The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-12-06
in killed and wounded, and five of thei
villages burned.
THE CUBAN OUTRAGE.

l
the Government should at once take steps
to avenge the outrage committed by the
Spanish authorities in Cuba upon the
Virginius prisoners. A correspondent
at Washington telegraphs: sit can be
stated ON official authority, that while the
present naval preparations do not mean
war against Spain or Cuba, they are sig
nificant of the determination of this Gov
ernment to protect American interests al
any hazard, and to prevent in the future
such measures as those which followed the
capture of the Yirginius, and which shock
the entire civilized world The patience
| of the Government seems to be exhausted
and as nothing effective can be depended
upon from the Spanish Government. not
withstanding its friendly feelings toward
| the United States, the law of self-proteet-
ion is recognized by our Government as
applicable to the present condition OF
affairs"
The United States steamship Kansas
sailed from the Brooklyn Navy Yard on
Nov. IA for Santiago de Cuba. She is fully
equipped for service, carrying three guns
of heavy calibre.
Thomas H. Pearce, the American consul
at Kingston, Jamaica, was in Washington
on Nov. 1G, and had long interview with
/ Secretary Fish. He stated that Capt. Fry,
of the Virginius, appeared before him at
Kingston the day before sailing and made
oath to his citizenship and to the correct
ness of his papers, which, of course, We're
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 it as
his opinion that if the Spaniards captured
him he would surely be shot, and that ey-
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 it
would only be case of blockade running,
and as he had been Confederate blockade
runner. he reasoned that as the United
States did not shoot prisoners captured in
this business the Spaniards would not do it.
| A dispatch was received from Jamaica
Nov. IA, stating that on the 10th the re-
mainder of the Virginius prisoners, one
hundred and eight in all, were shot at San
tiago de Cuba. A Havana dispatch, same
date, stated that the trials of the prisoners
had all been concluded, and that only the
lives of eighteen would be spared. A Cien-
fuegos journal ofsame date states that fifty
seven of the Virginius crew had been shot
on the 10th. These dispatches, though
conflicting in details, leave no doubt that
the Cuban authorities have concluded their
bloody work by wholesale massacre of
the prisoners in their hands.
The London journals generally admit
that the Virginius massacre must bring
about the annexation of Cuba to the
United States.
1t is said that sixteen of the Virginius
victims were British subjects.
According to Washington dispatch Of
Nov. IL, the President in recent conVer.
sation relative to Cuban matters had eX-
pressed himself as follows: This Gov.
; ernment had thus far acted on such facts
as had reached it, and was now engaget
in collecting from all available sources
further information concerning. the cap
ture of the Virginius and particulars at
tending the revolting executions whicl
followed that event. 1t was desirable tina
: all information should be of such elarac
ter as would leave no doubt whatever a
to its reliability. It was essential that w
should be prepared TO maintain our posi-
tion He shared with the public their de
: nunciation of the capture on the high sea
of a vessel sailing with regular clear
ance, and under the United States flag
a and the startling events which so quicl,
: ly followed. Spain never hayin!
c considered the island of Cuba in
s state of war, and there being no pro
k clamation by the United States accordin!
e belligerent rights to insurgents, the Vii
n ginius, if regularly cleared for the 1slan'
e of Cuba, had right to enter Havana, 0
e any other open port of its possessions
# This Government did not recognize an
s right on the part of Spain, in the presen
= state of affairs, to interfere in any manne
, with our merchant ships upon the seas
Il except the usual right in her own port:
/ and within one marine league of the eoas
q of any of her dominions; and of this fat
, she is aware, as matter Of course. It
l. the determination of this Government
e protect its own citizens in all their rights
e and compel respect to her flag. The pre-
L ent naval preparations were with this view
L not to initiate war by the President, th;
$ power being vested in Congress, but to
e nrenared for all nossihIe c0Dtiuoencie
/ Upon the meeting of Congress all facts
Ie the possession of the Executive depar
e. ment relative to Cuba would be laid befol
Of that body, with such recommendation
ie the occasion might demand.
A New York dispatch of Nov. II, sa.
1T that the steamship Cleopatra had brougl
a back on her return trip. from Havana Il
le New York newspaper mails which 81
Y took out for that port, the authorities r