Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-11-18
TIE VIRCIyIUs BUTCHERY.
Additional Particulars Of the Tragedy.
Attitude Of Our Government and People

Late dispatches from Havana throw some ad-
ditional light o. to the capture Of the virginius
They leave no doubt that the steamer was flying
the United States nag, which was hauled down
that the pursuit was begun on the high seas,
eighteen miles from Cuba. They also contain
the first account OF the conduct OF the Cubans
that OF non-resisanee. They threw their arms
into the sea, and were overloaded by q couple
Of boats crews without a shot.
THE DEAD BODIES INITIATED.
dispatch from Kingston, November s, re-
porting the capture OF the Virginius and the
execution Of the four prominent patriots, says
II Is rumored tina, Ryan and Verona not dying
easily, Spanish oficer thrust his sword through
Ryan's heart, and that the bloodthirsty mob
severed their heads from their bodies, placed
them on pixies and marched through the city.
oRsrINACY OF THE AssAssISs.
The following dispatch from Santiago de
Cuba has been made publc:-"There have been
no further Developments. The man-of-war Isa-
bella Ia Catolca has arrived here. She will
convoy the Nirgnius to Havana. The attitude
of the authorities Is unyielding. They insist on
their perfect right to dispose Of the Virginius
as pirate, in accordance with International
law, and that no one has right TO interfere
with them. There have been no more execu-
tons, but the trials are still proceeding. The
British man-of-war Niobe is still here. Ii is
reported that correspondence is going on be-
tween her captain and Governor Burreil about
the British and other foreign subjects captured
on the Virginius. There are also rumors that
an American corvette from Aspinwan and
another from Key West are on the way here"
MAILS NOT PERMITTED TO LAND.
The steamship Cleopatra, which arrived yes
terday at New York, brought the newspaper
mails which che took on her outward bound
trip to Havana. The Spanish authorities re-
fused to allow them to be landed.
JOHN BULL AND HIS sUBJHcTs
1t is stated on ofhcial authority that the Eng
lish foreign office has instructed the British
Santiago, and the governor Of Jamaica, that
the government reserves its decision on the
question of the executions which have already
taken place, but will hold the Spanish govern
ment and all concerned responsible for any ad-
ditional executions of British subjects.
President Grants Views.
Mr.. l.. A. Gobright, of the Associated Press,
was granted an Interview with the President
yesterday, and states the result as follows
-" There were but few visitors at the Executive
Mansion to day, nearly all of whom were ad-
mitted TO audience with the President. Sscre-
tary Fish, who brought his portfolio of docu-
ments on the Cuban question, was closeted with
him for an hour, and explained the present state
Of the correspondence with the Spanish govern
ment, which, the President subsequently, said
to the writer of this article, 1t would now be
improper to make public, because only there
were diplomatic usages and courtesies which it
was necessary TO observe during the eontro-
versy, but in due time the result would be
announced.
This government had thus far acted on such
facts rs had T. ached it, and it now eng aged
in collecting from all available sources further
Information concerning the capture of the
revolving executions which followed that event
1t was desirable that all information should be
OF such character as would leave no doubt
whatever as to its reliability. The prOpriety of
this course was too evident to require explsna-
ton, the government being careful in what it
is now doing and what it may hereafter do to
act upon facts, and not upon assumptions and
unconfrmed reports. 1t was essential that we
-hould be prepared to maintain our position.
The President said he had changed none of the
views heretofore expressed BY him concern
ing events In Cuba, and had more than ever
been confirmed in them by recent occurrences.
he shared with the public in their denuncia-
ton Of the capture on the high seas of a vessel
sailing with regular clearance under the
United States flag, and the startling events
which 80 quickly followed. Spain never having
considered the island of Cuba in state of war,
,ra,uS according bellgereut rights TO the insur-
gents, the Virginus, II regularly cleared for the
Island Of Cuba, had ths right 70 enter Havana
OF any other open port OF the Spanish po.
SONS. This government did not recognize any
right on the part OF Spain in the present stats Of
affairs to interfere in any manner with our mer
chant ships upon the seas, except in the usual
.eague of the coast Of any of her DOM Mons anu
Of this fact she Is aware. As matter of course
is the determination of this government to
protect our citizens in all their rights and to
compel respect to the flag. The present naval
preparations were with this view, and not to
initiate war by the President. that power being
vested In Congress, but to be prepared for ali
possible contingencies. Congress meets two
TWO weeks from to day, when everything in
possession Of the executive department relative
with such recommendations rs the occasion
might de mand.
Plain Talk to Spain.
In regard to the failure to execute the DEGREES
IN Cuba, Secretary Fish informed Admiral
Polo, the Spanish minister here, that Spain
Sy Ina PSs ..sss
United states would not. wait for an answer
until the Saturday following. The Secretary
aid no; that the President intended to have his
to submit to the cabinet on friday which is the
day for the last regular meeting before Congress
assemblies. Polo was further informed thai the
President was anxious to be able to say to Con-
sress that Spain had really acted in the m AFTER
instead OF merely promising, and that in case
sne do not act he should recommend that the
United States hereafter assume entire respon-
dbiilty for protecting the lives and property of
her own citizens in Cuba.
Our Naval Preparations.
At the Brooklyn navy yard the same activity
\ is manifested as for the past two DAYS. Yestef-
day $50 m en- we're added to the force, and over
200 stood at the gates, hoping to get employ
ment. The Jnniata is now ready for sea. and
will anchor of the battery to await orders The
work in the yard is being pushed forward as
rapidly as possible. and with the ships OF war
now lying there, formidable fleet can be start
60 IN few weeks. The orders are to get every
thing in readiness, but beyond permission to
employ 500 extra hands, received Saturday. no
tutnclity Tor putting on more men has been re-
ceiyed. Yesterday morning the steamer Nep-
tune, from Boston, came into the navy yard
with the men drafted from the Boston navy
yard. They were put on board the Vermont.
Prior to their arrival there were only $50 men
on board the Vermont, OF whom 80 we're drafted
70 the Benicia, to the Wyoming. IS to the Ju-
aiata, to the Manhattan, and 20 to the NJ aho-
pac. Further drafts from other navy yards are
70 be made for the Colorado and Minnesota.
Feeling OF the People.
THE GREAT MEETING IN NEW YORK.
:. A Cuban meeting was held in Steinway hall,
New York, last night. which was numerous!y
attended. W. n. Evarts presided. and among
he vice presidents were A. T. Stewart, Hon.
John A. Dix, VIM. 4. Dodge, Cornelius Van
derbilt and others. In the course Of his re marks
Mr.. Evarts said: I'VE deal with Cuba O. q com
mittee, and we intend to have redress for these
outrages, Gloud and prolonged cheering and
| secprity-perfect and absolute security-that
no such disgraceful butcheries shall ever again
be repeated" Renewed applause.l
Hon. s. 5. Cox said he did not wish to enbar-
rass the government Of President Grant. We
had bee protesting against the tyrannous con-
duct of Spain all along; bat nov Is the time for
| action. We might have been well prepared for
these executions at Santiago, unheard OF in the
history Of any nation. What was the remedy?
[Cries Of "war,, "wsr.-l
spirited eddresDes were alse delivered by
Il Hon. A. W. DnrlfNH Aauv ofharu