New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-22
VIEWS OF GEN. BUTLER.

SPAIN HAD 40 RIGHT TO SEARCH THE VIRGINfUS-
THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT Is TO TAKE
CUBA AND SETTLE WITH SPAIN AFTERWARDS.
During an interview with reporter Of Inc Boston
Globe last Thursday, Gen. Butler said he hardly
knew whether he ought to trust himself to give an
opinion upon the Cuban complications, because he
was an original Cuban, and made one OF the Lone
Star League at the time of tho execution of Lopez
and Crittenden under Democratic AdministTa-
ton" But after reviewing the circumstances at
tending the Virgnius outrage, he expressed the fol-
lowing opinions:
Although the Cuban rebellion has been going on for
five years and more, yet tho Spanish Government has
awaysreuscd to recognize astate otbcllgerency, and
all other nations have respected that view OF spain,
largely because the insurgents held no port in Cuba with
which TO communicate with the outside world. Now, If
there is no state OF bengerency between Spain and
Cuba, there certainly be no state OF war and
Spain cannot under treaties exercise the power OF
right OF search and seizure or even cause the exana
ton OF papers Of neutral in Spanish waters and OF
she cannot follow such vessel into other waters
and cauturehcr The doctrine that held in tue Trent
case was that proceedings were all wrong be-
cause the Trent was not brought In for
adjudication What form OF adjudication would Spain
make in regard to tho VrZnius There being no
state Of war she coud not be prize Of She cannot
be seized for any violation of SPANS municipal regla
tons because she not in Spanish waters. She GER
tainIy cannot deemed pirate carrying she did
American register and the American 1ag and in making
her way on the high and being received az Jamaica
with comfy and cordially For this violation OF our
flag the most ample rcplati0n should be demanded and
the advces had are that Spain is willing 10 give that
For the murder of our citizens entitled not only
to the most ample reparaon that be made by SpaiD
but such con1gn punishment Of the Offending subordi
nate officers who did the murder VIII insure the
creGness Of the American deck which Is American SOIL
and insure respect to the nationality Of our citizens,
even when engaged in an unlawful attempt to aid nsur
rection in another country.
II has been said that the VrgDius being upon an IN
lawful voyage against our municipal laws and neutral
ty was not entitled TO bear our flag. That Ia my judg
meut furnishes no 70 Spain. We have not en-
Moved her as n police officer on the high seas II Is
clearly the duty Of the Government Of the United States
10 proceed in the prOmptest to have due repara
ton made apology given, and due punishment by Spain
OF her offending officers. II what accorded 10
Brazil in the case Of the capture OF the Florida by Col
Inns and We can certainly demand no less. But herein
comes a difficulty. i feel persuaded that If Cas-
tear should attempt 10 carry out such meas
ures as our honor demands that he must take
in tho premis es, it would DO simply his over
throw aud think the overthrow of the Spanish Repub
hc How far considerations OF the stress of sister
republic and the only one, in fact in Europe, for
France is hardly republic in name-shoud deter us or
restrain us from pressing, with armed force,
rights is question for wise statesmanship ana the just
consideration of people, If 1t sho1ld turn out TO be
the fact that Spain cannot control Cuba In this regard
then the United States my judgment, have but one
thing 10 do and that is to take the matter into their own
hands and take possession of the Island OF Cuba settling
the affair with Spain afterward by diplomacy when she
has government with which TO diplomauze