Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-12-30
Our Spanish Relations.
! From the National Republican.

The policy of the Government regarding our
relations with Spain will soon assume such
distinctive and positive form as to prevent the
possibility of recurrence of the Virglulus at
fair. Propositions will soon be submitted to
Spain of such character as to insureI IN ihe
event Of their acceptance, peace and qnlct upon
the island OF Cuba, either through compron-
Use b,tween the Insurgents and the Madrid
Government or some equally eftctual method.
tits sufficient to add in this connection that
the Government does not seek the annexation
of the island, aud that it will be satisfied with
any arrangement which will free the United
States from constant possibility Of recur.
renee Of the many unpleasant controversies
which have occurred since the insur.ectlon be-
gau. <.tI Il ~, :
. No advices of auy character haze been re-
ceived regarding the alleged intention of the
Spanish Government to demand the return of
the Virgiuius aud reparatou for damages.
While tits Known that strong Ieeiiug very
naturally exists 10 Spain against the submls-
sion by Castelar, to the requirements OF the
Polo Fish protocol, it is also known that the
Spanish authorities will patiently await the ar
rival of new Minister from the U&,itcd States
before attempting, if they intend to attempt,
to reopen the controversy.
1t is not expected, however, that under any
circumstances demand for the return OF the
Virgiuius will be made In the protocol the
provision for the adjudication of her case is de-
finitely made, and as Spain agreed without re-
servation to this provision, the United States
will hold her strictly to the agreement. But If
such demand should be made, it will be IN
stautly rejected.
The proceedings of The Spanish Admiralty
Court held at Havana, which resulted in the
condemnation of the Virginius as naval prize
or capture by the Spanish navy, have been su,
pcrseded by the higher authority of the proto.
col, and will therefore be ignored IN any future
consideration of the question. =
When Mr.. Cushing arrives at Madrid in the
capacity OF a regularly arcredle ed Munster from
this Government, 1t Is probable. that the Span
ish Government may open negotiations tor the
purpose of making a treaty between the Two
Governments, the provisions of which shall
more positively define the authority OF either
Power to ascertain the character of vessels sus-
pected TO be engaged 10 illegal or fhhustering
expeditions 1t is believed that Spain is ready
now to accord to us permanently the right
| which has been conceded ia the Firgipius case,
To III Uul thI way duJ IuSStlJu ul
lug from actual or allie ged violarious OF our reg
persous as may be found to have fraululcntly
carried the American flag at the mast head OF
any vessel during a voyage or expedition
against the peace and authority Of "a friendly
nation.
The main point to be settled By this prorns-
ed treaty is the treatment or punishment which
shall be accorded 10 persons who may be cap
tured in hlllbuSerlng- acts, as the nembers OF
the crew of the Virgipius were. The laws OF
Spain now provide that they may be-treated
as pirates, while International law defines pra-
CIV to be the commission OF acts OF robbery or
murder upon the high seas. 1t is evident,
therefore, that the laws of Spain are At yari.
ance with established international law, aud
that while vessel, such as the Virgiuius, may
be intent upon an unfriendlg act toward Spain,
or any other treaty making Power, she cannot
be adjudged as pirate, first, because her mis-
sion il unfrendly to one Power alone and sec
ond, because her mission is not one of murder
or robbery upon the high seas
It will DO that tho qu.etion horo Pr"
scented will when discussed with view 10 the
negotiation Of a treaty, involve the. cnDsdera,
ton of the traditional policy of the United
States against the Right Of Search. Spain will
probably insist that without the privilege: on
their part to exercise that right it is possible
that tllibustering expeditions may sail from
ports of the United States to her great disal-
vantage and injury. The United States will
maintain that unless bclligerent condition ex-
lists by the recognition of the Spanish Govern
ment, no authority to interfere. with the sailing
of vessels carrying the American flag can pos;
sibly be recognized, and that when such recog
nition of beligerency does exist if the right OF
search Is exercised it must be- at the risk OF
grave consequences by the Government whiuiF
exercises it. '...' -. go. - -
Ii must be apparent that it's impossible at
this juncture TO toreshadow anything more
than the briefest and most general outline OF
the projected treaty; but the foregoing may be
accepted as the basis upon which the two Gov
ernmenls will begin the negotiations.