The New York herald., 1873-11-18
THE WAR SENTIMENT.

S1nIASO-4hc x-uDlIC NOT Allowed to
Communicate with the Prisoners
Sketches OF the Victims OF tho Vir.
ginius.
roaring iood day after day, as the details OF the
Santiago massacre come to US, adding volume and
fury TO Its flow. Yesterday, Notwithstanding the
calm which might be expected to supersede the
reflections OF the Sabbath, the excitement was
very marked everywhere, and every new detail OF
information concerning the capture and slaughter
of the Ylrginius party was eagerly passed from
mouth to mouth. 1t Is singular, however, to note
with what unanimity the people at large avowed
their belief that the bloody and defiant disgrace
10 which the nation had been subjected could
only be atone6 for by war, and the almost
equal unanimity with which they conceded that
they did not think the government would push
its demands against Spain with any successful
result. 1t is useless to detail oil the conversations
that arise upon the subject; but hundreds OF times
yesterday the reporter heard such expressions as
these:-
''0h, well, it's no use to expect anything from
the government. We always knuckle down y
dare to do it' "Flsh will write letters
about 1t for year, aud then take
an Apologize "Why, the administration can't
go to war, my friend. Why. our national finance
system is a mere shell. We hear about reducing
the national debt and retrenchment in the
various departments and national economy and
all that; but we owe $50, 100000 gold interest on
our bonds, which will become due on the 1st OF
January, and as yet there is visible way OF rails
Ing even ttat amount tell you
THE GOVERNMENT IS IN A HOLE
and VIII have tough time getting out or it, ana
It's no use trying to make them take up this foreign
war job. They don't dare. sir"
ri dr. yvo hat
the United states ana Great Britain in regard to
the manner and alacrty Of protecting their citi-
one woula almost iancy himself in England.
Everybody conceded TO England the credit Of
OF her subjects were mperled; admitting that
she always preferred diplomacy when She had the
citizen in her own hands and MS
LIFE AND LIBERTY WERE NOT JEoPARpIzED
oy the possible arbitrary condemnation of a for
elgn tribunal.
:. concede" said gentleman in conversation
with friend. at the steps OF the stock Exchange
Il concede that the government can scarcely be
censnred because they didn't happen TO have Il
irlgate IN santiago harbor just at that precise
time; but there Is no ir1gase there yet, and no
likelihood ofone being there some days to come
with rebellion al its door in a nei!hborng country
Tor years and not vessel that can be sent there
to meet
TERRIBLE EMERGENCY LIKE THIs2
l mean to say, sir, that we lack craftsmanship.
Statesmen, TO be wortny of the name, should be
iarseelng and prepared to meet almost any human
contingency. We have had presages Of this event
Tor years IN the repeated insults offered BY Spa to
our cltlzens-yes even TO our consular represeu-
taryes IN CUBA. Philips, VINO cut his throat in a
Broadway hotel few days ago, was our Consul at
this same Santiago in 1869, and because he dared
10 interpose Officially there the spaniards drove
him from the city, and TO save his lie he had TO
ny 10 the deck OF "A British war ship In the harbor
ior protection, and our government did not
dare 10 send him back, but he was superseded, Tor
lear OF exasperating the spanlards. Wnen Houard
was Imprisoned at Cienuegos the Spanish govern
mcnt in reply 10 our demand for his surrender
Wa nor
recognize any demand, but il the government OF
the United states Will request as a favor, or by
courtesy, that ne De released, such an application
VIII be entertained cordially or course our gov
eminent backed down most shamelully asked the
Iayor,, aud alter a while Houard was set Tree.
Now, If we had not right IN request we had
no business 10 receive that man back as a courte-
sy; no, sir,
SINGLE WAR VESSEL
in that harbor week alter the Virginius was
taken would have saved scores OF lives"
THIS Is very lair sample OF the conversations
that prevailed everywhere and among all classes
oil people IN this city yesterday.
NEWS FROM SANTIAGO.
A letter received yesterday Dy CAPTAIN r. b.
Wasman, OF this city, from friend In Santiago de
Cuba, gives some details OF the shooting OF Ryan,
Bembetta Del sol ana Cespedes. IL states
that the prisoners were not brought before
any Court whatever Tor trial, though such
mas been asserted, and that they were shot
four hours after sentence was pronounced
against them. No one was allowed, even upon the
most urgent entreaty TO visit any OF the prisoners
nor were the public admitted to witness the exc.
cutions, as has been intimated by the despatch
from Burrlel TO the Captain General. certain
element OF the public. however-the friends and
toOls OF the Spanish Governor Burriel-were ad-
mitted upon passes issued under his authority.
The writer had been told by the persons who wit
messed the execution OF the first four victims that
Bembefa and Ryan were equally cool in the man.
ner in which they marched to and met their
deaths-no sign OF fear being visible in either OF
them.
senior Nicolas Lemus-An Interview
with the Ex-President OF the Mexican
Congress-His Views on the Cuban
Gucstion-AIi Mcxicans in Favor OF q
Cuban Republic.
Yesterday morning Senior Nicolas Lemus, ex.
President OF the Mexican Congress, arrived here
from Mexico. HERALD reporter called upon him
at Barnum's Hotel, Twentieth street and Broad
way, where he was staying Sonor Lemus occu.
pied seat near the window in the hall OF the hote
and seemed to be enjoying the sights Of gayety and
fashion which crowd upon the eye in this part o
Broadway Senor Lemus is a short, webuit man
who carries himself with ease and grace, and
whose face indicates both energy and intellect
He has large head, nigh forehead an aquilinc
nose, a firm, welLshaped mouth, largo dark eyes
fringcd by busby eyebrows OF the same color, and
a heavy black mustache that streaks the lower
part OF his face In q careless manner. Senior Lemu:
Is the very type Of the high-bred Mexican gentle
man. When the reporter accosted him he rose
politely and touched his hat.
'.senor Lemus,n the reporter said IL am a re
porter Of the HERALD"
''Oh, OF the HERALD SENIOR Lemus said, his face
lighting up with surprise; ~ am happy to see you
have read the HERALD frequently In Mexco.p
Senor Lemus prayed the reporter To be seated
lie said he spoke English but impcriectly anc
would prefer TO converse In the French language
The reporter then stated his mission. which wa
10 ascertain the views OF Senor Lemus ia regard {
the vrginius butchcry.
II have scarcely a correct idea OF what ha
really happened" the distinguished Mexican re
Piled, In French, "as lett Mexico on the I'd inst
and only just arrived In the Cleopatra. Mexico,
| think. will take usrt whatsvar In tua nreseu