The Portland daily press., 1873-12-08
The Cuban Buster.

1t SHOULD always be borne in mind that a
large part of the news purportlng to come
from Cuba is fictitious. Certain new lights
in modern journalism in their peculiar ideas
of enterprise, do not recognize truthtulness as
an element that should enter into its news re-
latiye to matters of great public interest If it
be sensational, if it will create stir, its re-
liability is very little considered. When,
therefore, we read Cuban news or Spanish
news, or anything about the Virginius, we
should make allowance for a large percentage
of fiction, for which the inventive Bohemian
gets his daily bread. he always disdains facts
and takes himself to the realms of fancy.
But making all possible allowance for the
exaggerations of interested parties, there can
be no doubt but that the volunteer officers
who are responsible for the outrage upon the
D., Virginius and the fendish murder of her
crew, supported by all the Spaniards there
who have been brutalized by their contact
with human slavery, will, if they dare, resist
the delivery of the Virginius and the carry
ing into effect of the other provisions of the
protocol CASTELAR, evidently hesitates TO give
OCCdSlOu LulS COuAlCts eiuCC buC OpCu 4C-
bellion of the Cuban authorities and the ap-
peal-to the passions of the hot-blooded, jeal-
Gus Spaniards at home by his unprincipled
enemies, may bring about his speedy over
throw and with him the hopes of Republ-
canism in Spain. That he desires to avoid
any action which will arouse the open rebellion
of his enemies at Havana-for every Cuban
slave holder is his enemy and wonld rejoice
at his downfa!l-may be seen in the fact that
he wishes to have the protocol so changed
that the Virgin;us shall be delivered to q neu
trail power to await investigations as to
whether she is or not bona .fde American
vessel. If it were mere act of courtesy, this
request could be scceded to, but since the posi-
. ton we have taken is that the Spanish an
thorities have no right to seize the vessel and
practically try and condemn her on the high
seas, hence the surrender Of the ship must
precede alllnvestigation or further negotiation.
Consequently, our Government did right in
not acceeding to the request of the Madrid
Gov eminent.
Difficult as the situation is, it is hoped that
CASTELAR, will do his utmost to carry out his
agreement contained in the protocol recently
signed. The question for him to decide is
whether he prefers to risk war with the
United States or the bandits of Cuba. If the
former case, every civilized nation will be
against him, while in the latter he will have
the sympathy and we believe the aid of the
leading powers to pat an end to outrages in
Cuba and wipe out the last vestige of human
bondage. ~ lee9....7
If the Cuban volunteers refuse to obey the
orders of the home Government they become
absolute outlaws and the enemies of civilized
nations. The existence of such an irrespon-
sible and savage power in a country of close
and extensive commercial relations with us, is
dangerous and would justify our Government
in taking strong measures to ensure its sup
preston. 1t is not at all improbable that af-
fairs may drift into such situation that we
can unite with our natural ally-the the Cas-
telar government-for the subjugaton of these
murderous ruffans. Such q union would be
very satisfactory to our people and it is GER
tain that our government is contemplating it
as quite possible, if not probable, solution of
the question. sJ4