The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-24
CUBA.

THE RELEASED PR1SOSERS-THEih iNEA A"-'N
WHILE CAPTIvEs-GENERoCs CONDUIT or
COMMANDER BRAINE AND HIS suBoRDlSATEs--
WHAT THE PRISONERS sAY-THE SITUATION
AT SANTIAGO, ETC.
KEY WEST, December 23.-A special says
that the survivors of the Virglnius were
kent in ignorance of their fate, and were
visited by bogus priests. whe eXacled dying
confessions from them. They thought they
we're going to death, and upon the comes
sions of these poor wretches it IS sala Al
torncy:General Williams founded his opiA-
ion that the Virginius had no right 10 pear
American colors. The poor fellows sup
nosed thew were going to the slaughter
house, but the presence of the Junlata
and their surrender to her officers lcd
70 most extraordinary emotional de-
monslrations. On the arrival OF the
pinta at Santiago orders came 10 the
shin from Commander Braine for the
noCmastcr TO issue all the blankets and
npa.iackets in his department TO the prison.
ers who were hardly fit to be seen, in their
rags. This was speedily done, but as there
was still great restitution, orders came loi
every man on board to give tnell own
blankets and wearing apparel IN the goou
cause, the promise being maze tnat I'LL wou'e
he rep,aced. On the arrlral OF the snip IL
Eor west che officers and men especially
complied with this order, only providing
fnat il should be issued us request, IN which
casc they would have obeycd with just as
much alacritv. Every heart was touched
by the pitiablc condition of the prisoners.
The poor fellows report that they were par
barously treated. They say that when the
officers from the Tornado boarded the VIZ
ginius one of them in hauling down the
flag of the United States tore it into ribbons
and lramplcd on it, asserting, with an oath,
"Tbis is what I bayc wanted"
The situation in Santiago de Cuba Is re-
ported as still very serious. A large ma
iority of the population is in sympathy with
the Cuban cause, but the volunteers control
everything with a high hand. Only week
ago twenty-five citizens OF Santiago were
arrested, and after mock trial bad beeh
gone through with, without any evidence
being adduced against them, they were toiu
TO 20 home. On the way they were cruelty
wayaid and killed, only one escaping. he
was riddled with bullets and dangerously
wounded. Americans are continually Ia
| fear for their lives. and bitterly complain
that nothing has been done to redress their
wrongs. II is not safe for an American
officer TO 60 ashore at Santiago. All along
the river line :;ianiarGs arc erecting new
batteries.
TONE OF THE HAVANA PRESS on THE PRESENT
ASPECT OF THE viRGINfUs AFFAIR.
HAVANA, December 23.-The Didrio de la
Marina to. day claims that as the United
States Acknowledgement has decided that
the Virginius illegally carried the American
flag at the time of her capture. spain must
demand her restoration and that of her sur
yiYing prisoners. 1t inters from the decl'
sion that the Firginius was plraic,
and that the United States Government,
besides her restoration, must give spain
satisfaction adequate TO the offence OF
requiring her surrender 1t also de,
mands that tie same vessel which received
the Nirginus at Bahia Honda shall return
her there, and that the Juniata shall bring
the prisoners back to Santiago, because the
| Eirginius was the legal prize of the lorna
do, and the prisoners can and should Dc
| tried ONLY by Spanish tribunals. Spain Is
advised to be clement with them and not to
employ the full force of the law. The Did-
rio concludes with the hope that General
SickIes will not withdraw his resignation.
The Diar1o, in another article, bitterly
complain Of the Home Government. 1t
says: no Spanish nation exists day. The
nation is represented only by egoti>tlca par
ties. The is no war.cry. Therefore our
traditional enemies put their feet on our
necks. Had Spain been united tie Wash
ington protocol would never have been ratl-
fed. The nation would never have per
mitted the shadow of such an outrage"
The Toz de CUBA declares that Spain now
has the right to demand satisfaction from
the United States, and that the resignation
Of General SckIes Is imperative in view OF
the awkward and ridiculous position in
which he is placed. In order to enforce her
demands, Spain requires more energetic
minister at Washington than Admiral Polo.