New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-27
made to giving up the Virginius and her crew, in
which there can no M intaraet

Patterson. the Ieputed owner of the Virginius adj
mitted TO friends in New-York that, while he did
own the steamer when she sailed from NewYork,
he soon afterward sold her to the Cubans. On July
lo 1913, an Associated Press dispatch from Kings
ton, Jamaica. was printed in the New-York
papers reporting the arrival there of Spanish
man-Of-war and consequent fears for the safety of
the Virginius, and it is added that Quesada at that
time declared that he would blow the vessel up
rather than allow her to fall into the hands of the
enemy. This seems to indicate that the Cubans then
controlled her On the 1s of July last it is notorious
that the Virginius conveyed out of the port of
Aspinwall by the United States Steamer Kansas.
letter from Panama, dated Julys describing this
event, says:
Although the vlrginus has the reputation Of beng
Cuban blockade-runner yet Mr.. Thorington, who acts
as United States Consul at Aspnwa. certified that her
papers from the last port Cartagena all in order,
and therefore she was entitled the protection OF
merchant vessel belonging TO the United States. Com
nander Reed of the Kansas, considering that the
Consul technically right to the letter. though not
IN his way OF thinking, TO the spirit OF the law, con
yOyed the Virginus TO sea.
Further on the same writer says that the COM
mander of the Spanish vessel proposed to send the
Yrginius TO the United States for trial. and offered
to give security for the expenses she not con-
demned. and then ssyy5:
The people here though generally sympathzing with
the Cuban patriots, think that, in this instance the
United States flag has been abused, and that Spain has
not had fair play in the matter. Commander Reed,
when conversed with on the subject expressed SINH
lar opinion and intended to call the attention Of the
authorities at Washington to the matter for the purpose
having the register taken away from the Vrglnius
and he further said that :" the spaniards would be
quite right in sinking capturing her If caught at sea
heading for Cuba"
Although these facts may have nothing to do with
A., hot
and that of Spain they will be of great Importance
when the real character of the Virgnus comes to be
officially considered
TIE MAIN FEATURES OF THE QUESTIONING con-
C1UsIoNs YET Observation-Disclosures OF THE
SPANISH CABINET.
[GENIRAL PRESS DTsPATCHl
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26-As it is not customary for
Governments publicly to make known, unless by
competent authority the progress OF negotiations 1t
can be said that the statements regarding an
alleged agreement between Spain and the
United States are, to say the least, pre-
mature. Ii is known that our Govern
ment has protested TO that of Spain against
the seizure of the Virgnius while flying the Ameri-
can flag, and the summary execution of a number Of
the persons captured, notwithstanding the
efforts of our Vice-Consul to secure delay
in order that our Government might be
heard before Judgment should he pronounced, the
conduct of the Spanish man-Ofwar, and that OF the
authorities at Santiago de Cuba being contrary not
only to international law but against the comfy
which should always exist among civ
ilzed and friendly nations The stay
of further executions at Santiago de Cuba
by order Of the CASTELAR, Government placed the
case in a condition for settlement This Govern
Inent has already shown TO the Spanish Govern
ment, or assumed that the Virginius, having
a
States flag, was prima Jacie an American
vessels at least this character attached to
her at the time Of seizure. and hence the United
States in the absence of proof that the ownership
resided in some foreign party, bound to protect
the flag she carried. The Spanish Government has
been afforded an opportunity to make the proper
explanations on these points, and to justify the con-
duct of those acting under its authority
The nationality of the vessel settled, the remain
ing points viii be of comparatively easy solution.
and these include the nationality of the captives
If it should be determined that the Vir-
riuius was an American vessel i'll the
sense that shielded her from capture, her
surrender would follow as a matter of
course, and the firing Of salute to our flag
would not be a severe draft on Spanish pride. de-
and for the surrender of the surviving passengers
and crew. and for a suitable indemnity for the bene-
fit of the families Of those slain at Santiago de Cuba
would depend on contingencies and on the facts OF
the entire question. If such demand were made 1t
could not certainly, includethe families of those OF
nationality other than our own. Spain has before
now delivered captured American vessels to their
owners through the intervention Of the United
States Government after long delays, the contests
always being as to the lawfulness of their
transactions, and our Government has for
MANY wears been engaged in procuring the
apfa ua pifi
uniusty imprisoned or deprived Of their property in
the Island of Cuba, while insisting upon respect TO
the United States flag and the right to navigate the
great highways of nations without the exercise Of
search or other molestation.
In repeated cases indemnity has been claimed for
the families of those cruelty and unjustifably put
to death the later cases of this kind being those Of
Speakman and Wyeth, who, several years ago. were
executed at Santiago de Cuba. While 1t can be
repeated that the Spanish Cabinet still mani
tests disposition to do whatever Their
honor will warrant, and while the United States
ask nothing than what the facts in the present
controversy may justify there is as yet no such con-
diton of affairs as will authorize the statement that
a conclusion has been reached placing beyond
doubt the surrender of the Vrginius for,
whatever agreement Admiral Polo with bis
enlarged powers may have made with
Secretary Fish will depend for ratification on the
Spanish Cabinet who, as expressed by several gen
tlemen in high public positions, will well consider
the effect of their action, with painful apprecia-
ton of the political and military embarrassments
with which they have to deal at home, irrespective
of the condition of affairs in Cuba
PUBLIC OPINION IN SPAIN
TIE EXECUTIONS IN CUBA JUSTIFIED
MADRID, Wednesday, Nov. B. 1878.