Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-11-18
CUBAN DIFFICULTY.

New York, II. The steamship Cleopatra
arrived to-day, bringing back the newspaper
mails she took on her outward bound trip to
Havana. The Spanish authorities refused to
allow them to be landed.
At the navy yard the same activity is mani
tested as for the past few days. To-day $50
men were added to the force and over 1000
stood at the gates hoping to get work The
Juniata is now ready for sea and will anchor
off the Battery to await orders
1t is strted by an employee OF the navy
yard that the work upon the Spanish iron
clad Arapiles was suspended this afternoon.
This morning the steamer Neptune from
Boston came into the navy yard with the
men drafted from the Boston navy Yard
They were put on board the Vermont. Prior
to their arrival there were only $50 men or
board the Vermont, of whom 53 were drafted
to the Benicia, ) to the Wyoming, ) to the
Juniata, 2 to the Manhattan and 20 to the
Mahopac. Further drafts from other navy
yards will be made for the Colorado and
Minnesota. The work in the yard is being
pushed forward as quickly as possible and
with the ships OF war now lying there for
midable fleet can be started in few weeks.
The orders are to get everything in readiness
but beyond the permission to explOy five hum
dred extra men received Saturday, no au-
thority for putting on more men has been re-
ceived.
Washington, Il. There were a few visit
ors at the Executive Mansion to-day, nearly
all of whom were admitted to an audience
with the President. Secretary Fish, who
brought his portfolio Of documents on the
Cuban question, was ciosited with the Presi
dent for an hour and explained the present
state of correspondence with the Spanish
Government, which the President subsequent
ly said to the writer of this article, that it
would now be improper to make public, be-
cause only there were diplomatic usages and
courtesies which it was necessary to observe
pending the controversy, but in due time the
result would be announced.
This Government had thus far acted on
such facts as had reached it, and was now en-
gagged in collecting from all available sources
further information concerning the capture OF
the Virginius, and the particulars attending
the revolving executions which followed that
event. Ii is desirable that all information
should he of such character as would leave
no doubt whatever as to its reliability. The
propriety of this course was too evident to
require explanation, the government being
careful in what il may hereafter do, to act upon
facts and not upon assumptions and uncon-
firmed reports. 1t was essential that We
should be prepared to maintain our position.
The President said he had changed none of
his views heretofore expressed by him con-
corning the events in Cuba, but had more
than ever been confirmed in them by recent
occurrences. He shared with the public
their denuncation of the capture on the high
seas of a vessel sailing with a regular clear
ance under the United States flag, and the
startling events which so quickly followed.
Spain never having considered the Island of
Cuba in state of war, and there being no
proc lamation by the United States according
belligerent rights to the insurgents, the Viz
ginius if regularly. cleared for the Island of
Cuba, had right to enter Havana or any
other open port of the Spanish possessions.
This Government did not recognize any
right on the part of Spain in the present state
of affairs, to intetere in any manner with our
merchant ships upon the seas, except in the
usual right IN her own ports, within one
marine league of the coast of any OF her DO
minions, and of this fact she is
aware as matter of course. tits the determi-
nation of this government to protect our cit
liens in all their rights, to compel respect to
the flag. The present naval preparations are
with this view. Not TO initiate war by the
Pres ident, that power being vested in Con-
gress, but to be prepared for all possible con
tingencies. Congress would meet two weeks
from to-day, when everything in possession
of the executive department relative to Gu
ban affairs would be laid before that body,
with such recommendations occasion
might demand. Tomorrow it is said he will
commence the preparation of his message,
but will defer that part relating to Cuban at
fairs until within day or two Of the meeting
of Congress- desiring first to obtain all posi-
sible information upon the subject.