Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-12-03
THE SITUATION.

We 90 not give ex preston to idle feal
when we say this morning that the silica
ton in reference to the Virginius affair i:
critical,
There seems to he high authority for the
statement which nov comes from Wash
lngton, that in its demands upon the
Spanish Government for reparation forth
seizure of the Nirginius, our Government
has taken the position that no matter
what was the real character of the eXpedi.
ton Iof the captured vessel, she was not
subject to seizure, or even search, On the
high seas. This doctrine our Government
has main tanned since 1872. We went to
war with Great Britain then, to protect
our vessels against just such indigni-
ties as that inflicted upon the Nir.
| ginius. In reply to the claim that
| she was on au unlawful expedition,
the President has answered, that after the
vessel is surrendered and the right to seize
and search it is renowned, this Govern
ment is illing to go into an investigation
of that subject But it most emph2tically
denies the right to search or carry Off any
vessel on the high seas, carrying cur flag
and with legitinsSte papers. To admit the
right of search on suspicion, says the Pres
ident, would continually subject our yes
sells to annoying delays and impertinent
searches. The seizure is therefore treated
nG initio wrong and as an insult. The
first demand is therefore to re-
turn the vessel and the surviving
prisoners with the customary naval cour-
tesies. This being done the question of the
indemnity to the families of the butchered
crew will be settled afterwards by arbitra-
ton upon basis to be agreed upon.
This being the position the Government
has assumed, it must be the basis upon
which peace or war is to be determined,
1t is said on high authority that the Cas-
telar Government is disposed to concede all
our Government claims, but that if ii does,
such action will ensure its speedy over
throw. The popular feeling in Spain, out
side of the more jealous adherents of the
new Republic, is against any such
concession. II matters not that Spain
stands committed to such law by special
treaty with our Government. The haugh-
ty Castiliau will not concede, and, if not,
of course war is inevitable. One week ago
the CHRONICLE stated that the decision
depended entirely upon the changes that
might take place in Madrid. The case de.
ponds now upon the maintenance of Jas
telar and his Ministry. Should 1t be over
thrown, war seems inevitable. Advices
from Madrid at this writing indicate that
the situation is critical, for the new Re
public seems lettering under the furious
assaults leveled against it by the passion
ate, unreasonable, and irresponsible popu-
lace.
The scuttling and sinking OF the Nir-
ginius, which, though not officially con-
firned, is not denied, and which we are,
therefore, inclined to think true compli-
Gates the situation. If done by authority,
il is deliberate evasion OF the demand
which can not be met az unjust. We are
not prepared to think it was done by even
the consent of CASTELAR, or his Cabinet 1t
is Spanish haste and perverseness in Cuba.
But no matter how or why done, it puts
the settlement further off and increases
the chances for war.
Our dispatches al eleven O'Clock last
night were Of more hopeful character,
though tho defiant talk from Cuba would
seem to Indicate that there might be trouble
there in carrying out peaceful programme
from Madrid. The assurance, however, from
apparently high authority OF q more peace
ful aspect of affairs will serve to a.lay ap-
prehensions, though not the general IN
casiress everywhere prevailing.