The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-11-20

ExultatiOn of the Cubans.
FURTHER SLAUGHTER OF PATRIOTS
Secretary Richardson on the
Situation.
Register II the vir.f.tus.

WASHINGTON, D. e.. Nov. 19.-The Chief OF
the Bureau of Statistics states with reference
to the omission of the steamer Virginius from
the last list of merchant vessels of the United
States, that she is entered on that list on page
~ as the Virginia, paddle steamer, tonnage
al 81 100, home port New York. Official No.
25,851, was awarded Feb 21st 1872.
Massacre of Patriots.
The Vose de Cuba publishes rumor that II
prisoners had been shot at the Holy Inn on &C
count of recently discovered conspiracy to
cooperate with the Cubans on the Virginius.-
There is no official confirmation of the report.
The same paper says editorialy that the laws
ought to be enforced energetically against the
conspratOrs without consideration little or
much, for what strangers may say or do. We are
owners of our houses and are well able to
manage our own affairs and defend our rights.
Advces from Santiago de Cuba, dated the 18th
inst, say that on that day the Captain Of the
British steamer NiObe and the British Consul at
Santiago were in prison, and had interviews
with the captives who remained alive. 1t was
expected at Santiago that the U. s. steamer
Wyoming would reach there ON the 18TH
Secretary Richardson ON the situntien.
Secretary Richardson in conversation with
the representative of the associated press to
day, stated: I have every confidence in Secre-
tary Fish. He would do just right, and you
may rest assured he will not be carried away
by excitement, neither will he yield one bit OF
the national honor.
In reference to the ability of the United
States to wage successful war with Spain,
should it be found necessary to resort to arms,
he said: Should such course be determined
npcnthe treasury department is fully prepared.
We have enough money 10 commence with but
exactly as to what will be done afterwards de-
ponds upon the prolongation of war, though
have no doubt it would be of short durati n
AS Congress will be here in two weeks it is
very certain that there will be no difficulty in
raising all the means we want. War of course,
will be expensive as it requires large sums of
money to move armies and fit out ships, but
we are equal to emergencies"
Al, He G then asked the question: do you find
answered that the sentiment seemed to be to
uphold the national honor he repeated: THE
opinions of Mr.. Fish are correct and the treas
ury department. is prepared to maintain these
opinions
The Secretary was then asked if the acquisi-
ton of that Island would not materially dis
arrange our tariff system to which he replied;
AT first of course it would upset everything
as we would lose a large sum of money the first
year from import duti on sugar and tobacco
which we now receive, but after that our inter
nal collections on these articles, especially on
tobacco would more than compensate for that
loss."
Ques.-Would it not be necessary to keep
large army of customs officers there?
Ans.-Yes; it will be great place for smug-
Cling. 1t would necessitate the establishment
OF custom houses all along the coast, and as
there is such an extent of the coast, many per-
sons would have to be employed to guard it.
The Secretary was asked if the department.
knew officially of the past history of the Virgin
ius. He replied he dd,-the vessel has been
twice owned by the government. Once she be-
longed to the division of captured and abandon
ed property of the Treasury, by which she was
sold, and again in 1870. She was seized at Mo-
bile for debt of defaulting the Assistant Treas
urer. She was then brought to the Potomac
md sold to New York man named Peterson
Her name was then the Virgin" but upon be-
ing taken to New York her name was changed
to "Virginius." I believe the Virginius and
the vessel which captured her, the Tornado.
were both built an the Clyde by the same build
ers for blockade runners during the war.
Disposition of the Madrid Government.
The impression is general in official and 9th
er circles to-day that the Spanish Government
are disposed to make every effort to settle the
impending difficulties and gentlemen who hold
intimate personal relations with the President
assert the belief that war will not arise from
the present complication, inasmuch as Spain,
through CASTELAR, had given assurances that ali
the proper demands from this Government will
be complied with. The energy aud prompti-
tude OF Secretary Robson, in presenting bold
front by our navy, has been the subject of much
favorable comm eat here, and the fact that the
efficiency of our naval service is being demon
strated SO completely is set forth as one of the
reasons Tor the impression that war is not like
~ to result.
Getting Ready.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-The unusual actici.
ty prevails m the Washington navy yard. The
Shawmut and Ta!lapoosa are being rap dly fit
ted for sea-
The volunteer movements to raise troops
thus far have been among the colored people
who apprehend that the government will have
need of their services in the field.
!, Prominent gentlemen heretofore opposed to
the acquisition of Cuba now express themselves
in favor of such q measure. q
Religious Consolation.
HAVANA, Nov. 19.-The Commanding Gen
eral of this department has received a commu-
nication from the Roman Catholic Archbshops
saying: "Great Jubilee fills our hearts when we
announce to your Excelency that among the
criminals of the VIrginus crew, twenty freely
and spontaneously asked to become Catholics
the Divine Providence having seen fit to crown
the efforts of our worthy priests through their
means contributing this brilliant triumph to
our holy religion. The prisoners were turned
over to their spiritual advisers at eight o'clock
In the morning and shot at D. m., thus giving
our priests only eight hours time to convert the
twenty. o-
m. Y. special. Captain Frye of the vir-
ginius, previous to his execution, wrote letters
to President Grant, his wife, Father Hubart of
New Orleans and to Walton Frye.
The Vose De Cuba expresses sorrow that all
hostile enterprises against Spain find favor
with the majority of the American press.
When Young Crittenden was executed Ameri-
can papers took the same course as now and en-
deavOred to work upon the public passions and
mercenary motives. 1t has no fears of any Sc
rious questions arising between the two coun-
tries there being no just grounds therefor
The fact that American war vessels have been
ordered to Havana implies nothing. If hufor-
tunately the contrary should be the case and
if unjustly intermidated by superior strength in
that case, above all others, the Spanish honor
will command every sacrifice from Der sons.
The Dlarlo says: We are strong in our right
and firm in the resolve to comfort ourselves
we'll, and haYe sufficient GOODNESS to hear the
American press without returning insult for
insult only again stating that their threats in
nowise intimidate us. because to-day we repeat
what we said i've years ago to the supreme
Government, "Save honor of nation, come
what may"
NEW VARK