The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-11-16
COLlU'3lMTIA !! IN s. G.
sunsayiMoruing; November le. 1873.
ThoIVifgioIus Outrage.

AA40A
Cuba. under the command of Captain
Joseph Fry, was run down and captured
near the island Of Jamaica. on the 3Ist
ult., by the Spanish man.of-war Tor
nado. The steamers distance from the
island is differently stated ut within a
league. at twenty miles, aud the Spa
nish official account says twelve miles.
The total number of persons. including
the crew, on board, is stated to have
been 165. of whom ninety were natives
of Cuba and the remainder foreigners.
The Tornado, with her prize, sailed at
midnight of that day for Santiago de
Cuba. and arrived at S P. NJ. the day
following. This seventeen hours sail
would seem to indicate the near prox-
unity Of the seizure to the island Of Ja-
maica, which is distant from Cuba not
much above 100 miles. The arrival in
port attracted an immense crowd OF
people, the Government palace and
other public buildings were illuminated,
aud the Governor (BurrieD received
congratulations from the civil and mill
tary authorities, and gave brilliant ro-
ception in the evening. A court martial
was convened on the Tornado the next
day for trial of the captives, all of whom
were tried ns pirates. Under the oi-.
cumstances of this excitement and ami
mostly, and by court organized to
condemn, four of the principal per-
sonagss on board the Vireinius and the
leader of ,the expedition were shot to
death on the morning Of the 4th inst.
These were General Bernabe de Varona,
Pedro Cespedes, Jesus del Sol and Gen. {.
Ryan. The captain and thirty-six OF
the Grew were condemned aud executed
on. the 7th, and on the next day. twelve
moro of the Cuban volunteers on tho
vessel were shot.
To add to the complications which
have arisen out of these summary exc.
cutions, eighty rebel prisoners. taken in
= battle on the island, were instantly
killed, and several passengers, men and
women, who had arrived at Havana by
the steamer City of Washington, had
been arrested on landing, charged with
complicity. with the insurrection. More
over, it is asserted that the bloody busi-
ness was hurried forward, 80 as to antici-
pate orders which came from the Spa.
nish Government to delay the first exc
cution until the facts of the case could
be inquired into. Telegraphic commu.
nioation was also interrupted between
Havana and Santiago, so as to prevent
interference from that quarter. The
whole transaction thus bears the appear
ance Of indus haste to shed blood, and
of hatred and defiance to this country.
Neither the Madrid Government. nor
those who represented it's authority at
the cupitdl Of 'Ouba, showed any power
to check or control the extravaganza,
haste and cruelty of the men who ruled
the hour. The colonial press approves
OF the energy displayed towards the
rebels. and particularly the summary
punishment dealt to the iillibustcrs of
the Virginins.
This resume will enable our realcrs 10
appreciate the difficulty likely to grow
up between Spain and tho United States.
indignation at the treatment these un-
lucky adventures received will hardly
be any less seriously entertained be.
cause they lad the purpose OF carrying
aid and comfort TO the insurgents.
Whatever their intentions, they were
American citizens, lin part.) sailing
under the American flag, on the high
seas. The cause of tho Cubans is rather
popular with us, and public opinion has
not looked with favor upon the s'owncss
Of the Administration to recognize it.
It is now in ferment all over tho coun-
try. The Administration is taking
active steps to inquire into the whole
transaction, and is fitting out vessels of
war to protect the waters between Cuba
and the United States. If the facts are
as alleged, it cannot stop short OF exact
ing the most complete reparation and
atonement. Once the course of conduct