New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-13
TIE MlSSACRE or SANTIAGO.

1t must by this time be perceptible even 10
the Secretary of State that there is neccs-
sity for prompt and decided action in refer
ence to Cuban matters. The seizure OF the
Virginius and the murder of four of the insur-
gent leaders found on board of her were mat
tiers of enough consequence to require the
most immediate and thorough investigation.
There appeared at first to be two or three
points of law and fact to be decided before
any action could be taken. There was doubt
in the first day or two whether the Virginius
was an American vessel or not; whether her
chase and capture were at the beginning or
end in neutral waters; whether any of the
victims of the massacre at Santiago dc Cuba
were American citizens; and finally, under
what rule of international law or practice the
Spanish Government would attempt to justify
the act of the Volunteers. But some of these
points have been already cleared away by sub
sequent dispatches, and others have sunk out
of view by reason of the more important
issues forced upon US by the revolving
slaughters of the 9TH and 9Th of this month,
by which the greater part of the crew and
passengers of the Virginius have been butch
cred in Santiago.
at present with any accumulation of details.
Here is one fact which is sufficient for imme-
date action. The flag of the United States
has been dishonored in Cuba, aud the Govern
ment Of Spain is pOwerless to prevent or to
punish a repetition Of such Outrages. Leaving
ont of view the facts not yet asceItained, we
know that a vessel flying tho American
flag has been captured and taken to
Santiago by a Spanish man-of-war; that
over fifty persons, some of them Amer-
can citizens, have been taken from that YES
sci and summarily shot, without any such trial
as the relations of Spain and the United States
guarantee to them. This is an outrage OF the
highest grade which can be inflicted by one
country upon another. 1t can only be atOned
by prompt reparatiOn, which shall include the
exemplary punishment of the perpetrators. But
there is the gravest reason to fear that with
all the goodwill possible, the Government of
Spain is powerless to afford such reparation.
Immediately on the receipt of the news of the
capture of the Virginius Gen. Sickles had an
interview with Senior CASTELAR,, demanding
stay of the summary proceedings which it was
feared would be taken against the prisoners
on the Virginius. Thislwas at once granted
by the Spanish President. who is not only
reasonable and sagacious statesman, but
sincere friend Of the United States. His Or
ders were sent to Cuba instantly by telegraph,
but before they arrived the army had, by way
of anticipating them, shot four of the pris-
oners. The appetite for blood was only
whetted by this sacrifice. and on the next day
they INDUCED, in defiance Of the command of
the Government. in that fiendish butchery of
which we print the details this morning.
IT is useless to consider this matter any
longer from the point of view of mere
diplomatic usage. These Outrages cannot be
permitted to continue. 1t is a deplorable
necessity forced upon the United States to
say that they shall not continue. Both for us
and for Spain it is great disaster, and can
not be regarded in any other light. Our
neighbours house is on fire. and We cannot
hope to escape damage. We must help ex-
tipguish the fire-not in his way but in our
own. We have delayed interfering long
enough We stood still, in company with the
rest of the civilized world, and saw the
Havana school children foully murdered with
out any adequate expression of our condemna-
ton of sthe act. We were more bound
to speak frankly than other nations
because the horror was contaminated IN our
very sight, so close that the skirts Of the Re-
public were splashed with that innocent blood.
We are reapiDg the reward of our cOmplaisaDce
at that time, IN the tragedy of last week.
Whatever others may do, we cannot afford to
do nothing These infamies are committed at
our doors. They affect our national character