The New York herald., 1873-11-21
ON. TO CuBA!!
Opinions of Public Men on
the Situation.
Views of Vice President Wilson, General B.
F. Butler, Senator Stockton, Congress-
men Glass and Platt and Others.
Views OF Vice President Wilson.

Vice President Wilson, above all others in
tmately connected with the administration, Is
deeply interested in the late outrage upon the
American steamer Virginius. met him at Young's
Hotel in this city, to-day, and during BRIEF con-
versation he spoke warmly and emphatcaly upon
this question which has so thoroughly aroused the
indignation OF the American people.
1T is a matter" said General wilson. Gin which
have always felt a deep personal interest. Ayear
or more before the war broke out in Cuba several
Cuban gentlemen prominent in the revolution met
me in Washington to consult upon the
general question OF anti-slavcry ana slavery
or course / deeply sympathized WIN tnese
representatives OF liberal government, anu
shared in their feelings and enthusiasm LOT tue
overthrow of the slavery. Ever since that tiie
have kept close watch OF alalrs on the isiano,
and they have been OF a nature to narrow the
feelings OF the most hardened specimens OF hu-
manity They have murdered and slaughtered
men by the hundreds, and this massacre of the
crew OF the yirginius is IN perfect keeping with
their other ourages; and, of course, cannot help
but join in the Indignation which prevails every
where Some years ago, when was in London.
] was honored by reception from son-in-law OF
George Thompson, the renowned English abolition
ist, and there were many liberal and anti-slavery
Cubans present and nom what l learned from
them my knowledge and opinions OF spanish out.
RACES were confirmed. i have been IN position
to know that, from the very beginning OF the war,
they have been
EXTREMELY CRUEL AND BLcoDTHIRsrY.
In addition to the natural atrocities OF Spanish
warfare there is added the generalization OF
slavery, and those VINO believe In slavery have had
their ferocty Increased tentold in consequence OF
the power and growing feeling arrayed against It,
Those who believe in slavery have been demoral-
lied by the system. This is as true or Cuba now as
it was true of the South g dozen or Is years ago."
But, General, what do you think is going to be
the result Of this Y3'
'T hone the time will come when either by the
success OF the revolutionary men there or by the
action OF the home government, there VIII be an
end put to such barbalities as this vlrginlus
AFFAIR."
.'But what do you think our own government
will do about this latest outrage ~
''The government must act upon some certain,
defined principles, and not in a hasty passion.
When we do move we must move cooly and eau
tiously but still with determined purpose. |
don't see, though, how the government can do
readiness and, in case hostilites should come, be
In . condition not to be laughed At by the whole
world great many men VINO sympathize with
faith that Spain herself would correct these con-
tinued outrages Of the last five years. II, even
now, Spain should move earnestly and deter
minedly, it is not impossible that she might
manage to reclaim and govern the island Of Cuba
'What do you imagine Is the general feeling OF
Americans concerning the revolution :"
Il don't see how any American, especially an
CUBAN for the hs v eemen
chiefly OF anti-savery men, and the wiping out OF
slavery IS one OF the chiai motives of the rebellion
think that in the end -dba win belong to the
United states. Its great ,mmerclal Importance,
as well as Its sanitary advantages. render 1t desira-
BILE that the Island should belong to this country,
and OF course, If acquired the territory slavery
would disappear at once and forever.n
The Vice President has almost fully recovered
from his late indisposition and during the last 10
days he has gained an average OF pound day.
He visits Boston almost daily and in mis- perambu-
lations about the city INDUCES In the exercise OF
walking rather than riding. He will leave for
MasangtEn d; about @ the 25ta inst and nger one or
route. lie will take the chair upon the assembling
OF Congress, but by the advice of his physician
hn afrl 70 rr1fn
duties, as well as TO escape as far as possible the
beseechings and entreaties OF the army OF office
death, OF some OF our most efficient public servants.
Opinion OF General Butler.
BOSTON, Nov. 20, 1873.
Notwithstanding the claims which extensive
legal practice have had upon the time and atten-
ton OF General Butler during the last few days. he
has nevertheless found time to dwell upon the
late atrocities at Santiago de Cuba. l called upon
the distinguished gentleman at his office, up in
Pemberton square, this afternoon, and among
other things talked over was this grave ques-
tion now uppermost in the public mind. The
conversation between the interrogation and inter-
rogated was ubstantially as follows:-
REPoRTER-Are you willing to give your views
on the Cuban complications
ANswER.-I hardly know whether / ought to
trust myself to give opinion upon those mat
one or the Lone Star League the time or the ex-
ecution of Lopez and Crittenden under demo.
cratic administration. l was exceedingly indig-
nsnt at the noninterierence OF the government
then; but was younger man than am now.
1t is always difficult for two nations 10
DRIFT INTO WAR
on account of the misconduct of subordinate
officials, provided the nations themselves are Will
ing TO do justice to each other. AS understand
the facts of our present complications with Cuba
they are something like tbese:-The virgnius,
with iour i've rebel chiefs, left our shores III
VIOLATION OF OUR NEUTBALITY LAWS,
carrying some $50 or 100 men recruited in the
United states; that the virglnius was regularly
registered American vessel and entitled TO carry
the American dag; that she came somewhere in
the vicinity ol Cuba with her passengers and arms
for the succor OF the insurgents when she was
seized by a Spanish vessel, which had chased her
and overtaken her-for want oil coal, pi obably-
IN BRITISH WATERS:
that she then captured, earned TO Santiago de
cuba, Jour OF the insurgent ehiefs-among whom
was Ryan-a OF whom had previously been tried
and convicted under Spanish law In the Cuban
court martial: that thereupon large portion or
the passengers oil the yirginius were
rUTCHEREp IN COLD BLOOD.
Now although the Cu0an rebellion has been
going on Tor five years and over, yet the Spanish
government have always refused to recognize
state OF 6enigerency, and all other nations have
respected that view Of Spain largely because
tne lhsurgents nea no port IN CUBA with which 70
communicate with the outside world. Now, IL
there Is
NO STATE or BELrIGEREScY
between Spain and Cuba there certainly can he
no state OF war, and spain cannot, under treaties
exercise the war power OF right OF search and
seizure, or even cause the examination or papers
OF neutral in Spanish waters, ana OF course she
cannot follow such vessel into otner waters aud
capture her. The doctrine tnat was held In
THE TRENT CASE
was that our proceedings were all wrong because
the Trent was not brought IN icr adjudication
What form OF adjudication could Spain make in re.
gard to the yIrgniusS There being no state OF
war she could not be prize OF war. she cannot be
seized for any violation OF Spain's municipal regua.
tions because she
WAS NOT IN SPANISH WATERS.
She certainly cannot be deemed pirate carrying
an American register ana the American nag, and
In making her way on the high seas ana being re-
celved at Jamaica with comfy and cordiality. Fol-
this
VIOLATION OF OUR FLAG
the MI nuld be dpmanded