the precedents which has been unearthed and brought to the attention of the acting secretary as having a direct bearing on the Allianca incident was found in the proceedings of the Alabama claims commission.

   In one of the decisions announced by Judge French the court held that there was no authority for the stoppage or detention of a mail steamer which is pursuing her usual route, even if that route lay at places within the 3-mile shore limit, and so within the marine jurisdiction of the power seeking to stop the ship.

   If this is held to be sound doctrine then of course the Spanish government will make reparation for the action of its cruiser, even should it appear that the Allianca was within three miles of Cape Maysi, as the Spanish minister here believes. On the other hand, if this decision is not of effect, then what is known as the headland theory of jurisdiction will probably play an important part in the adjustment of the matter.

   According to the contention of Great Britain in the Fortune bay fisheries case, in which the United States has acquiesced, the line of marine jurisdiction is drawn three miles from a line running across from headland to headland, in the case of a bay or a depression in the general coast line.

   The Spanish authorities evidently take the position at this time, in absence of exact advices, that the Allianca was within such a line and so within their jurisdiction, although the ship may have been actually more than three miles from the nearest shore.

   Probably, based on the Alabama decision above referred to, a rumor was in circulation to the effect that the state department had sent a sinister warning to the Spanish government to the effect that a declaration of war would follow a repetition of the Allianca affair.

   Acting Secretary Uhl said that he had no further information to give to the press than he had already given out, and taking their cue from him the other officials of the state department absolutely declined to say anything about the Allianca. But, from the fact that no intimation of any such precipitate action in the absence of a knowledge of the facts had been communicated to the Spanish minister here, which would certainly be the case if the usual diplomatic amenities were observed, even if such a message had been sent to the Spanish government, directly through United States Minister Taylor at Madrid, the story failed to find much credence.

LETTER TO CAPTAIN CROSSMAN.

State Department Wants Further Details of the Spanish Incident.

   NEW YORK, March 15.—Captain Crossman of the Allianca has received the following letter from the department of state at Washington:

   To Captain James Crossman, Commander of the Allianca:

   SIR—I have received your letter of March, without date, but which reached the department today, March 13, which reports the circumstances under which the above named steamship on her homeward voyage from Colon, Colombia, to New York, off the north Cuban coast, on the 8th inst., was fired upon by a Spanish gunboat.

   The department desires to receive from you a statement of fact in the form of an affidavit, accompanied, if possible, by a sketch chart, showing the course of the Allianca in passing Cape Maysi, and the distance of the vessel from the nearest point of the Island of Cuba.

   The affidavit should be explicit upon these two points. Awaiting such, I am, sir,

   Your obedient,

   EDWIN F. UHL, Acting Secretary.

SPAIN MUST APOLOGIZE

For Firing Upon the American Flag on March 8.

   MADRID, March 15.—Hannis Taylor, the American minister, to-day presented to the minister for foreign affairs a demand from his government for apology and reparation from the government of Spain on account of the Allianca affair. Mr. Taylor's action was based on the following dispatch from Mr. Gresham, dated Washington yesterday:

   This department is informed that on 8th inst.,, the United States mail steamship "Allianca," on her homeward voyage from Colon to New York when six miles from coast of Cuba, off Cape Maysi, was repeatedly fired upon by a Spanish gunboat, with solid shot which fortunately fell short. The windward passage where this occurred is the natural and usual highway for vessels plying between ports of the United States and the Caribbean sea. Through it several regular lines of American mail and commercial steamers pass weekly within sight of Cape Maysi. They are well known, and their voyage embraces no Cuban port of call. Forcible interference with them can but be claimed as a belligerent act, whether they pass within three miles of the Cuban coast or not, and can, under no circumstances be tolerated when no state of war exists. This government will expect prompt disavowal of the unauthorized act and due expression of regret on the part of Spain, and it must insist that immediate and positive orders be given to Spanish naval commanders not to interfere with legitimate American commerce passing through that channel, and prohibiting all acts wantonly imperiling life and property lawfully under the flag of the United States. You will communicate this to the minister for foreign affairs, and urge the importance of prompt and satisfactory response.

   GRESHAM.

Meeting of the Cortland County Medical Society.

   The quarterly meeting of the Cortland County Medical society was held at the supervisors' rooms yesterday afternoon and was called to order at 1:30 o'clock by Dr. H. T. Dana, president, in the chair. The members present were Drs. Bennett, Dana, Edson, Gardnier, Higgins, Neary, Sornberger and White of Cortland, Whitney and Green of Homer, Trafford and Miles of Marathon, Forshee of McGrawville and Kinyon of Cincinnatus.

   A short time was given to the reports of individual cases, after which Dr. Edson read an interesting paper on "Epidemic Influenza," giving its causes, symptoms, treatment, etc., and the subject was then discussed by all the members present, more especially with reference to treatment.

   Dr. Dana, as chairman of the committee on preparing a revision of the society manual and bylaws, then read the new bylaws as proposed by the committee. It was moved that the report of the committee be adopted and that the adoption of the new bylaws at the annual meeting be recommended. Carried.

   The board of censors reported favorably on the name Dr. William A. Miles of Marathon for membership in the society and, on motion, Dr. Miles was elected to membership.

   The question of resuming relations with the state society came up as unfinished business from the last meeting and the members in passing a resolution offered by Dr. Higgins that a delegate be chosen at the next meeting to represent this society in the state body thus recorded their votes in favor of returning to the state organization. The meeting then adjourned.

   F. H. GREEN, Secretary.

Operation at the Hospital.

   Mrs. Hannah Robinson, who has been living in the Grand Central block, has been bed-ridden for some weeks with large ulcers and dead bone in the right leg. The only hope of saving her life lay in an operation, so to-day the leg was removed at the hospital. The operation was performed by Dr. F. W. Higgins, assisted by Dr. F. D. Reese and Dr. S. J. Sornberger, Dr. A. J. White and Dr. J. Angel being present. She has rallied well and it is hoped may recover.

A TEAM IS WANTED.

To Draw the Hook and Ladder Truck to Fires.

   President D. F. Waters and Foreman Bert H. Bosworth of the Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co. are agitating the question of a team of horses to be owned by the village corporation, to be kept in a barn near the engine house for the purpose of drawing the hook and ladder truck to fires. Had a team been at hand last Sunday morning, according to the reports of some of the first persons on the scene, the fire could have been extinguished and the damage would probably have been slight. Instead of this there were not enough men present at the time when the ladders were most needed to move the truck by hand. It weighs two tons, and is a heavy piece of apparatus to handle. There was a delay of over ten minutes before the truck could be even started from the engine house. At this time, when the flames were shooting up the elevator shaft, ten minutes was of vital importance.

   There is not a more important company in the fire department than the Hook & Ladder company and when the fire is higher than the first story the Hose companies are unable to do any practical work in extinguishing the flames unless they can reach them with a ladder. It is therefore of the greatest importance that the hook and ladder truck should be on the scene and have a ladder erected, if necessary, by the time the first Hose company on the scene is ready for water.

   The members of the company feel that as they have done all in their power they should have some support from the people and means provided by the corporation for hauling their truck to fires and for the care of the horses.

OUR INDUSTRIAL EDITION.

The Standard's Illustrated Portrayal Of Business Achievements of Cortland and Environs.

   The STANDARD will shortly publish an illustrated industrial edition which, provided sufficient encouragement is given the project, will fairly represent the large and varied interests of Cortland county. The edition will bristle with facts and figures and will be such a valuable "writeup" of our growing section as will prove valuable for distribution, both local and general.

   It will delineate the resources, past growth and future possibilities of this county, and the several towns therein, that have so largely contributed to her wealth and prosperity. It will be handsomely printed and illustrated with cuts of our churches, public buildings and the leading business blocks and manufactories, supplemented with a well written sketch of our town, its societies, etc,, together with portraits of leading citizens.

   No similar work has ever given equal representation of Cortland village and county. It will be an invaluable exposition of our business resources. The circulation is on a plan that cannot fail of good results to those concerned, as well as to the county at large. The edition will be a very large one and sent to persons outside will attract new comers and will be an unequalled advertisement for every one represented. Those desiring views of their residences in this edition will please leave notice at this office.

   We have secured the services of H. A. Haines, to prepare this industrial edition, and we consider him to be most proficient for this work. He has an excellent understanding of what this business requires, is thoroughly practical and has an abundance of resources, which makes him a conspicuous figure in the exacting and varying line of descriptive work. His many successful efforts in this line have brought him credit. His clear conception, complete analysis, vivid arrangement and graphic representation of industrial details, are to his advantage as a descriptive writer. He comes to us highly recommended. We thus introduce him to manufacturers and business men generally, on whom he will call and explain in detail the scope of this work. Mr. Haines is at present at work on a similar edition for the Chenango Telegraph at Norwich, which will be issued very shortly, and will come from that place to Cortland.

Waite's Comedy Company.

   The Pittsburg Evening Leader of Jan. 23, says: "Miss Carrie Louis, a chic and sprightly little soubrette, made her initial appearance at the Grand opera house last evening before a large and enthusiastic audience. The attraction presented was a four-act comedy-drama, entitled "The Buckeye." Miss Louis as Mary Jane was a decided success, and at once sprang into popular favor by her pleasing manner and clever acting. She possesses ability to a marked degree."

   This lady will be supported by the popular Waite's Comedy Co. Premium band and orchestra. This standard amusement record breaker, numbering thirty members, including some of the cleverest of metropolitan specialty people will open at the Cortland Opera House Monday for one week.

BREVITIES.

   —An addition to Sage college, to be used as a dormitory for lady students and costing $50,000, will soon be erected.—Ithacan.

   —Twenty-two safes have been taken from the ruins of the Hamilton fire and the contents of all but one were found to be in a perfect state of preservation.

   —Dell Hart was arraigned before Justice Dorr C. Smith this morning on the charge of rape. He waived examination and was held in $1,000 bail, which he secured, to await the action of the grand jury.

   —A converts' meeting will be held at the Homer-ave. church to-night at 7 o'clock. At 8 P. M. the pastor will deliver the fourth address on Pilgrim's Progress. Any who desire are invited to hear the address.

   —A criminal about to be executed said goodbye to the prison chaplain and to the warden, then shook hands with the executioner, but to the reporters he merely nodded, saying: "I'll see you newspaper men later on."—Oneonta Star.

   —We publish to-day the opening chapter of Chickamauga, a serial story of the war written by Capt. F. A. Mitchel, the author of Chattanooga, which was read with so much interest by own subscribers a few months ago. This story is believed by some to be even better than the other one.

   —The wheelmen of Mansfield, Pa., have organized and now offer a reward of ten dollars for the arrest and conviction of any person maliciously puncturing a bicycle tire. Any one found guilty will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This would be a good plan for Cortland wheelmen to follow.

   —Cortland is bound to be well governed this year. The Third ward elected one trustee on Tuesday and now it has two. The last names of both are Glann. One is called James J. The other has not received his name yet. He only arrived this morning, but he is going to have a hand in municipal affairs before long.

   —Mrs. Lucy Terrell Edgcomb died in Binghamton Wednesday at the age of 85 years. Her former home was Cortland and Homer. The remains will be brought to Cortland Saturday morning on the 9:58 train. The funeral will be held at 10:30 at the residence of her nephew, Albert Terrell, 40 Railway-ave., and the burial will be in the Cortland Rural cemetery.

   —Somebody who wants to explain what the editorial "we" signifies says it has a variety of meanings, varied to suit the circumstances. For example: When you read that "we expect our wife home to-day," "we" refers to the editor-in-chief; when it is "we are a little late with the paper," it included the whole office force, even to the devil and the towel; in "we are having a boom," the town is meant; "we received over 700,000 immigrants last year," it embraces the nation, but "we have a hog cholera in our midst," only means that the man who takes the paper and doesn't pay for it is very ill.—Geneva Courier.

CORTLAND MFG. CO., LTD.

Meeting of Creditors and Statement of Finances.

   In pursuance of the call of the receivers a meeting of the creditors of the Cortland Mfg. Co., Limited, was held at the company's office at 11 o'clock this forenoon. There were present Messrs. Jay B. Kline of Syracuse, J. W. Sturtevant of Binghamton, L. J. Fitzgerald, Hector Cowan, H. M. Whitney, G. J. Mager, Wesley Hooker, Geo. C. Hubbard, B. A. Benedict, Jas. Dougherty, Edwin Duffey and a number of other gentlemen from out of town representing various interests. Hector Cowan was made chairman and H. M. Whitney secretary.

   The receivers presented a condensed statement of the condition of the company showing liabilities $67,133.11 and assets $49,751.74. After considerable discussion and interchange of views the chair appointed James W. Sturtevant, G. J. Mager and H. M. Whitney an advisory committee to act jointly with the receivers in the sale and disposition of the plant and stock on hand. It was resolved to finish some of the work on hand and dispose of the entire property as speedily as possible and for the best interests of all concerned.