The New York herald., 1873-12-08
Belligerent Rights for Cuba.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 1873.
Senator Conover, OF Florida, who has Just re-
turned from Tallahassee. will this week offer reso-
luton recognizing the belligerent rights OF the
Cuban patriots, in accordance with the joint reso-
luton of the Legislature Of his State.
Summers Views on the Virginius Al fair.
Thinks Uncle sam is In u Tight Place.
Danger OF Easiy Defence Of National
Honor. spain not Altogether in the
Wrong.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l. 1878.
Senator sumner, though excluded from his
former prominence in the diplomatic affairs of the
Senate, has not failed to watch with great inter-
est and concern, the negotiations pending be-
tween the United States and Spain on the question
OF the seizure OF the virginius.
THE SENATOR SURPRISED.
The Senator In conversation expressed himself
as considerably surprised at the pursued by
our government and If the matter comes before
the Senate he viii take occasion to express his
views. He has received through various sources
of information, official and personal. a very cor
rect estimate OF every step in the negotiation. He
has not only been advised through home sources,
but has received kilograms from abroad. From
this comprehensive position he has been able to
judge the matter critically.
THE GOVERNMENT IN A FIX.
He says that our government has managed to
work itself into tight place, through indlscreton
and general lack of diplomatic SKILL and If it gets
out Of the complications with honor he will be very
much surprised. L. is an easy matter to
talk about national dignity and honor, but it
1s quite another thing to comprehend their
meaning. The government has undertaken snap
Judgment in the Virgnius affair, and has set out
in hasty pursuit of national honor without know
ing what they were driving at.
ri
The inhumanity committed in the summary exc
cuSion oil the officers and part OF the crew
OF the Virginius was, he thought, without
excuse; but 1t was not at all clear
that the Virginius was engaged in legitimate trade,
and Spain should have been allowed to vindicate
the conduct OF her officers, who were acting in
obedience to general instructions from their rulers,
before our government jumped into summary and
unconsidered demands for reparation.
DOUBTFUL CHARACTER OF THE vIRGINIUs.
1t might be that the virginius was not pirate as
adjudged by the Spanish tribunals before which
she was taken in which event Spain could be held
severely responsible for the assault upon a vessel
on the high seas and under the American flag; but
II the Virgintus was adjudged by the Spanish
courts and proven satisfactorily to our own
government, then there is insult to the flag, aud
hence no dishonor.
This is the awkward position OF the United
States.
WAR NOT TO BE LIGHTLY UNDERTAKEN.
Acting in grave matter of international har-
mony without first examining the case, in such
Calamitous process OF settling understandings
as war; he thought it the highest duty OF nation
to be sure 1t was right But the country had been
brought to the verge OF hostities, and the danger
has not yet entirely subsidized, without an exam-
nation of the status OF the vessel.
SPECIAL PLEADING.
The English flag did not protect blockade run.
ners captured coasts during the rebellion,
nor would the American nag be dshonored in
manner for our consideration by being captured
on a vessel which might have placed herself be-
yond the pale of national protection.
, ARBITRATION GLoRIFIED
The Senator remarked that the enlightenment
of the age such that there were few interna-
tonal questions which, dispassonately considered,
could not be adjusted by arbitration. In his
speech on the Alabama depredations, he remarked,
he pointed out the way to solve the intricate prob
lem pending between the United States and Great
Britain, and the government succeeded in bring
ing to gratifying termination the question which
aroused the most acrimonious feeling on the part
OF both peoples against each other and In cement
ing a closer relation than before existed be-
tween the two great Anglo-Saxon nations OF the
globe. He believed the preiudices OF the past be.
Iaded out OF sight He had opinions on the Span
ish question which he would express on the proper
occasion.
THE ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT HAsTY.
What the Senator exactly had in his mind when
he stated that he would be surprised II govern
ment came out Of this trouble with honor
not stated but it was inferred that the demand for
the immediate surrender or the vessel, without an
examination, might, upon future investigation OF
her history demonstrate that she had violated the
sacred character or the American nag and the
amlcable relations existing between the two
countries, In which event Spain would be
justified in adopting our own course as car
RED out in the Alabama and CON-
pei us to make an apology, and at the
same time pay heavy damages for permitting
American vessels to land munitions OF war for
hostile purposes on the soil OF friendly nation.
These views OF the Senator have additional In
terest from the fact that the same subject is now
being agitated in Spain. The executions, though
in accord with the peculiar laws OF the country,
would come in part OF the question OF the seizure
OF the vessel
DIPLOMATIC LECTURE
The Senator's speech will doubtless be spirited
lesson on diplomacy, and will create a great SEN
sation in the diplomatic world on both sides OF the
Atlantic.
senator Morton on the Situatisn-Mr.
Fish Sees Pcace-The Recall OF Minister
Sicklcs-Prcs Grant Firm.
WASHINGTON, Dec. I, 1878.
Senator Morton, in conversation te-night,
stated that the Spanish complications pre-
sent q more favorable aspect than at
any time since the capture OF the virginius.
Our government, he says, is disposed to act
with leniency towards Spain, and has taken into
consideration embarrassing circumstances which
surround the CASTELAR, government both at home
and In Cuba. There was no fixed limit to the time
for the restitution OF the virgnius, but reasonable
period was allowed, and the government in
connection with the spanish representative,
Will determine that matter when 1t is found
that the time is assuming undue length. The