The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-11-25
e Z B A
Tsie PreSidenl's Views Of the
flTsinssls Affair.
Spanish Story of is7e Pursuit and
t!.fpstsfe.
NeyOsflDS AtrNCify OF q Cuban
Mob,
THE SPANISH STORY.

NEW York, Nov. ia dispatch
from Havans OF the 18th gives the
story of the capture of the Virginius as
obtained from Spanish sources, and
says the most remarkable feature Of the
capture was the absolute non resistance
of the Nirginius when overhaulsd. The
Tornado was cruising on the 3lst OF
October, under sail, about eighteen
miles from the Cuban coast In the Of.
ternoon she sighted q steamer about six
miles distant, heading toward her. The
captain ordered steam to lie got up, and
soon the steamer headed for the coast
of Jamaica, distant about one hundred
miles. The Spanish captain suspected
chat the steamer was the Virginius, and
ordered his engineers to get up all the
steam possible, even if they burst the
boilers, and drive the engines at their
utmost speed. The Tornado under full
headway gained steadily, but night
coming On the Spanish captain feared
he would lose the vessel. The moon
rising, he was enabled, by keeping all
hands on deck, at the masthead and in
the rigging, to keep in sight till the cor
yette had neared her sufficiently to bring
guns to bear. A shot was fired, but
the stranger made no reply, and four
others were fired in succession, the last
at 10 P. NJ, and Immediately the steam.
er, which had led tue corvette chase OF
nearly eight hours, hove to. Two boats
were lowered, and without resistance
the Virginius was boarded. The Span.
ish took possession by hauling down
the American flag which the Virgipius
had displayed throughout the chase, land
hoisted the spanish flag instead. Cap.
tain Fry, in his usual manner, handed
ever the steamers papers for examina.
ton, to the officer in command Of the
boarding party, and that officer at once
2ook charge of them, and both vessels
were headed for Santiago de Cuba.
PUSHING THINGS AT THE BROOKLYN NAVY
YARD.
At the Navy Yard the same activity
is manifested as for few days back
To-day two hundred and fifty men were
added to the force. The Juniata is now
ready for sea, ard will anchor at the
Battery to await orders. 1t is stated by
an employe of the Navy Yard thai
work on the Spanish iron-clad Arapites
was suspended to-day.
| MAILS DENIED LANDING
The steamship Cleopatra, which ar
rived to-day, brought newspaper mail:
which she took on her outward bount
trip to Havana. The Spanish authori
ties refused to allow them to be landed
REPORTED BRUTALITY OF A CUBAN MOB.
AsP1NwALL, Nov. ga dispatch
from Kingston says it is rumored tina
Ryan and Verona not dying easily,
Spanish officer thrust his sword through
Ryan's heart, and that a bloodthirst,
mob severed the heads from the bodies
placed them on pixies, and marched
through the city, The Virginius is re
ported to be sunk at St. Sage. Their,
is great excitement in Panama, wher
Ryan was well known.
THE PRESIDENTS VIEWS AS TO THE AF
FAIR OF THE vIRGINIUs.
| WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE Presi
dent to-day, in conversation in regar;
to Cuban affairs, said this Governmen
had thus far acted on such facts as ha,
reached it, and was now engaged in col
lccting from all available sources fur
ther information about the capture 0
the Virginius, and the particulars atteu
ding the revolving executions whic
followed that event. It was desirabl
that all information should be of sue
a character as would have no dout
whatever as to its reliability. The pre-
priety of this course was too eviden
to require an explanation. The Go,
ernment being careful in what it is no,
doing and what it may d., to act upo
, facts and not upon assumptions an
unconfrmed reports, it was essentis
that we should be prepared TO maintai
our position. The President said b
had changed none of the views hereto
fore expressed by him concernin
, events in Cuba, but had more than eve
been confirmed in them by recent OF
currences. He shares with the publ
their denunciation Of the capture o
the high seas of vessel sailing with
regular clearance under the Unite
States flag, and the startling event
which so quickly followed.
Spain never having considered th
Island of Cuha in state of war, an
there being no proclamation by til
United States according belligerer
| rights to the insurgents, the Virginiu
then regularly cleared for Cuba, had
right to enter Havana or any othe
open port of the Spanish possession
This Government did not recognize an
right on the part Of Spain in the pres
ent state of affairs, to interfere in an
, way with our merchant ships on til
!, seas, except in the usual right in he
own ports, and within one maria
!, league of the coast of any of her d.
, mains. and Of this fact she is aware
AS a matter Of course it is the detern
ination of this Government TO prote'
our citizens in all their rights, and
J compel respect to the flag.
OBJECT OF THE NAVAL PREPARATIONS.
The present naval preparations wei
: with this view, not to initiate war b
the President, that power being Veste
in Congress, but to be prepared for a
t possible contingencies on the meetin
9 of Congress. All the facts in the po
3 session Of the Executive DepartmeI
|, relative to Cuban affairs would be lai
before that body, with such recommel
q dations as the occasion might require
10 morrow, be said, be would con
, meIce the preparation of his messag
! bat would defer that part relating
, Cuban affairs until within day or tw
of the meeting Of Congress. desirir
first to obtain all possible informatic
upon the subject.
n