The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-11-29
Seizure of the yirginius.

The POSITION OF Our GOVERNMENT.
The following comes from an intelligent
source, and probably represents pretty
closely the position our Government has
assumed in tho matter:
The situation at the State Department
in relation to the Cuban question is I'M
changed. 1t is understood that the De.
partment, after fuller examination of the
facts, is no more disposed than at first to
concede the legality Of the seizure of the
Virginius. The position assumed is, as
far as can be learned that Spain has no
right to search Or capture an American
vessel on the high seas, no matter what
her supposed mission may be, orwhat may
be the character of her passengers and
cargo. The Vitginius, it is maintained
could not possibly be violating Spanish law
when outside the jurisdiction of Spain.
If she were bent upon a hostile GRAND
against the Spanish Government, as long
as she remained upon the high seas she
was amenablc only to the laws of the
United States, which she was unquestion-
ably violating, If the Tornado had taken
her into an American port, delivered her
up to our authorities and demanded the
punishment Of the men found on board OF
her for breach Of our neutrality laws,
while the seizure would not have been
strictly justifablc the act would no doubt
have been readily condemned by our Gov
eminent, because it would have been evil
dent that no insult to the United States
had been intended, and that the stretch OF
authority on the part of the Spanish ship
grew out of no unfriendly motives. The
conduct Of the Spanish officials at Santiago
de Cuba in the execution of the Virginius
prisoners is, of course, large part of our
case against Spain, but the Department
appears fully convinced of the correctness
Of its position, that the seizure of the yes
sci was illegal, regarding it as of the utmost
Importance to the safety of our commerce
that this position should be maintained
The Department will insist upon its ac
acknowledgement and the surrender of thC
vessel.
The almost universal opinion in the city
to-day was that the apprehended war will
Spain would turn out to be war of diplo
matte correspondence only, with possibl,
arbitration at its conclusion. At the Stat,
Department, however, no such sanguinC
view was held, and it was stated that the
danger Of final resort to arms is by NJ
means past There is no apprehension Of
an immediate outbreak OF hostilities, unles,
some indignity is offered to the squadron
despatched to Cuban waters; but until the
answer of Spain to the demands of oul
Government is received the issue of tn,
difficulty will remain in doubt. If thu
Madrid Government makes proper apolog,
and reparation for the massacre at Santa
go dc Cuba, but declines to surrender tn,
Virginius or to acknowledge the correct
ness of our position regarding her seizure
it is not improbable that the dispute,
principle of international law involved will
be referred to arbitration. II Spain re
fuses to apologize, war is believed to b,
inevitable Our whole claim will not b,
allowed to 90 to arbitration, because al
insult offered by one nation to another il
not thing for arbitrators to pass upon.