New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-18
POLICY OF OUR GOVERNMENT.

DENUNCIATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF TIE CAPTURE
On THE HIGH SEAS OF AN AMERICAN VESSEL
PURPOSE OF THE laval PREPHAIONs-A RE-
MoNsTRANCE PREVIOUSLY MADE AGAINST THE
CRUELTY OF THE SPANISH.
[GESERAL PRESS DIsPATcH.l
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.-Ihere were but few
visitors at the Executive Mansion to-day nearly all
of whom were admitted to an audience with the
President. Secretary Fish, who brought his port
folio of documents on the Cuban question: was
closeted with him for an hour and ex-
planned tire present state of the correspondence
with the Spanish Government, which. the President
subsequently said TO the writer of this article it
would now be improper TO make public, because
only these were diplomatic usages and courtesies
which il was necessary to observe pending the
troyersy but he added in due time the result would
he announced. This Government had thus far acted
on such facts as had reached it, and is now engaged
in collecting from all available sources further
information concerning the capture of the Virgnius
and the particulars attending the revolving execu-
tons which followed that event. 1t was desirable
that all information should be of such character as
would leave no doubt whatever as to its trustwor-
thiness The propTiety of this course was too evil
dent TO require explanation, the Government being
careful in what it is now doing and what 1t may
hereafter do, 10 act upon facts, and not upon as
sunptions and mconfrmed reports 1t was essen
tial that we should be prepared to maintain po-
sition
The President said he had changed mono of the
views heretofore expressed by him concerning events
in Cuba but bad more than ever been confirmed in
them by recent occurrences. He shared with the
public their denunciaton Of the capture on the high
seas of vessel sailing with regular clearance under
the limited States flag, and the startling events
which so quickly followed Spain never having
considered the Island of Cuba in state of war, and
there being no proclamation by the United States
according heligerent rights 10 the insurgents, the
VirQinius, if regularly cleared for the Island of
Cuba had a right TO enter Havana OF any other
open port Of the Spanish possessions This Govern
ment did not recognize any right on the part OF
Spain in the present state Of affairs, to interfere In
any manner with our merchant ships upon the
seas except in the usual right III her
own ports and within one marine league
Of the coast Of any of her domnOns and OF this TACT
she is aware. AS matter of course, it is the deter
mnaton of this Government to protect our citizens
in all their rights and TO compel respect to the nag
The present naval preparations were with this view
not to initiate by the President, that power
being vested in Congress, but TO be prepared
for all possible contingencies. Congress would
meet two weeks from to-day, when everything in
possession Of the Executive Department relative 10
Cuban affairs would be laid before that body with
such recommendations the occasion might de-
mand. Tomorrow, he said. be would begin the pre-
paratiOn of his message, but would defer that part
relating TO Cuban affairs until within day OF two
of the meeting Of Congress. desiring first to obtain
all possible information upon the subject.
On the Sd Of july 1869, information was received
at the Department Of State from DR. Phillips. Vice
Consul Of the United States at Santiago de Cuba,
that Charles Speakman a citizen of the United
States who had, against bis WILL been
forced TO accompany an expedition against
Cuba in the Grapeshot and had volun-
tariiy surrendered himself to the Spanish
authorities as a non-combatant bad been cruelty
murdered with formality of trial that amounted
only to farce. A few days afterward another di'.
patch was received containing an secount Oh