South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-11-21
Naval Preparations for Cuba.

naval Preparations Tor CUBA.
The advices froin Washington indicate consid-
cradle activity in naval Preparations various
ships Of war in different Norm Atlantic ports
being ordered 70 sail for different ports in Cuba,
and others being got ready for sea. Some yes
sels are said 10 b- already their way TO the
gni', while others will be fitted out as soon as
possible, which phrase appears TO include Pc
ROD OF from two or three days 10 four weeks. u
rs stated hat the SaHggs iroo-clad is now at Key
west ir perfect condition. Perhsps this does
not imply that her crew ie on board, because IL
IL ala she ought TO be AT Santiago by this time.
Key West is convenient to Cuba, and il would
os more gratifying to know that one OF our iron
clads, in perfect condition at Santiago
than at Key West. II is also stated that dis
patches have been Sent 20 all the navy yards to
ascertain just what force will be necessary TO
ut out every vessel now in ordinary, and what
was the shortest time in which il could be done
" is also mentioned that large quantities Of coal
have been ordered TO Key West and precaution-
AIRY steps taken 10 have every thing in readiness
In the event OF the government being Obliged TO
set promptly and firmly These precautions. in
view OF The Character OF events Transporting in
Cuba heretofore, nigh, have been taken long ago.
out they arc even now highly commendable -
On various occasions heretofore when wsnton
or bloody deeds. involving the decencies OF civil
lizaon and the rights of all men, aud especially
OF American citizens, have been perpetrsted ia
government TO interpose vigorous action hoping
other nations would join in the procedure tad
this been done 10 the extent that we recognized
Was necessity IL is almost certain that the civil
hzed world would not now have to depore the
recent monstrous crimes nor our own nation
have 10 feel the dishonor Of the outrage perpe-
trated under our very noses. II any one of our
naval officers OF capacity and en- Ter prise in com
maud OF an American ship-of-war in the neigh
borhood OF Cuba should have heard the news of
the massacre, and have gone into Santiago be-
fore this brought the Virginius and the surviv-
ing captives out, and, if necessary, the murder
ers with them, whether his conduct could have
been justified by the requirements OF red tape or
not, he would have been sustained by whirl-
wind Of approving public sentiment Red tape
aud temporlzng do net suit the spirit of our
oountrymen where the claims of humanity aud
the instinct OF right are concerned In such case
they like to gee at least rs much promptuess and
energy in behalf of humanity rs others exhibit
in outraging it Whatever the legal status of
the question, the execution Of the passengers of
the Nirginius, four of them in four DAYS after
their capture, and nearly fifty of them in seven
or eight days after, was a crime against civilza-
ton and a confession OF unlicensed barbarism in
That Island. Even on the suppositon that the
victims were engaged IN an illegal enterprise,
nothing could have been lost by giving time for
a calm and deliberate investigation of the case.
under such legal formalities are customary in
all civilized countries for the ascer tainment of
crime. The Spanish government, il is alleged
has no control of the Cuban oigarchy by whom
these otense5 are perpetrated, and is very likely
1T present special object Of their aversion and
contempt on account Of its republican form of
government The ruling mobocracy Of the is
land defed the authority Of Spain before she be-
came involved in her present domestic troubles
ana know well enough that now she can do
nothing whatever with them Every one ia a.
ware that the Spanish government is hard press
ed TO maintain its own existence against Carlists
on one hand and Communists on the other -
Hence the alleged directions of our Government
10 Minister Slckles to inform the Spanish gov
eminent that the United States would insist up
on protecting her citizens il the required protec-
ton could not be afforded by Spain ouGht no
mere TO be looked upon by that country "a un-
IrlendIy than the action of other governments in
PLo'eCuns thelr interests by ssizng Spanish YES
sells which had been taken by the communists.
:" iuily appreciate the solemn obligations of
the administration - ascertain all the facts and
act with the greatest deliberalion upon questions
Whlch involve international law The risks that
tnose incur who engage in the enterprises against
Cuba ought TO be known from the bloody expo-
rence OF the past, and il is the part Of states
manship, and the best efforts of our government
nave peen exercised to prevent their leaving our
shores but we Go not believe that any collision
win Spain would result from friendly exercise
OF the power of the United States in helpinp 10
reduce to order the rampant bar barsm which de-
neg all authority in CUBA, and that of the United
STATES on the seas az well as the sentiments and
opinions OF all civilized nations These hidal-
COS do not seem to have found out that they are
dealing with different people from those W HON
the Spaniards found in possession of this CONT
nent, and 1t may be of advantage to them and to
the civIlization OF the world to open their eyes
on this subject. The public sentiment, not only
Of this country but of England, demands hat
the United States interpose with promptness and
energy to put an end to the atrocities of the nj
rates who nave got possession of the government
Of Cuba.-BdH Sun.