New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-14
ADMIRAL PORTER INDIGNANT.

"oUg GUNS MORE RESPECTED THAN OUR FLAG -
THE PROSPECT OF A WAR WITH SPAIN CALMLY
CONSIDERED CONDITION OF TIE AMERICAN
NAVY
Admiral Porter, who was visited last evening at
the Gilsey House by a TRIBUNE reporter for the
purpose of ascertanng his views and prospective
movements with regard to the recent Spanish
atrocity very cheerfuly furnished all information
at his command and expressed bis opinions in the
most emphatic and unreserved manner. He SAID
that the object of his present visit TO New
York was for no other purpose than to witness
the trial of new torpedo launch in
which he was personally interested; that he left
Washington before the news of cle late wholesale
butchery was received there; that neither himself
nor Admiral Rowan had received any orders with
reference to it, and that he would probably receive
none while here, as he returns TO Washington TO-
day. He characterized the capture OF the Nirgnus
as great outrage saying there was no reason what
ever why she should not enter any Cuban port I'M
molested, and there being no state of war adj
mitted by Spain, rights of belligerency
accorded by her to the Cubans, the
Virginius was violating principle of interna-
tional law in carrying cargo of arms and NUM-
tons of war. He felt that it could be diplomat
cally considered in no Other light than that if any
law had been violated by the Yirgrius, IT was
simply custom-house question, and in that case
the vessel wac not properly liable 10 seizure unless
apprehendcd III the set. Viewing the ques-
ton in the light Of the vessels pos
sible capture in the English waters of
jamaica he said that the example Of
our Government during the late war, in the
case of Capt. Hunter, who promptly dismissed
the service for having chased blockade into
Cuban waters and there simply firing one shot at
her. ought 10 have some weight While We az a
government owe it TO our dignity TO exercise the
same diplomacy thai would be observed toward
Great Britain under similar circumstances, he was
nevertheless of the opinion that no delay should be
made in vindicatiDg cur right TO immunity from
search upon the high seas. II flag"
said he doesn't protect the deck it waves over. We
had better haul il i'm after ALL, said he, "our
guns are more respected than flag, and if dis
position TO them little moro was shown it
might be better for the flag" Spain il now Grip
pied and weak, and is therefore W be pited' said
he, and il wouldn't be crediable TO us to force
war upon her, but the principle for which, under
circumstances infinitely more hazardous, We
went TO war in 1912 must be maintained.
Spain moreover, is republican, and Presi-
dent Castelar, is friend from whom We
NAV expect a vigorous effort toward ample Tepara-
ton" The Admiral furthermore thinks that the
Home Government Of Spain WILDE terribly shocked
nv Tins news from Cuba He expressed himself az
well satisfied that our Government will exhaust
every measure proper in the case and felt that a
proper degree of diplomatic courtesy should and
would be observed in the case, whatever the ulh-
mate design of the Washington authorities may be.
"A proper showing Of poiencss," said he, is al
WAYS commcndabe, even a preliminary 10 the
operation Of knocking man down"
vi it'll regard to the chances in ;he event of a
viii. Spain. particularly IN the matter IS gayaI