The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-12-04
The Cuban Difficulty Settled.

The annexed dispatch from Washington
announces the peaceful termination of the
difficulty between Spain and the United States,
growing out of the capture of the Virginius
and the slaughter of its officers and crew. The
settlement is regarded as alike honorable to
both countries, and vindicates the wisdom of
exercising prudence and caution in the matter
of arranging difficulties between nations The
Spanish authorities are given ample opportu-
nifty for showing the true character of the Vir-
ginius, together with the OBJECTS and purposes
of those on board, who met such tragic fate
at the hands of their captors. Much that is
now hidden from the public gaze will be
brought to light, and the sensational demand
for war will be succeeded by quiet conviction
that President Grant and his Cabinet have
maintained the true interests of the country
in avoiding an unnecessary conflict with Spain
We are glad the excitement is over, and trust
the country will return to the consideration of
more advantageous and beneficial topics than
war and bloodshed:
w WASdlNGION, NOf. A0'
The negotiations between the United States
and Spain with regard to the questions grow
ing out of the capture of the Virginius were
brought to a conclusion to-day, Secretary Fish
and Admiral Polo having agreed upon and
signed protocol, which the latter soon after
telegraphed to his government. AS conflicting
statements have appeared in the newspapers
regarding the intelligence received last night,
and also to-day, it can now be positively stated
that the terms are substantially as follows:
/. The immediate delivery to the United
States of the ship Virginius and all surviving
passengers and crew.
g. A salute to our flag on the 25th of Decem-
Der next, unless, in the meantime, Spain shall
satisfy the United States that the American
flag was improperly borne on that vessel /; and
further, that she had no right to the American
flag or American papers; in this event, the
salute is to be spontaneously withdrawn, and
Spain is to formally disclam any intentional
indgnity to the flag in the acts committed by
Spain against the Virginius.
8. If it shall thus be shown the Virginius
had no right to carry the American flag and
papers, the United States will institute pro-
ceedings against the vessel and the surviving
parties, who have violated the laws of the
United States, and Spain guarantees to insti-
tute proceedings against any OF her authorizes
who may have violated either law or treaty
stipulations.
4. The matter of reclamation for damages is
reserved for future consideration.
In addition to the above, it can also be posi-
lively stated that within the next two days
Secretary Fish and the Spanish minister will
determine the port at which the Virginius and
the surviving passengers and crew shall be de-
Hvered to the United States The words Sim
mediate release" as applicable to the delivery
of the Virginius and passengers and crew, i'm
plies, of course, reasonable time for its exc
cution, as some days must elapse before Havana
and Santiago de Cuba can be reached.
The agreement is regarded in official quar-
tiers as covering all the points of our original
demand, though in modified form which is
considered respectful and honorable to both
countries. The fixing of the 25th of Dccem-
Der as the time for saluting our flag is to allow
the necessary opportunity for Spain to show
the Virginius improperly carried the American
flag and American papers. There is sensible
relief in all quarters that the negotiation has
thus peaceably ended Both Secretary Fish
and Admiral Polo had for two weeks past been
engaged in producing this result, on which
they receive the congratulations of their re-
spective friends.