Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-11-21
More Executions In Cuba-The Ex.
citement In this Country.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA already noted as the place
where General Ryan and other officers, cap
tured on the Virginius, were shot, as else
where related, comes TO the front again, as the
scene Of the wholesale butchery of the Captain
of that vessel thrty-six OF the crew and
twelve Cuban passengers of high rank, who
were on board the ill-fated craft Among the
latter was Franchi Alfaro, the great Cuban
leader, who was disguised as a fireman, and
actually did the duties of that position on
the Virginius. The Spaniards said he came to
assume the Presidency of the so-called Cuban
Republic, and grandiloquently spurned the
offer of 100000 which he made for his life.
The details Of the execution have not come to
hand, but 1t is known that they were shot in
the public square by squad of marines and
volunteers. One thing is certain, the slaugh-
ter was in direct disobedience OF the orders
Of the home Government as Indicated by
dispatches from General Sickles, United
States Minister at Madrid
The occurrence was made the subject of
discussion at Cabinet meeting, on the 18th
inst. The impression prevailed that for the
present, at least, the interests Of. the Govern
ment would be best subserved by reegating
who was en- rapport with the Spanish author
tiles at Madrid, and could arrange the affair
more satisfactorily than the Secretary Of
State.
In anticipation Of further troubles the North
Atlantic squadron had been ordered to be
largely increased, both in respect TO vessels
and men. The monitor Manhattan, the sloops-
of-war Kearsarge and Juniata and the Maho-
pac were placed in commission and ordered to
proceed to Cuban waters Immediately.
AT the Cabinet meeting Washington cor
respondent makes the President say that he
had read that eighty Cuban insurgents, who
were captured as prisoners of war, had been
shot, and that, while the report lacked con.
firmation, he was prepared to hear Of its con-
firmation, after what had occurred in Cuba
He was satisfied that the Spanish Government
did not and would not approve Of such butch
cry. 1t was matter, however, which an en-
lghtened nation could not overlook. If, in
deed, this method OF warfare was necessary to
the support of the Spanish Republic, individu-
ally he could not wish such a Government
prosperity. If the Spanish people, in their
effort to establish republican form of gov
emment, could not control their authorities in
Cuba, then, in the interest of humanity, he
thought it time to interfere--not to encourage
the struggling Cubans, nor embarrass the
Spanish Republic in any way, but wholly in
the interest of civilization and humanity.
The New York Evening Post of the 18th thus
speaks of the affair: "The report from Cuba
we published this morning in its very brevity
makes the blood run cold. Are we living in
the times of Alva? Have these butchers no
fear of the indignation Of the civilized worldY
Or do they mean to provoke as go thatwe
shall have no alternative but to topple their
infamous and impotcnt Provincial Government
into the sea, and take possession in the name
of outraged humanity and jusliceY The feel
ng of our citizens was raised to fever heat by
lthe execution Of the four leaders. 1t will now
rise to the boiling pitch. Cuba and her friends
will hereafter need neither money nor men,"
The news excited great indignation in East
ern cities, and in New York and New Orleans
public meetings were held to give expression
to the general feeling of indignation that pre-
vailed.
Captain Joseph Fry, the commander of the
Virginius, WAS native of Florida, forty-six
years of age. He entered the Naval Academy
at Annapolis in 1914, and remained in the
navy until 1861, when he resigned, and en-
tered the Confederate service. He leaves, in
New Orleans, wife and seven children, the
eldest boy a cripple, and young girl aged
four years.
1t should be further stated that, large
number Of American men and women, pas
sengers on the steamer which left New York
on the 9th, were arrested ON their arrival at
Havana, upon the charge Of completely with
the insurgents.