Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-10-22
SEIZURE OF THECUBA
Extraordinary Action of t h e
Government
GEN. GRANT AN ALLY OF SPAIN
WAR UPON i" FREE CUBA :"

WAX CPON " FREE CUBA !'
Yesterday morning Deputy United States
Marshal Neff and Collector Rnmley with
an officer of the Revenue Gutter boarded
the Cuban steamer Cuba" with writ Of
libel and demanded the surrender of the
ship. Commander Dornin, in charge of
the vesselimmediately dispatched for Com
modore Higgins, who repaired on board.
The demand for the surrender being re-
peated, Commodore Higgins replied that
by order OF the President of the United
States his vesse! was lying quietly ia the
harbor awaiting the issue of the trial now
pending before the United States Com
missioner He protested in the name of
the Republic of Cuba. of whose navy he
was an officer against any molestation on
the part of the officers of the Government.
Upon the officer insisting upon the surren-
der, the Commodore refused to surrender
to the civil officers, but would obey the
States or other competent authority COM
ing through the officers of the United
States navy. The Deputy Marshal re-
paired on board of the United States Gun
boat "Frolic," and immediately Lieuten-
ant Pearson, Executive officer of the
''Frolic" proceeded on board of the
SCUBA" and demanded the surrender of
the ship by order of the President of the
United States, which he exhibited to
Commodore Higgins. That officer pro-
testing against the action of the Govern
ment in selling q man-of-war belonging to
foreig n power, surrendered his vessel to
Lieutenant Pearson, at the same time hand
ing his sword and surrendering himself
and command as prisoners Of war to the
United States.
The vessel was turned over into the charge
of Marshal Neff, after placing guard of
some twenty United States Marines upon
the Cuba" The Marshal gave orders at
once to send the crew ashore and disband
them. Commodore Higgins again remon-
strated against this action. The men
were regularly enlisted in the Cuban navy,
would result in the total disbandment OF
the ships crew, and would place it out OF
the power of the officers to man the ship
il she should be discharged by the Gov
discharged.
The parCl given by the officers of the
"Cuba and accepted by the Government
has been violated by the latter, and we
suppose they are now in charge of the
Marshal, who becomes responsible for
their safe keeping until the hearing before
Commissioner Rutherford is concluded.
This action of the President of the
United stpty1i is most extraordinary under
all the CT that stances of the case. BY an
order the vessel is seized and virtually con-
fscated while she is being tried before the
proper tribunal to see if she has even rem
dered herself liable to be tried for any VIC
lation Of laW-before, indeed, she had been
held for trial. The disbanding of the crew
effects all that Spain could do in her cap
ture, for the officers, if the vessel should
be discharged, would not be allowed to
recruit in port of the United States.
This action, of course, disposes of the
case of the CUBA" before the Commits.
sioner and transfers it to the District
Court. The trial of the officers will lie
resumed on Thursday.
The turning loose of one hundred sailors
and marines, without control and without
money in our city, is al outrage upon our
citizens, and Mayor Neff should hold, and
the people ought to hold, the Marshal re-
sponsible for their good behavior. Unless
some provision is made for them by the
Government or the city, wo expect to hear
of much trouble. IF these mon are citizens
of Cuba that government has been grossly
outraged if they are citizens OF the United
States the Government should make pro-
vision for them and not cast them loose to
create disturbance or to suffer for the ordi-
nary necessities of life in q strange city.
Dailg Journal 20M.