New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-14
POLICY. OF OUR GOVERNMENT.


POLICY OF OUR GOVERNMENT.
DISPATCHES FROM CoNsUL-GEEERAL HALI-EdPEDI-
Nryrs IN THE WAY OF OBTAINING rSFoFNA-
TIoN-REM0Sss frances WITH TIKI SPANISH GOV
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. REPLY
ToEEKRAL PRESS DsTATCnl
W1sUrsGTnN. Nov. 18.-The news from Cuba, re-
ceiyed Yesterday was so startling in It's character
not only DIN the atrociy of the act reported but
from the f&ct that the Cuban authorities were Or
dered by The Madrid Government TO stay further
sxecutonb that il created at first in official circles,
doubts ~ to its truth, But these have
now be4n removed, and while the credit
Of good faith is given TO the Madrid
Governm sut, emphatic condemnation of the Cuban
authorities for their swift vengeance and disregard
of the commands Of the Home GoyeTnmen. is every
where expressed The Secretary Of State yesterday,
on the receipt Of the dispatch announcing the whole
sale execution at Santiago dc Cuba, telegraphed TO
Consul-General Hail. at Havana, to instruct the
Vce-Consul at that port to inquire into the
matter and to entsr an earnest protest against
the haste of the trial IN the face of the orders of
She Spanish Government for delay until fun ex-
ANIMATION could be made into all the facts attend
ing the capture of the Virginius, Mr.. Hal replied
that the Vice-Consul had already protested in the
strongest terms against the proceedings, but that
his action was seriously DISTRACTED by Spanish
officials, all avenues OF communication being
closed against him. The telegraph line between
Santiago and Havana being interrupted he was
prevented from telegraphing to Kingston, In order
TO make inquiry relative to the Nirgnius When
she was brought into port there was nothing left to
him but the slow process of The mails, and this
mode Of communication was of no advantage under
the circumstances.
cf ru1- T.aIN
dispatch the Secretary Of State instructed Minister
Sickles to enter with the Spanish Government
strong protest against the proceedings at Santiago
de Cuba characterizng them an outrage flyIli-
yation and humanity and an insult TO the American
Government Gen. Sickles has replied tbathe had had
an interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs
and acted in accordance with his Instructions and
further the Spanish Government, duly impressed
with the responsibility. had promised to act in such
manner AZ would show its disapprObstiOn of the
proceedings at Santiago, and at the same time it's
friendship for this Government The above refers
to the latest correspondence on the subject
The Spanish Minister had a long conference with
the Secretary Of State to-day, and Sir Edward
Thornton was afterward closeted with the Secretary
The French Minister was subsequently admitted TO
an audience, but on different subject. This was
what is called Diplomatic Day"-One day in the
week being set apart for foreign ministers The
Secretary was occupied till late hour with these
and other callers Of the various legations.
One of the points about which there Is much sohc-
dtude is the position Of the Virnius the time she
was captured. The fTst dispatch to Secretary Fish
Raid she was captured six miles from the coast of
Jamaica, while at about the same time dispatch
received at the British Legation said the capture
took place in British waters.
The President beng restrained by the COnsttu-
ton aud laws from making war on Spain by attack
my her Colonies all that can now be done is in the
way Of correspondence with the Madrid Govern
ment the official papers to be laid before Congress,
for such action may become the dignity OF the
nation IN yindicaton of It's honor and the full pro-
lection Of its citizens.
TEE ATTITUDE TO SPAIN NOT ONE or HOSTILITY
COOPERATION IN PREVENTION OF USELESS
BIOoDsgED PRoPosED-rEIEGRAM 10 MI.
sIcKEs
fBI TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13.-The attitude Of the Ad-
minis'ration with reference to the Vfrginius affair
is not one of opposition TO the present Spanish Gov
srnment; II seeks TO become ally of Spain TO help
her crush the perpetrators Of the barbarites which
have been OF almost daily occurrence in Cuba for
several years So far az the State Department
~ concerned there IL nothing TO indicate that
II has any desire that the end should be the break
ing up of Slavery in that island but that the blood
shed might be stopped The action Of the Govern.
nent IN sending dispatches to Minister Sickles with
directions at once toinforrn the Spanish Government
that the United States would insist upon protecting
her citizens if the required protection conld not he
afforded by SPAIN was one Of friendship TO SPAN
and not menace At least this il the way IL an
pasrs tonight, aud the sending Of war shIps into
Cuban waters is not that they may be on hand sre
pared to watch the Spanish, but towsteh the Cuban
authorities acting under the Government OF Spain
II 10 stated tonight that the entaugling tapes of
diplomacy were cut by the President, and that he
personally wrote tho dispatch to Mr. sekles at Mad
nd directing the offer Of cooperation to be made to
the President Of Spain. Not the slightest doubt is
snfertained in official circles that tie Spanish
Government win accede 70 the proposition,
aud that all the details will be arranged
SithoUt tho dsl2v usually sttendins Diplomatic