Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1869-10-16

THE STEAMER CUBA. The case of the
Cuban steamer Hornet is now fairly be-
fore the United States Commissioner. 1t
is alleged that she was fitted out and
armed within the limits of the United
States, with the intent of carrying on
hostiIties against the people of Spain, a
country with which the United States
are at peace The Hornet, if the account
given in the New York .Sut, be a correct
one, received her complement of men
and guns after she had put to sea, and
beyond the limits of the United States,
but both the armament and the men
were taken from our ports 1t becomes
mere legal bubble, whether the fact
that they were put on board the steamer
on the high seas, and beyond the juris-
diction of the United States, relieves the
Government of its responsibility. AS q
matter of fact, it may be shown that she
was not fitted out and armed within the
limits of the United States but was not
that mere evasion, that will not hold
good if there is fair construction of in
tcrnational law?
The case is parallel to that of the Ala
bama, which run out Of port, and likewise
received her crew and armaments at sea-
1t has been held by our Government
that the fact did not constitute release
OF Great Britain from her obligations.
The arms were purchased and crew en-
listed in England. And this is the basis
of the claim set up by our Government
in its demand for indemnication for the
losses which American citizens sustained
through the depredations of that priva-
teer. We fail to see any such difference
in the two cases as will permit the Gov
ernment to release the Hornet unless it
relinquishes its claim for indemnifcation
in the case of tho Alabama. And such,
we assume, will be the decision of the
Commissioner.
AT any rate, the Hornet is likely to be
detained for considerable period, and
at time when her services would be of
the greatest Importance to the cause of
the insurgents. That she should have
put into an American port without strk-
ing blow for the cause, can only be
justified on the plea of absolute necessity.
High hopes were entertained of her abili.
ty 20 break up the blockade of the Gu.
ban coast, and assist in opening one or
more ports to blockade-runner and to
armed expeditions, several OF which it is
believed were only awaiting her appear.
ance to leave for Cuba. These hopes are
doomed to disappointment.
ONE Of the crew of the Hornet has made an
affidavit, which is now in possession of our
authorities, setting forth that hO was enlisted
In New York city; that he received certain
sums in advance that he went on board the
Hornet at the time when she was lying of
Gay Head after returning from Halifax; that
the vessel subsequently anchored off New Bed.
ford, where she received small arms, guns, coal
and ammunition later off Long Island, where
the Martha Washington and other tugs brought
the rest Of the coal, guns and men. The aff,
daVit states that all these supplies were re-
ceiyed on board when but short distance
from port. Aherwnrd the Captain stated tC
the crew that the vessel was Cuban privateer
the Cuban flag was unfurled, and the men paid
about $50 each in coin. There Is other eyi
dence to the same effect--that she was trimmed
In the United States. Information Of import
ance has been received In regard to the pur
chase Of the vessel and the movements of thos,
connected with the affair, both at Philadelphia
and Halifax.