The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-06
BELLIGRRsNY NIGHTS FOR CUBA.
THE CASE or THE FLORIDA.
General Francis DaxT on the situation-The Gu
ban Question Clsarly Defined Presiden-
tial Encouragement and Diplomatic
Promises-ProDossd Remedies.

on tue steamship florlu8 Dy the spanish war Vessei
seems to Increase as the facts become more thor
oughly developed. There has evidently been some
gross mistake committed although 1t is hoped that
the afair win be brought to an amicable conclu-
sion. representative Of the HERALD visited the
owner Of the Florida yesterday in order to ascertain
the latest particulars concerning the fate or that
vessel % well 70 learn his sentiments relative to
the cause Of Cuba. General Prancis Darr. the type
Of noble and valiant solder. was somewhat CON-
municative ON the subject and without hesitation
expressed his views.
"Now, General ~ said the HERALD representative.
why was the FLORIDA made the special object Of
attack by the Spanish gunDoat Of which you
speaks'
II cannot say, except that l." said the General,
with snrug OF the shoulders was well known 10 be
an ardent friend In the cause OF the Cuban republic.
and have no doubt they thought 1 was on board
the Florida. Had they found me they would have
disposed Of me AZ other Americans have been
slaughtered"
"Under the circumstances, General was 1t not
somewhat risky on your part TO despatch the
Floridar'
"Not ct ALL" replied the General. with an inde-
pendent tone "The Florida was sent down in the
ordinary course Of business"
"But you must have been aware Of the danger Of
snipptnG certain class Of goods in that direction ~
OFFICIAL ENCOURAGEMENT.
"Just listen minute" said the General. sEn.
couragement by the opinion caused to be gwen to
BY the President justned me In sending my vessel
TO sea. After full consultation OF the Cabinet the
reply sent 70 me was In some parts as fol.
lowss-The shipment OF arms end munitions Of war
is not prohibited to either party In the Cuban strug
gle. The revolutlonists have as full power to buy
and ship arms as the Spaniards. IL Is an enure
mistake to suppose that the United States oflcials
have ever been instructed to stop the ship
ment Of merchandise, though 1t be In the
form Of articles contrabaId Of war; The
letter In question goes further on to state:-
And even we had acknowledged the
independence OF Cuba our duty and our rule could
be no whit different until we had directly or pub
licly espoused one side OF the quarrel by making
war upon the other.'" The General went on to say.
in reference to his communication that the Pres.
dent had reminded him, or words TO that eject.
that 1--WE constantly bought arms Of England dur
ing the rebellion, and no one questioned the legal
right OF Englishmen to sell to to the coAied-
eracy. Blockade runners must take their own risk
OF capture The Cuban republicans must learn to
draw this distinction before complaining OF our
duct. In this respect as have stated above, the
recognition OF their independence would not have
altered the law. That" said the General, "is Q
portion Of letter caused to he written to me by
THE CAUSE OF THE GRIEVANCE.
NOW then. General OF what do you complain ~
"Wny In spite Of this pos tive assurance OF the
wishes OF The President and the interpretation OF
the law, the government sell I'd my vessel the FlOri
da on the 20th August 1870. and Kept ner i've months
appeals Tor an immediate tria-courting did the
fullest investigation, ana stating to Secretary Fish
iiscation Of my propertyIin spite Of the weifuown
desire Of the President IN spite OF everything, there
was mighter power than the law or the Executive,
al am II = iOss to understand, Ceneral,n
''Wny, my friend. the Secretary of State had a
son-in law whose interest as spanish counsel would
have been injured BY my trial. Tor the release OF the
trlal came on, however not single witness Tor the
prosecution had anything TO say. Judge Blatchford
deliverance to me. The outrage was 50 Migrant on
my rights that Judge Blatchf0rd refused an applt-
cation OF she District Attorney to issue the usual
certlncate Tor probable cause and the District
Attorney Is liable for damages 10 this day."
Well; General would ike to know about the
"ine history or the Forlaa up to her being block.
% notified the Secretary OF the Navy OF the out
rage intended by The Spaniards In the case OF the
Florida and appealed for protection. In response
presence OF any United States vessel no such out
rage would BE- permitted. That's ell nonsence-
presence OF United States vessels Why, that's
perfectly absurd. You know the story OF the case.
You might as well say that no man shall assault
you at the Battery 80 long as any policeman is on
"rhaps good. General-ha-put what do you
think about the war prOspectsY'
BELLIGERENT RIGHTS.
"War hope not. The Cubans merely desire the
recognition OF 6elgerent rights, and wish to fight
pardon, me, General upon what grounds can
the Cubans claim bellgerent rights"
"Pu tell you. The Cubans have been waging war
for more than three years against all the power Of
Spain. Spain herself by public documents, has
allowed An nat from,
the FEDERAL dockyards and arsenas OF this country
having shipped within the last three years over
furnished only twenty-five hundred stand of arinsD
THE CAUSE or COMPLAINT.
''Of what do you particularly complain, Generapn
'InIustlce The Cubans In direct opposition TO
all the fair spirit OF neutrality have been denied
freghIed with arms ana nun lions destined FOR me
Cubans In accordance with the legal rights Of
american citizens IN trading IN arms with peoples
and Powers that are a. war; and In the exercise of
what has been declared both BY the Executive and
federal courts to be legitimate voyage, have, In
being equivalent to cOnhscstion OF property TO the
detriment OF American citizens.
THE PROPOSED REMEDY.
what do You propose 10 mend matterspn
81 think measures should be adopted to protect
gagged In legitimate commerce and to prevent the
recurrence OF losses which may arise from the fact
that the government n, has not yet acknowledged the
Incompatible with q spirit Of amity towards her.
sCi. SphAu, W oCkuOWieuSluB the Independence
OF sundry republics on this Continent, formerly ner
own colonies admits the right they had to wage
war for their independence, as CUBA 10
day fights for hers. The time has now
come when Spain cannot with honor to
herself remain blind or ignorant OF the
existence OF war In Cuba and the continuous out.
RACES offered to the rights and property OF her
people: The assisting Of all people IN This hem.
isphere for the right OF self government BY all those
means not In c0ntraventon TO international law is
thorough American policy consonant with the prin-
ciples OF our own independence. Now, think that
1t Is hitting that the Youngest republic this hem.
isphere should appeal for justice and fair play and
not see why the President, with full knowledge OF
his Kind feelings toward the Cubans, can delay any
longer this act OF justice to himself ana 10 them
THE ACTION or CONGRESS.
"Do you think Congress viii take any action In
the matffrr'
~ hope that Congress- II a declaration of BEL
lgerent rights Is longer delayed, will agree to It BY
solemn and Joint resolution OF both houses. Now, I
protest most bitterly against the resignation OF