New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-18
fay TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE.l


TREASURY OPPOSED TO WAR.
fay TELEGRAPH TO THE rRwUSE.l
WASHINGTON. Nov. 17.-In consequence Of the rain
and snow and seet, which have made Washington so
intensely unpleasant most persons have been con-
fined 10 their homes The hotels and clubs have there
fore been less frequented than usual and the public
discussion ON the Cuban question has been less than
II would have been. The war feeling, however, Is
steadily increasing The aspect OF afalrs Vo-oay
seems somewhat important, in direction not mere
tofore sufficiently considered. The indications now
arc that Great Britain will be involved as party 10
the settlement of the case growing out OF the ln'
human buchery Of those captured on the Virginlus'
Sir Edward Thornton, the British Minister here
said this morning that he held very strong Opinions
In reference to this subject; although he was the
accredited agent of a neutral power, his position
now was delicate one. In speaking publicly
upon the matter he is not prepared to make known
his conversations with Secretary Fish. on account
of the unbecoming attitude lac would be placed IN.
The following however can be relied on as the true
facts tending TO draw Great Britain INTO the
question Of demanding from the Spanish Govern
ment full reparation for the atrocities committed at
Santiago de Cuba, and some security from that Gov
ernment that the lives of foreign subjects VIII be
held sacred and the flags of other nations respected
Mr. Thornton said il was not known bow soon En-
gland would be involved in tte case. The fact was
presented that six Of those captured the Virgiuius
were British subjects, five of whom were mere boys
1t was not yet certain but that the Nirginlus was
captured in British waters. Everything necessary
ia now doing to bring ont the truth ID this respect
Mr. Thornton alluded to the reyengeful nature OF
the Spauards and contrasted their disposition with
that of the Portuguese with whom, in his high
capacity he had had dealings. The Portuguese after
victory, were always moderate and just IN their
treatment of the conquered.
In reference to the apparent difference in the
strength of the United States navy and that of the
Spanish Mr.. Thornton said navy possessing more
men and ships than It's opponent was not always
successful, and the large number did not make
better seamen. If even now war between the
Anglo-Saxon race and Spain should occur,
he had no doubt Of the result - the
defeat of the Spaniards He was not prepared to
say what attitude the question would assume but
the inference could be quite clearly drawn, that
England was watching and waiting to gather all the
facts and that Spain would be held to a strict ac
countabilty for he treatment Of subjects of Great
Britain.
Admiral Polo the Spanish Minister, has received
no late communication from the Spanish Govern
ment in reference to the position TO be taken by 1t,
except the following dispatch 1--WE shall proceed
strictly and honestly under the rules of interna-
nonal law He says what was done outside the
limits OF international law the Home Government
was not cOgnzant Of He believes butfOr the distance
between Santiago de Cuba and Havana, well as the
disorder of the cable CASTELAR, would have succeeded
IN delaying the executions of the Yirgnius victims.
IN reference to the prospects of war between the
United States and Spain lie said: Now that there
is a possibility of war (which God Forbid the
greater the power engaged in it the
greater the loser thereby. War is blight
ing and terrible calamity, and if entered into
between the two aforementioned powers, the
United States which young and prosperous,
would certainly be bndered in their prosperity,
their Indebtedness increased, their commerce
Affected and the valuation of their bonds dlmin-
ished Spain was not party to the Treaty of
Paris and therefore its commerce would not
be restricted. She could grant letters Of
mardue aud privateeIing would predominant.
spain engaged but little in moneyed exchange with
other countries knew but little of banking inter
ests her inhabitants boarded their wealth by
creting it," Proceedings he said, were instituted
by his Government 10 learn all that could be OBJ
tanned bearing upon the action Of the authorities at
Cuba, and all the facts would soon come
out. lie trusted that war might be
ayerted, and believed that the diplomatic
intercourse between the United States and Spain
now going on would result in honorable adjudi"
cation OF the difficulties without resort to arms.
Secretary Richardson declares he is opposed to
going to war with Spain, and asserts " sympa-
thze with the party III Spain endeavoring to found
a republican form of government and believe there
is more likelihood of such government in Spain
than there is in France"