The New York herald., 1873-12-29
Threats Of the Volunteers---Prep-
arations for an Attack---An
Engagement Imminent.
The Prisoners Surrendered = Indigna-
ton Meeting AshOre-A Growing
Act Of Cruelty-Scenes on
Board the Juniata.
The Survivors History Of
Themselves.
. oS BOARD THE Y. :: sLoop-oF, VAR ~ JuNIATA,

On BOARD THE Q. $. SLOOP-OF- WAR JUNIATA,
OFF STATEN ISLAND, Dec. 2S, 1878.
After q rough and tedious passage the Junata
arrived here this afternoon from Santiago de Cuba
having on board the survivors of the virginius mas
sacre, in all 102 souls. l have already telegraphed
you full details OF their surrender to the Com
mander OF this vessel by the United States steam
despatch boat Pinta, having left the port OF Key
West on the evening OF the 18th inst. But the
tragic tale has not yet been half told; and there
can be little doubt that, mad the American people
been placed in possession OF all the startling facts
relative TO the trial and execution OF the captives
which, however, the Cuban authorities well man
aged to distort or conceal-the wicked agents OF
injustice, inhumanty and cruelty would long be-
fore this have met with that stern and summary
vengeance their crime entails Furnished from
time to time only with meagre scraps OF informa-
ton concerning one Of the most appalling
butcneries record, it can readily be understood
how the public mind partly overlooking the terri
BILE cruelties incident to the slaughter Of 53 human
beings and the bar barous treatment OF nearly
double as many more, burned with indignation
chiefly because Of the insult offered to the national
Gag, the main features Of the deed having been
carefully withheld. Perhaps the affair is at an
end; the crime may pass anatoned and the muir.
derers may 60 at large; but no strokes Of diplo-
macy. however brilliant or ingenious; no conces.
however plausble no contrition on the part OF the
distracted parent Spain, can wipe out the ever
lasting stigma which now dehles her degraded and
wolsh representatives in the blood stained island
they 80 well mlsgovern and pollute. Doubtless
the law OF capital punishment Is TO be suspended
simply because the accused are
OFFICIAL CUTTHRoATs
yet you will shortly see that more fendish or de-
hberate murder has not shocked the community
for years. Whatever may be the issue Of any
pending negotiations, the fact remains that, unless
some steps be taken TO punish the offenders in
manner commensurate with the outrage perpe-
trated, the culprits may go abroad defiant In their
vilany and living reproach to the calousness OF
the American nation. There can be no doubt about
this and ifan example be not made OF the prin.
cpals however late in the day, the life OF an
American In Cuba will henceforth be something
frightul to contemplate
THE DAWN OF TRUTH
1t is needless at this stage to dilate upon the
various complexities Of the case 1t being univer-
sally conceded that whatever the character OF the
Virg1nius may have been, her capture on the high
sea was an outrageous violation OF the law while
the subsequent disposition Of the captured does
not for moment admit OF discussion. IL may,
however, be interesting TO set forth true nara
tive OF events as they occurred. Hitherto the
aCcOuntS puUlSheu nave been more or less gar
bled, the Chief sources OF information having been
carefully cut Off, 30 that, between hearsay and
speculation, 1t is hardly possible that correct
statement Of the facts if connection with the cap
ture OF the illstarred steamer and the subsequent
proceedings could have been made known But
the recent release and surrender Of the prisoners
TO this vessel unveil the mystcSy In which the
dramatic story has heretofore been sshrouded. In
another part Of this letter the reAcued men
speak for themselves without fear, since
they are now beyond the clutches o, the
oppressors and have little TO gain by MIS-
representation. 1t will be seen that they
deny any intention Of aiding or abettng the Cuban
insurgents or that the virginius carried arms or
ammunition, and they assert moreover, that they
were bound to Port Limon, In the ordinary pursuit
OF their various vocations, when captured by the
Tornado. However ambiguous these statements
may appear, taking into account the character that
the vessel had previously borne, the fact that over
40 OF those on board had left New York together IN
the steamer Atlas, and tnat the yirQlnIus was
heading for the coast OF Cuba when the chase com.
menced--for we cannot overlook the truth In any
one particularly Is very clear that provided with
the proper papers, the destination OF the steamer
and the object or those on board are altepetber
foreign to the question at issueso long as they kept
within
THE REoUrRExENrs OF THE LAW.
While for reasons OF their own they may desire to
withhold some part Of the history not directly