Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1873-12-04
The Spanish Muddlc.

WASHINGTON, November 26-As it is not
customary for governments to give publicity
and make known, unless by competent au-
thority, the progress of the negotiations, it
can therefore be said that the statements re-
garding an alleged agreement between Spain
and the United States are, to say the least,
premature. 1t is known that our Govern
ment has protested to Spain against the
seizure of the Virginius while flying the
American flag, and the summary execution
of number of persons captured, notwith-
standing the efforts of our Vice Consul to Sc
cure delay in order that our Government
might be heard before judgment should be
pronounced. The conduct of the Spanish
man-of-war and the authorities at Santiago
was contrary not only to international law
but against community which should al
ways exist among the civilized and friendly
nations. The stay of further execution at
Santiago by order of the CASTELAR, govern
ment has placed the case in condition for
settlement This Government has already
shown to the Spanish Government, or as
sumed, that the Virginius, having United
States register and carrying the United States
flag, was prsnaG facte an American vessel
At least, this character was attached to her
at the time of her seizure, and hence, the
United States, in the absence of proof that
the ownership resided in some foreign nation,
was bound to protect the flag she carried.
The Spanish Government has been offered
an opportunity to make proper explanations
on these points and justify the conduct of
those acting under its authority. The ma
tionality of the vessel settled, the remaining
points will be comparatively easy of solution,
and these include the nationality of the cap
tives. If it should be determined that the
Virginius was an American vessel in the
sense that shielded her from capture, her sur
render would follow as matter of course,
and the firing of a salute to our flag would
not be severe draft on Spanish pride. A
demand for the surrender of the surviving
passengers and crew and for suitable in.
demnity for the benefit of the families of
those slain at Santiago would depend on the
contingency and facts of the entire question.
If such demand were made it could not
certainly include the families of those whose
nationality was ether than ours. Spain has
before now delivered captured vessels to
their owners through the Intervention OF the
United States Government, after long delays,
the contest always being as to the lawfulncss
of their transactions, and our Government
has for many years been engaged in pro-
curing the release from time to time OF
American citizens unjustly imprisoned or
deprived of their property on the island of
Cuba, while insisting upon respect to the
United States flag and the right to navigate
the great highways of nations without the
exercises of search or other molestation. In
reneated cases indemnity has been claimed
for the families of those cruelty and unjusti-
fablv put to death-the latter cases OF this
Kind Being those of Speakman and Wyott,
who. several years ago, were executed ct
Santiago. While it can be repeated that the
Spanish Cabinet still manifest disposition
to do whatever their honor will warrant, and
while the United States ask nothing, no more
han the mere facts of the present contro-
versy may justify, there is as yet no such
condition of affairs as will authorize the
Statement that conclusion had been reached
nlacins beyond doubt the surrender OF the
Virginius, for whatever agreement Admiral
Polo may have made with Secretary t1sn
viii depend for ratification on the Spanish
Cabinet. who, as expressed by severa! gen
tlemen in high public positions, will well con-
.ider the effect of their action, with pam
fui appreciation Of the political and military
with which they have 20 dea!
Il home, irrespective Of the csndit'on OF
affairs in Cuba. :. &. .....a
WAsmNaroN, November 27.-it IS statea
on what is believed to be good authority tnas
fhe Government has extended the ume 'os
lefnite reply from Spain to our demand anu