The New York herald., 1873-11-10
THE vlR GlNIUs.
Diplomatic Correspondence Between the GovS
ernrnents Of Spain and the United States in
Reference to the Seizure and Exscu-
tions-Doubts and Fears but No Fsetx


tions-Doubts and Fears, but No fsets
wAsHnG GroN. Nov. ., 1878
the capture OF the virgiuus was under one de-
cree OF the Captain GeneraR OF 1862 One OF its
articles provided that on the high seas contiguous
TO the Island OF Cuba the spanish cruisers were to
confine themselves't0 exercise the right OF search
over such vessels as might be denounced but in
consequence OF the strong protest of the Secretary
OF STATE, the Captain General said that.
In view OF the dissemination adopted by the
government of the Untsed States, and In order at
the same time, to relieve legitimate commerce
from all unnecessary interference he hae'concuded
to modify the Decree omitting this objectionable
article nom the series. The Secretary In his oppo
stion to the decree said the Treaty OF t795 au-
thorizes nothing bus the inspection Of the
passport OF the vessel Of trade met with.
while the article alluded to ccptem-
plated q search as to the character
OF the vessel beyond the limitation fixed by the
treaty; but it would appear from the Information
received by the department that the virginius was
captured six miles from the Jamaica coast. in
accordance with the article which the Captain
General said he had Withdrawn.
No new facts In relation to the virginius have
transDired to-day. The Department OF State and
Minister Sickles are In telegraphc correspondence
on the subject The Spanish government claims 1
that IL has acted in good faith by asking delay OF
punishment on the passengers and crew OF that
vessel, ana regrets It's telegram was not received
In Cuba before the execution took place. The
diffculty seems to be the nefiicency OF that gov
ernment to control affairs In Cuba in this as well
as other matters Our government Is engaged in
the effort to stay proceedings to the remainder
VI those on board the Virginius until all the facts
can be fully ascertained.
The Secretary Gf State has sent instructions to
both Minister SIckles, at Madrid and Consul Gen.
eral Hail. at Havana, to telegraph as soon as pos
sble all the facts in regard to the capture or the
virginius and the execution Of the parties on
board that vessel But Mr.. Hall replies
there Is some interruption OF the tele-
graphic line between Havana and Santiago de
Cuba, and as yet he has been unable to learn any
particulars. despatch from Minister Sckles
states that the Madrid government had no IN
formation Of the execution until after 1t had oc-
CURED. Mr.. Hall informs the Secretary that he
has taken the necessary steps TO learn all rne
particulars and Will communicate them to the de-
partment Immediately after their receipt. The
only Information the government now has is the
fact that the virglnius was captured and several
persons on her executed; but as 70 what waters
or under what circumstances the vessel was cap
tured no Information has been received. Until
ment will take no action in the mat
ter. The question being q very delicate
one, 1t is not the intention OF our authorities
TO take any step which cannot be maintained.
Under the law OF nations the Spanish gunb0at
Tornado had right to overhaul the virginius IL
she was caught in an illegitimate act within three
miles OF the Santiago de Cuba shore. On the other
hand. II the vIrginius was caught In an illegti-
mate act within the prescribed distance
and attempted to get away, the question as to
whether the Tornado had the right to chase
her beyond the distance OF six miles from the shore
is an undecided one some writer's on international
law having cOntended that vessel caught in an
illegitimate aot within the three miles may be
chased and overhauled on the high seas beyond
the distance OF six miles from Shore Again. n the
vessel was captured within three miles OF the
coast OF Jamaica, as IL has has been stated, the
matter will be noticed by the English government.
Our government is not satisfied that the vir-
gnius Ia entitled to the protection OF the United
States. 1t Is true that she sailed from New York
under an American register, but IL has been
charged that she was sold to Quesada some fifteen
eighteen months ago at Curacao, and since that
time has been sailing under both the Cuban and
the Venezuelan nags and II that charge
should turn OUT to be true she cannot
receive the protection OF our government
Hence action will be taken towards protecting
the vessel until all the above questions shall have
been decided. The indications are that the Cas-
telar government IL disposed to act perfectly
honest with the United States, but the internal
dissensions now In existence in Spain do much
towards embarrassing it. On the island OF Cuba
the influence Of the Cusend Espdgnal, a club OF
wealthy shareholders. has been very disastrous to
the home government, to say nothing OF the insur-
rection there. The feeling In ofcial circles here
Is anything but unirendly to Spain, and 1t is the
impression that ouly few days will elapse before
1t will be seen that the Castelar, government is
anxious to have the friendship and encouragement
OF the United States.
Broad Suggestion In Regard t. Cuba
and the State Department.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Nov. Q, 1873.
The article In the HERALD Of this morning on the
capture OF the virginIus and the murder OF four OF
its passengers compels me, as an American citi-
zen, to suggest thai your great and influential
paper ought to 90 one step further, and now, in
the name of the American people, Of humanity and
outraged law, demand that Secretary Fish be at
once dismissed from the ONCE he has so long dis
0raced or that President Grant on falling to dis