The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-11-28

upon from the Spanish Government, not
wllhstanding it, friendly feelings toward
the United States, the law of seli-pro-
lection l. recognized by our Government
a. applicable 10 the present condition of
affairs
Thomas II. Pesrce, the American consul
n Kingston, Jamaica, was in Washington
on Nov. 10. and had "A long interview with
Secretary Fish. He stated that Capt. Fry.
of the Nirginius, appeared before him at
Kingston the day before sailing and made
oath TO his citizenship and 10 the correct
ness of his papers. which. of course. were
captured with the vessel. Mr.. Pearce stated
that he had two interviews with Capt. Fry
in regard TO his expedition. and protested
against his undertaking it. and gave II as
his opinion that if the Spaniar,l> captured
him he would surely be- shot, and that ev-
cry man in the ship took his life in his
hand when he joined the expedition. To
these protests Capt. Fry replied that the
SpaniardS could not shoot him; that il
would only be "A ease of blockade running,
and a. he had been a Confederate blockade
I FtliltltIs ilt Itl-titn Aitt IL tli' tAiHA'N
States did not shoot prisoners captured in
this business the Spaniards wouldnot do il.
The wholesale massacre of the remain
der of the Virginius crew, news of which
was received on the 18th, created feeling
of the most intense horror throughout the
civilized world. Indignation meetings
were held in various cities. and resolutions
: passed calling upon the Government TO
avenge the atrocious murder of American
citizens.
I The United States steamship Kansas
sailed from the Brooklyn Navy Yard on
NOV. II for Santiago dc Cuba. She is
fully equipped for service, carrying three
7 guns of heavy calibre.
( A London telegram of Nov. II says
\ that the British Government had instruct
Y ed It's consuls al Havana and Santiago de
\ Cuba. 10 watch the proceedings against the
captiyes of the Virginius. as it had been
\ informed that one of them i a subject of
Great Britain.
4 dispatch was received at New \ ork
I from Jamaica. Nov. IL. stating that ON the
Y 10Th the remainder of the Nirginius rris-
oners. one hundred and eight in all. Were
shot NJ Santiago de Cuba. \ Havana dis
patch. same date. stated that the trials of
the prisoners had all been concluded. and
that only the lives OF eighteen would be
spared. A Cienfuegos journal of same
date states that fifty-seven of the Nirginius
crew Ind been shot on the 10th. These
dispatches. though conflicting in details,
leave no doubt that the Cuban authorities
have concluded their bloody work 10y a
wholesale massacre of the prisoners in their
hands.
The London journals generally admit
that the Virginus massacre must bring
about the annexation of Cuba To the
United States.
II j. said that sixteen Of the Nirginus
victims We're British subjects.
According to a Washington dispatch of
NOV. IL. the President in a recent CONVEX
sation relative to Cuban matters had cN-
pressed himself as follows: :" This Govern
ment had thus flracted ON such facts a. had
reached it. and was now engaged in col
Letting from All available sources. further
Information concerning the capture OF the
Virginius and particulars attending the
revolving executions which followed that
event. II was desirable that all informa-
ton should be- of such a character As
would leave no doubt whatever a. TO its
reliability. IL was essential that we should
be prepared 10 maintain our position. He
shared with the public their dcnuuciation
Of the capture on the high seas OF vessel
sailing with regular clearance, and under
the United States flag, and the startling
events which so quickly followed. Spain
never having considered the island of Cuba
in state of war. and there being no pro-
clalnaii0i b. the United States according
belligerent rights to insurgents, the Nir-
ginius. if regularly cleared for the island
of Cuba. had right 10 enter Havana. or
any other open port OF its possessions.
This Government did not recognize any
right on the part of Spain. in the present
state of affairs, 10 interfere in any man
ner with our merchant ships upon the seas,
except the usual right in her own ports,
and within one marine league of the coast
Of any of her dominions; and of this fact
she i aware. as a matter of course. Its
the determination of this Government to
protect it, own citizens in all their rights,
and compel respect to her flag. The pres
ent naval preparations were with this view,
not TO initiate war by the President, that
I power being vested in Congress. but to be
prepared for all possible contingencies.
Upon the meeting of Congress all facts in
the possession of the Executive Depart
ment relative to Cuba would be laid before
that body. with such recommendations as
I rho nc,.nsion MIGHT demand