New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-10

of 1895 authorizes nothing but the inspection
of the passport of the vessel of trade met WITH
while the article alluded to contemplated search
AZ 10 the character of the vessel beyond the hmita
ton fixed by the treaty; but 1t would appear nom
the information received by the Department that
the Virginius was captured six miles from the
Jamaica coast, in accordance with the article
which the Captain General said he had with
drawn No new facts in relation to the Virginius
have become known to-day. The Department OF
State and Minister Sckles are in Geographic CORE
spondence on the subject The Spanish Govern
ment claims that ii has acted in good faith by ask
ing delay of punishment on the passengers ana
of that vessel and regrets its telegram was not
receiyedin Cuba before the execution took place The
difficulty seems to be the ineiciency of that Gov
eminent TO control affairs in Cuba in tins as well as
other matters. Our Government is engaged in the
effort to stay proceedings rs TO the remainder OF
those on board the Virgnius until all the facts can
be fully asceItained.
The Secretary Of State has sent instructions to
both Minister Sickles at Madrid and Consul General
Hall at Havana to telegraph as soon as possible all
the facts in regard to the capture of the Virgnius
and the execution of the passengers on
board that vessel. But Mr.. Hall replies there
is some interruption of the Geographic
line between Havana and Santiago dc Cuba and as
vet he has been unable to learn any particulars. A
dispatch from Minister Sic,.les states that the
Madrid Government had no information of the
execution until after it had occurred. Mr.. Hall
informs the Secretary that he has taken
the necessary steps TO learn all the
particulars, aud will communicate them to the De
partInent Immediately after their receipt. The only
information the Government now has IS the TACT
that the Vrginius was captured and several persons
on her executed, but as to what waters or uhder
what circumstances the vessel captured no III
formation has been received.
Until these facts are known officially, the
Government will take no action in the matter. HE
question being very delicate one it is not the IN
tention of our authorities to take any step which
cannot be maintained Under the law of nations, the
Spanish gunboat Tornado had q right to overhaul
the Virginius if she caught in an illegitimate
act within three miles of the Santiago de Cuba
shore On the other hand, il the Nirgnius We're
caught in IN iegitimate act within the prescribed
distance and attempted 10 get away, the question as
TO whether the Tornado had the right TO chase
her beyond the distance OF six miles
from the shore is an undecided one. some
writers on international law having contonded that
a vessel caught in an illegtimate act within the
three miles may be chased and oyerbauled on the
high seas beyond the distance Of six miles from
shore Again, if tho vessel captured within
three miles Of the coast of Jamaica it has been
stated, the matter will be noticed by the English
Government. Our Government is not satisfied that
the Virginius is entitled 10 the protection of the
United States. Ii is true that she sailed from New
York under an American register but it has been
charged that she sold 10 Quesada some ID or is
months ago at Curacao, and since that time
had been sailing under both the Cuban and the
Venezuelan flags and if that charge should turn
out 10 be true. she cannot receive the protection OF
our Government. Hence no action viii be taken
toward protecting the vessel until all the above
questions shall have been decided.
The indications that the CASTELAR, Government
is disposed to act perfectly honest with the United
States but the internal discussions now in existence
in Spain do much toward embarrassing 1t. On the
Island of Cuba the influence of the Casino Espagnal
a club of wealthy Shareholders has been very disas
trous to the home Government.
The feeling in official circles here is anything but
unfleDdly to Spain, and ID is the impression that
only few days viii elapse before 1t Will be seen
that the CASTELAR, Government is anxious to have
the friendship and encouragement of the United
States. The State Department is not aware that
any United States vessel has been sent to Santiago
de Cuba, but it is probable that orders have been
issued by the Rcar-Admira commanding the North
Atlantic Squadron for OF the vessels that sta
ton to proceed thither.