New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-18

with the question, and entertained mp"
that by rendering its good Offices TO SPAN
and to It's rebellious or disconnected subjects
an adjustment might be made suitable to human
ity suitable 10 the pride OF SPAIN suitable 10 the inde
pendence OF Cuba and suitable to the interests and duty
OF the United States Pressed as this object was by the
Administration, IL nevertheless failed ana whether or
not definite result might have followed II the assassin
alton OF theeminent Spanish statesman Cen frin' nau
not followed VIC cannot determine. But that plan
and project having failed, there ensued coresponu
quite active between the two Governments III ,ho
years 1903 1869. and 1s7o' II is enough 10 say
OF that correspondence and OF the TRANSACTIONS winch
mostly occupied its attentions that during all that
period the violence the part OF those administer
ing affairs In Cuba the heplessness in the Spanish
authorities exhibited itself and wrought It's disastrous
fruits, which have finally eliminated In the tragic
transaction which we deplore During that time great
injuries were inflicted upon the property of our citizens
in Cuba great insolence to the American Government
and the American fageven distraction by violence vi
murder to Of citizens, innocent, Whoiy uni
fected with any guilt Complaints were made, as tney
apt TO be made when there Is no other reeuy ny
regrets and by concessions and the results OF that cor
respondence were first months OF the year ISL TO
bring about convention between the two Governments
where serions and solemn examination OF our
grievances was entertained redress given for the
past security for the future That convention mas
been now time, and still Is sitting at washing
ton and all activity and all particular concern on the
part of our Government seems to have been lued oy
these concessions, and this effort at conclliaton
and redress. And now, suddenly, like thunderboit,
l Will not say from a clear. but not from very
angry sky both nations that OF Spain and that OF the
United States, have been startled by this awful occur
renee. do not measure IL In any OF It's relations 10
our public rights national honor, but speak OF
II a shock to the common civilization and human
y Of tho world [Great applausel 1t seems az II we
L.. III, n al
humanlzing and ciyzing influences OF which we boast
were brought pack directly in front or one OF the horr
Bile transactions which read of In history, and the
question is what live and powerful people, that has
spent its indignation the written story OF wrongs OF
past age will now do in dealing with the authors Of
wrong before face. (Appausel
THE STORY OF THE yIRGNIUs.
What "a the brief story 80 far It is imperfectly
known to us This Island Of Cuba, at the mouth or our
Southern gulf ia the track OF commerce. distant
only 1870 miles from the capes OF Florida. famil
lar TO our people for Of business and OF pleas
ure with immense commercial relations scarcely to be
estimated dollars aud cents is and has been the scene
OF discomfort, OF the struggle OF factions, OF the
pressure for liberty and OF the coercion or power.
On the southern side of it, only 95 miles Distant there
exists an important cology, Important island gov
erned by law possessing libertythe island OF ia
maca ship OF American origin. bearing all the evil
of American ownership, accredited upon the seas
By the American fag starts from the port OF Jamaica,
cheered and caressed by the honest sentiments OF the
people OF that island While the high seas. yet dis
ant from Cuba she is visited by Tornado not of the
natural clements but OF the pride and arrogance OF
Spanish power. (Applause.l No fate 80 lenent
as that the hurricane would have indicted
upon her has been her fate. Turning from her
pursuer seeking safety and Offering no violence sue Is
overtaken, her flag hauled down all without arms and
without resistance made prisoners; oil, whether
spaniards Cubans, Englishmen Americans without
any desire OF resisance and when safe within haroor
OF those on board tho ship detailed by Selection
first four the condemned and taken on shore
and shot; then larger draft is made and some 40 meet
the same fate, under the sudden condemnation;
then again 81 more, till at last the only evidence
that all are not slaughtered is that all had not
been reached in the deathdealing vengeance
Of these men Applause The representatives OF these
two powers at peace with Spain, the British and Amer-
can Consuls demonstrated In vain. The name, the
mower the resentments o. this nation 20 Tor notnns
II IL not 50 much that these Cubans could deal this ter
rbe ate on these defenseless bit that against this
nation OF ours filing this continent from sea to sea,
proud OF its dominion of the waves, these Cuban club
men, freuenters OF the Casino would say, Be
hold the fate that would administer
to all OF you We had you in our power
These Americans that take much interest in other
PEOPLES affairs let how much they viii do about
II when diplomacy needs TO be used Let US see how
many of hem can come here in the thunders Of their
mower and the resentment Of their pride when they
how we welcome them with bloody hands to hospltaoe
graves [Applausel Now. what pretense of justitca-
ton of this cruelty OF this blood hirstiness is made
Was this an armed snip, instrument Of war, or had
abe offered battle and did she oGsr battle
ON the seasi by no means. Was it ship
furnished with an expedition which was 10 make pred
atory descent the Island Of Cuba and after burning
and destroying make way with what booty could be
nherodg BY no There Is DO pretense OF either
Was this extremity of destruction OF life visited upon
persons engaged in resistance and however savage was
a. excused by the hot blood of combat and by the
earnestness OF self-deonsei BY no means. These men
were in their power. They were within the dominion OF
civilized nation II they had violated lts laws, and II
its authorities had jurisdiction over hen they had the
power to try and convict AMI to furnish the appropriate
nuoisbment We had an absolute treaty with Span aud
for every Ofense committed within her jurisdiction
every citizen Of should be entitled to trial accord
ing 10 the orderly process OF law and should be ac-
orded the right OF having his lawyers his attorneys
his notarie ms advocates, to defend hun before the
tribunal Was then this wari And II there were a
war then these were prisoners OF war, unarmed and
without resistance. and what laws of war are there
that permt the visitation Of vengeance upon prisoners
OF war2 Now We must understand that to the puOlic
law there are only situations which recognized.
aud which their appropriate obligations aud their
appropriate and adequate authorities.
One state OF peace, the other Is state OF war,
and there ia no intermediate that the public law
deals WITH or that nations tolerate as being set up as
against them 10 excuse, TO Justify TO account for the
dealing Of nation that has brought Itself into &C cunt
ability with anotherneton
LAND AND SEA PIRACY DEFINED.
II there were peace. whatever the crimes OF these
men, medtated perpotated then there was no power
in SPAN, no right In Spain. under the public
lavv az uations under her solemn treaty with tIs,
under the civilization that binds the system Of
intercourse together among the nations max
ing no the circle OF our cosmopolitan CON-
munity. except judicial. BY trial on evidence,