The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1873-11-13
A Chance for n scrimmage.

| dispatches from Washington state that the
authorities have Information of the capture OF
| the steamer Nirginius, by the Cuban authorities
and that American citizens taken prisoners
and sumniarily executed.
| There long session of the Cabinet, at
at which all the members were present. During
the session an official dispatch received an
nUnncIEg the execution of BienbUa Ianuo, Pedro
| CtSpr,leS, Jesus DE Lilo and General Ryan, cap
Iuicd board the Yirginius The announce
ment uccasiuned considerable discussion, and The
hisiy action of the Spanish was severely criticis-
| r, aud condemned. 1t is hoped that in view of
the fact that an order has been telegraphed from
the government at Madrid, to the Captain Gen
| eTa uf Cuba at Havana, directing him TO await
instructions from the home government before
r:ecu;ing sentences upon the passengers of the
| Vlr5niuS, that our consul ut Santiago de Cuba
would have ample time to communicate all the
particulars of the capture, together with other
evidence on which this government would be
able To base some plan of action in the matter.
Up to Il late hour last night the department of
State is without any official information on the
snljcc:, except the notification of the capture of
the vessel, and that the parties would be tried
by competent court.
Complaints are made, nnoliicially that the
Spanish authorities refused all offers of this gov
eruIIeHi to arrange some plan by which such
hasty executions rs have taken place at Santiago
tie Cuba can be avertcd, in order to give this
government an opportunity to investigate and
dctcrIninr how far its duty is to interfere, and
allow the government of Madrid to take cogni-
ZarIrc If The authorities in Cuba seem to he
clothed with ample power TO do acts against
whci this government has earnestly protested,
aud whcu redress Is sought the matter is trans
fcrrrd Ia distant cabinet at Madrid. where il
is often found necessary 10 remand the case to
CnJa for Information, aud thus mnst every qucs-
tinn. involvin. the liberty aud even the lives Of
American citizens, is suspended to the grievous
injury of parties and at the hazard of irritation
from de ay, of which the nee .ssity is not appar-
cnt iu ne unfortunate sufferers the publ.c.
The Spanish government has been appealed to,
time and again since the commencement of the
rebellion in Cuba, to give such instructions to
the Cuban authorities would prevent injury
tn citizens nf the United States, though found in
that jurisdiction, until they had time To conmu-
nicatc with their own government and obtain its
assistance, but these appeals have been disrc
sar,ictl.
In consequence of this state of affairs the very
worst fears entertained for all thrse funmd
on board the VirgimiuS. Notwithstanding, il is
the determination of our government to do ali in
its power for their protection.
The navy department has official news on
the subj.'ct of thsii being government vessels
in the nrighburhood of the place of capture. Reg
iSiers granted to vessels continue good until
they are sold or change their nanrs. No intcli.
gcrce relating TO cit her Of these points us to the
Virginia, has reached the department. The
books of the treasury department show that the
register orisinall, granted to the VIrginuS, IT,
mains unchanged. The news received to-day of
the execution OF prominent persons captured ou
board the Nirginns occasions mncl surprise in
all circles, 1t not being supposed that the trial
would be so su.nmary rs It was. The suhjcG;
was discussed at The cabinet council.