Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-12
WASHINGTON.
Secretary Fish interviewed
Concerning the Virginius Outrage

Concerning the Virginius Outrage
Patriots, and Says Little of the
SPaniards.
New YORK, Nov. ia Washington
correspondent has had an interview with
Secretary Fish, regarding the shooting Of
the passengers of the VirginiuS and the
Secretary said.
1T was cold blooded murder, and no one
OF sound judgment pretends TO apologize
for the butchery, but the Cubans them
selves are misguided set. They have had
presumed patriots running loose in New
York and Washington cities who, had
they been made Of sterner mettle, would
have been fighting in battle on the Island
instead Ofmanutacturing useless and pseudo
enthusiasm in those cities. No one denies
that Ryan and his cOnfreres were in the
commission of the Cubans. If an Ameri-
can is willing to enter the service OF for
eign power he does it at his own risk, and
has no right at every turn which proves in
imical to his own interests or likes to ask
the intervention of a Government he has
voluntarily left to battle for another power.
III WOilu nave Detll lllltCll ulOIc ClCuiltD1t
TO the Cuban authorities to have kept their
officers at home doing service where it was
valuable Battles fought on the enthusi-
asm breathed in Washington and New
York, will not gain Cuban victories or add
one chaplet to the same. If they had
done more service in Cuba and less else
where. the cause on the Island might to-
dav present a more flattering aspect. Gu
!. IL l,n ,,,o1a of hattpr.
stuff than those who floated round these
cities soliciting aid and encouragement for
the InsITgent arms
Sec. Fish added that he sympathized
with Cuba but could not render aid in any
manner which viii conflict with the conf
ty of nations and further he wanted to see
better metal from Cuba than has yet been
sent before he could hope to hear of their
ultimately achieving their independence.
DiIigent Inactivity.
In the present juncture of affairs he said
| the State Department will use diligence to
be advised at the earliest practicable mo-
ment. After we have the full facts we will
act. This Government cannot now act be-
cause it does not have any basis upon
which to proceed firmly and intelligently.
1t NAV be a week yet before the news is
presented in an official shape.
The Consul who Ought to Have Been
at His Post.
| Alfred Young. United States Consul to
Santiago de Cuba, sailed to-day for his
post.
| The Texan Border.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-THE United
| States Marshal for the Western District Of
| Ha1nnval Williams
that Deputy Marshal John p. Fries, was
assassinated in that State on the 25th of
Oct. bv a man named McNeal who had
been convicted of murder and sentenced to
be hanged but made his escape from prison.
This is the fifth deputy marshal assasSina-
ted in that district.
still Waiting for ORcial Information.
No official information from Santiago de
| Cuba relative to the seizure Of the Virgin
ius has been received by the Department
of State. The Spanish Misister for Foreign
Affairs. in a recent conversation with Minis
ter SickleS. expressed disapprObation
of the summary manner OF the
execution of the most prominent
persons captured with the Virginius, and
gave him assurance that no efforts would
be spared by the Spanish Government to
show the United States that its friendship
was more substantial than mere words
The utteranceS were, it is believed bythose
who have been officially advised OF Them
made in good faith; but the Spanish gov
| eminent, like our own, admits the lmprac-
ticable character of those with whom it has
to deal in Cuba. Troubles which now con.
yulse Spain herself, thus rendering her al
most, if not quite, powerleSS to act effclent-
" in the affairs of Cuba, and restrain eX-
cesses which. under other circumstances
might be prevented.
The Cabinet on the Cuban Question
At a Cabinet meeting to-day there was {
conversation of long continuance with re-
gard to Cuban affairs generally and the pO-
sition occupied by the United States OF
that subject. There was no difference
among members of full Cabinet as to Ou
duty in the premises, present and pros
pective, while awaiting necessary ofhcla
information. There is no doubt that thu
Admiral and commanders of our fleet il
Cuban waters will be, if they have no
already been. instructed to observe ORDER
, issued in the spring of 1869, when report!
f came to the Navy Department through thu
: press and kilograms of several American
vessels having been searched by Spanish
F. men-of-war in British waters and on TIN
2 HIGH road of nations in the Gulf of Mexico
t The Government then, as now, took posi-
| lion that while the United States Govern
g ment wished to observe strict neutrality II
G | regard TO difficulties existing IN the lSlan'
+. of Cuba. they could not consent that on
) merchant vessels should be moleSted il
= their lawful pursuits, or Overhauled am
& examined. unless they were found commit
l ting some violation Of Spanish authority
r This they could onis G1 Ry landing arm
0 and munitions of war. The waters be
tween Cuba and the United States bein
: used as a highway, all nations vessel
: | should not be mOlested unless they Wer
{ within marine league Of the island, an
I not even then, unless detected in SOM
q overt act, 1t is probable that the fleet i
the South Atlantic will be increased with
T. out delay, and one or more vessels sent t
n Santiago de Cuba.
Discussions have taken place in officia
: mavters as to the course this Government
+ ought to pursue in case Spain should b
. unable to enforce the principles Of lnterns
. tiOnal law or violate those applicable to tn
a highway of nations, particularly aiiectln
T.. vessels sailing under our national flag.
+ has heretofore been plainly intlmated |
n Spain, in official communications, that III
I cessity might be imposed on the Unite
: states to decisvely enforce the principle
for which this Government has earneStl
commended. The future will determin
4 when they shall have practical applci
Q ton.
The Secretary of State, in conversatio