Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-11-14

The capture by the Spanish
authorities in Cuban waters, of the
steamer Virginius, filled with Cuban
fillibusters and munitions Of wal
for the insurgent cause, and the sum.
mary trial and execution OF
the leaders Of the expeli.
ton, has caused quite COM
motion among sympathizcrs and ex-
lies in New York and other eastern
cities. Three Of the leaders of the
party aboard the Virginius, among
them Gen. Ryan, who figured so
prominently in the Fenian invasion
of Canada few years ago, were
shot at Santiago de Cuba, on the
morning of the 4th, in the presence
of the army and large concourse
of people. Upon the reception of
the news at New York, the Cuban
Junta in that city Immediately an
nounced the formation OF an
expedition to sail for Cuba to make
retaliation, and take revenge for the
execution of the Virginius patriots,
and the event is made the occasion
for strong appeal to our govern
ment tosrecognize the belligerancy
of Cuba, or interfere in some other
way on the side Of the patriots. This
will not probably be successful,
however, nor will any retaliating
expedition be suffered to leave our
shores. The authorities at Wash
ington are awaiting the arrival of
official information, before taking
any steps in the affair, and will only
interfere in case it shall be found
that the Spanish authorities have
violated the international law.
P. S.-Since the above was writ
ten, the following dispatches have
been received. They indicate a
bloodthirstiness on the part of the
the Spaniards that will not be slaked
short Of the bloody immolation
of the whole crew of the i'll fated
steamer, This wholesale butchery
will do more to create sympathy
for the Cuban cause than any efforts
OF its friends would be likely to &C
complish.
HAVANA, Nov. 12th.
On the 18th inst. the captain and
SO Of the crew Of the steamer Vir-
ginius were executed at Santiago de
Cuba, and on the next day, (the sth
inst, twelve more OF the Cuban
volunteers on the vessel were shot.
Among the latter were Franchi AL
faro. 1t is stated that Alfaro offer
ed the Spanish authorities one mil
lion dollars if they would spare his
life. The Spanish say that Alfaro
came to assume the Presidency of
the so-called Cuban Republic.
Several passengers, men and wo.
men, by the steamer City OF New
York on the 9th, which arrived
yesterday, were arrested by the
Spanish authorities on landing.
It is reported that they are accused
Of completely with the insur-
gents.
The Voice de Cuba says, edito.
rally, that it is human as anybody
more SO than many who make os-
tentatious protestations of philan-
thropy-but It cannot do less than
approve of the energy displayed to-
wards all the Rebels, and particu-
larly towards those whom the
fillibustering steamer Virginius
brought to make more bloody war
in Cuba.
A court martial for the trial Of
those captured on the Virginius is
still in session, working with all
possible dispatch.
Capt. Joseph Fry was manifestly
aware Of the object Of the expedi-
ton and the nature Of the cargo
which he was tempted to take
charge Of by large sum of money
offered him, thinking that there
were 80 chances out Of 100 Of his
landing in safety. He thought that
this will be the final effort of the in
surrectionists. The captain and
crew were shot by squad Of ma
rines in the public square. Twelve
of the insurgents were shot in Fl ont
of the slaughter house wall.
There seems to be a strong prob
ability, in view of this wholesale
butchery, that our government. will
interfere, in the interest Of HUMANE
ty.