The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-11-16
The Cuban Massacres.


place the assumption by the Spanish au-
thorities, that Cuba 10 not in q state Of
war is puerile. A revolt which has for 30
many years bid defiance to the home gov
eminent, which has found, not only men,
but money to equip them ms troops and
keep the field against a powerful nation, is
certainly war. If not, then the country
name of nation.
But aside from that, and regarding the
Cuban struggle as only q rebellion, by
what code of war or morals is it justifable
to kill all the prisoners II the most
desperate of bandits are captured, or q
crew of well-known pirates, they are not
slaughtered like 30 many wolves, but regu-
larly tried by the cirH authorities and
given q chance for their lives. II Cuba is
not in a state of war, all offences commit
ted there are committed against the civil
authority, and if it ia in a recognized state
of war, then the patriots are entitled to the
rights of belligerents and cannot beexecut-
ed for mere acts of hostility.
AS regards American seamen and officers
Cu OO610 tuO UnO SAoSS 0SASSASy
of their treatment cannot yet be estimated.
We know not whether the chip was cap
tured in Cuban waters or in the open sea
or in British waters, but in either event,
the crew could only be considered as en-
gagged in an unlawful commercial enter
prise. They were conveying passengers,
whom they perhaps ought not to convey,
and carrying freight which they ought not
to carry. But they were not fighting or
bearing arms against Spain. They were
not prepared to kill or willing to kill any
body. They may have been smugglers, or
contrabandists or blockade runners, but
they were not belligerents, much less
pirates.
1t is evident that " Spanish Volunteer"
are not the men to bother their heads with
all these distinctions. When they've got
man, they shoot him 6rst, and then they
can come with more tranquil minds to the
discussion of their right to do so. They
are as Indifferent to consequences as they are
to principles. Give them the power over
q man or lot of men whom they want to
shoot, and it will be in vain to convince
them beyond shadow of doubt that they
will ruin their cause irrevocably by doing
so. Prove to them that foreign powers
will interfere add hunt them as murderers
through the mountains, that their action
will unite public sentiment against Spain
aud give immediate Independence to Cuba,
and it will avail nothing. They will shoot
those men, il they can get the powder.
In fact from the time of their brutal
massacre of the college boys, it has been
perfectly evident that they are a con-
scienceless set of blood thirsty mis-
creants. They richly deserve the halter,
one and all of them. This latest exhibi-
ton Of their iendishness is only of q
piece with their whole history, but it has
gone out of the usual channel and finally
brought them-as happens sooner or later
in nearly all careers of crime-face to face
with the avenger,
The United States will now be obliged to
interfere. The scandaleus indecision OF
to an end. From one end to the other OF
this country, the indignant voice of q
horror stricken people will demand that
a peremptory stop be put to this infamous
brutality in Cuba, shamelessly counte-
nanced by great nation. Its agents have
gone too far this time and sealed the ruin
of their own cause. The very least thai
this Government can do will be to recog
nize the patriots as belligerents. This o
itself will insure their triumph. Thous
ands of Americans will probably volunteer
to drive the Spanish authorities from the
Island and, if SO, they will make short -worl
of it.
In the meantime the United States ough
to declare war against Spain, unless it
government inflict the most summary pun
ishment upon the numbering wretches en-
gagged in the Virginius massacre. 1t woult
seem that the least they could do would
be to hang the commanding officer VIII
sanctioned it.
RELIEF FOR SHREvEPoRT.-The Rev. j. J
| nDmo of thia citv now and for aom