At the same moment I received the Spanish Government’s last reply in the
Alliança affair, which I inclose herein, with
translations.
I have simply acknowledged the receipt of this note, stating at the same
time that a copy thereof has been forwarded for your consideration.
[Inclosure in No.
357—Translation.]
The Duke of Tetuan to
Mr. Taylor.
Ministry of
State,
Palace, May 16,
1895.
My Dear Sir: I have had the honor to
receive your note dated the 6th instant, in which you inform me that
you have transmitted to your Government the text of my note of the
18th of April last, relative to the Alliança
incident. In your said note you also embody the telegram addressed
to you by the Secretary of State, saying that he awaits the promised
further action.
The Government of His Majesty considers it its duty to inform your
excellency, as another proof of its sincerity, that by the reports
received in this ministry the fact is proven that when the official
commanding the Venadito, during the absence
of the commander, fired upon the Alliança
with the sole purpose of stopping her, and having special care not
to hit the American steamer, the latter was outside of the
jurisdictional zone of Spain. There was, therefore, an error, though
certainly involuntary, and no one laments it more than the
Government of His Majesty, whose purpose never was to set obstacles
or hindrances to the legitimate commerce of the United States and
much less to give the slightest offense to the flag of a friendly
power.
As I have already told your excellency, instructions have been sent
to the commanders of the ships of the navy in order to avoid the
repetition of events similar to that now in question, which is
disavowed by the Government of His Majesty.
In order to remove any doubts which might arise if certain wholly
unfounded rumors should be taken as true, I take pleasure in
assuring
[Page 1185]
you that when
the incident of the Alliança took place the
commander was not on board, but only the second chief, Señor Ibarra,
who has been removed to another post of the same grade.
I shall not conclude this note, Mr. Minister, without expressing my
hope that the United States will find in the preceding spontaneous
manifestations one more proof of the interest which Spain takes in
all that relates to the great American Republic, and of the warm
desire which animates the Government of His Majesty to contribute,
for its part, to the definite and most satisfactory termination of
this affair.
I avail, etc.,
The Duke of Tetuan.
