The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-11-27
A Dissertation from the American
Stand Point.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.--As 1t is no
customary for the Government to public
ly make known by competent authority
the progress Of its negotiations, It car
therefore be said that the statements re
garding an alleged agreement between
Spain and the United States, are to say
the least premature. 1t Is known thai
our Government has protested TO that ol
Spain against the seizure Of the Virginiua
while flying under the American flag
and the summary execution Of the persons
captured, Notwithstanding the efforts oi
our Vice Consul to secure q delay in order
that our government might be heard be.
fore Judgment should be pronounced: The
conduct Of the Spanish man.of.war and
that Of the authorities at Santiago dc
Cuba was contrary not only TO interna-
tional law but against the comfy which
should always exist among civilized and
friendly nations. The stay OF further ex-
ecutions at Santiago de Cuba by order, OF
the CASTELAR, government placed the case
In condition for settlement This gov
eminent has already shown TO the Span
ish government, or assumed II, that the
Virginius having q United States register
and carrying the United States flag was
Efina .tdcis an American vessel. At least
this character attached to. her OF the time
Of the seizure, and hence the United
States, In the absence of proof that tho
owners OF the ship resided in some for
eign port, were bound to protect the flag
she carried. The Spanish Government
has been afforded an opportunity 10
make proper explanation on these points
and to justify the conduct Of those acting
under Its authority. The nationality Of the
vessel being settled, the remaining point
will be comparatively easy OF solution, and
these include the nationality Of the cap.
tives. 1T II should be determined that the
Virginius was an American vessel In the
sense that shielded her from capture
her surrender would follow as matter OF
course, and the firing OF salute to our flag
would not be q severe draft upon the
Spanish pride. AIdemand Tor the surren.
der OF the surviving passengers and crew
for suitable indemnity for tho benefit OF
the families Of those slain at Santiago del
Cuba would depend on contingencies and
on the facts Of the entire question. II such
q demand were mado, II could not Ger.
tainly include families Of those nationali.
ties other than our own. Spain has before
now delivered captured American vessels
to their owners, through the Intervention
Of the United States Government, after
long delays, the contests always being as
10 the lawfulnesa Of their transactions; and
our government has for many years been
engaged in procuring the release, from
time to time, OF American citizens unjustly
or deprived ot7their property
In the Island of Cuba while insisting upon
respect to the U. 8. flag and the right TO
navigate the great highways Of nations,
without the exercise Of search or other
molestation. In repeated cases indemnity
has been claimed for the families Of those |
cruelty and npjustifably put to death.
The latter osses Of this kind being those Of
Speakman and Wyett who, several
years ago were executed at Santiago |
De Cuba. While It can be re.
peated that the Spanish Cabinet still
manifests disposition TO do whatever |
their honor will warrant, and while the
United States asks nothing more than
what the facts In the present controversy
may Justify, there Is as yet no such condi-
lion of affairs as will authorize thestate.
nent that q conclusion has been reached |
placing beyond doubt the surrender oi
The Yirginius. For whatever agreement
Admiral Polo may have made with
Secretary Fish will depend for ratification |
On the Spanish Cabinet, who, as expressed
BY several gentlemen In high public posi-
lions, will consider the effect Of their ac-
ion with painful appreciation Of the polti.
,al and pecuniary embarrassments with
which they have to deal at home, ire
Ipective Of the condition Of affairs in Cuba