Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-11-10
The United States Government and
the spanish Butchery In Cuba.


There has been much inquiry to-day (Novem-
Der sth) as to the view the State department
took Of the case OF the Nirginius. Diplomatists
Ike jurists, have only to deal with facts and
law, so was not surprised to ind my Interrog-
story on this point coldly answered; but rs the
views expressed are the highest that can be had
they are entitled TO some consideration. They
are substantially ~ follows cit does net ap-
pear that the Nirginius had been guilty of any
violation of the neutrality laws Of the United
States, although IL may appear that for other
reasons she may have ceased 20 be entitled 10
the protection OF our government. Whether the
fact Of her capture on the high seas was justif
able or not depends upons facts vet 70 be in
quired into. II she had been captured in the ter
ritorial waters OF the United States that would
have afforded an evident cause OF complaint
on the part Of the United States against Spain,
and IL captured within the territorial waters OF
Jamaica that would have constituted an inva-
sion OF the sovereign rights of Great Britain.
But whether captured on the high seas or in
the waters Of Jamaica, the question for our gov
an American vessel engaged in honest business,
and as such entitled 20 the protection OF the
government OF the United States. The capture
is already the subject of correspondence be-
tween the two governments by telegraph,
through General Sickles. at Madrid, and that
the government Is already, or soon will be, fully
informed Of the circumstances by the American
Consul al Santiago de Cuba. IL may be taken
for granted that II the act of the Tornado was
without justihable cause our government will
demand and receive complete redress NJ the
I ~
with which the Cuban agents in New York have
nothing TO do, and the less they NEEDLE with IL
the better for them. IL lie a question OF Ameri-
s ss1v g. our not OF O6t ses
the interests OF the United States, not
those Of Cuban insurgents In New York or Cuba.
has peen captured by a Spanish cruiser unlaw-
fully, or IL in that capture the eoveretgntyof
the United States has been infringed, IL 3 % be
taken for granted that our government viii fully
try. But there is nothing In this incident to
produce solicitude or lead TO any apprehension
of rupture between Spain and the United States.
ON the contrary, II found IN the wrong, we may
be sure the Spanish government viii afford fun
reparation to the United States. This capture
may revive the question Of some interest-viz:
between the United States and Spain, which
has been the basis OF the relations OF the two
governments from that day 10 this. The four
teenta article subjects to the penalty o. piracy
taking any commission or letter OF msrgae 20
depredate against the other, and the twelfth ar
tcle subjects the merchant ships Of either party
cion Of contrsband voyage. But The serious
question here Is q higher ene-that Of the
Legality Of che ss.r sssrs s &. ,s:ss .n "a
her true relation TO the Inited states.
sgeetng all the persons On board ne v,sEsia =;
are either notorious Cubans like Ceepedes or
varona, or 6libuster like Ryan; and the pre-
vious history Of the vessel, the great number OF
persons said to have been on board Of her at this
time, the potoriety OF the leaders among them,
the place and Destination Of the virginiSs when
oyefhsuled BY the Tornado, and the desperate
EFFORTS Of the former to escape from the latter,
are conclusive proofs OF what nobody seems 20
doubt, that she was engaged in tranIporting
men and munitions Of var for the use Of the
insurgents In Cuba The State department win
know better what 10 think Of the transaction
nnen sone honest American citizen presents
himself. showing that ct TIE tias Of ne capture
y. ne Wa tne owner Of the virginis and elatoinG
Spain. eSAnst