New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-17
Ex-pREsIDENT wooLsEYs VIEWS.

EX-PRESiDENT WOOLSE1S VIEWS.
NO CAUSE FOR THE UNITED STATES To DECLARE
WAR WITH sPAIN-THE RECOGNITION on BEL
IIGERENcY WILL NOT HELP THE CASE MANY WAY
In an interview with reporter of The New-
Hdrsn Press on Friday last, eIPresident woolsey OF
Yale College gave the following statement OF his views
upon the vrgnlus case:
Upon being asked whether he thought that there WAS
spy for United states TO declare war
Spain he said no. ne ier Wss and
he thou went on TO say that ne was 70 some ehen,
ignorant OF the true situation, or At least knew Only
what had been pubshed in the public press about II
Assuming that this was Ia the main true the spanish
law of nations perfect right 10 do In capturing the Wiz
gnius II the capture made In accordance with span
ian the men we're tried and executed In accordance
with sp,nsn laws aud n the vrgnius. though sailing
under the United States flag was nevertheless endeavo
Ing 70 Fe1dsG aa % i%s by law Of nations
the United states Government cannot make the trans
Taspc am aSoep popt too that must be considered
is stated that che yrgnius was capture ~ Enghsn
Jamaica Now il this Is co. then the English Govern
ment protest and renonstrs,e win spain not .ne
Englana 10 take cogni,ance OF the transaction,
but England must be tile first TO take such steps &C
ssnd prefers 70 do nothing about it, the United STATES
cannot take any steps This Is simple matter OF inter
snein ia GOVERNED by Now II has been stated that Mr.
Fish claims that the arrest was illegal because made on
the high sea- and not whe sre n M Psb
this ground IL will be inconsistent III his president
Woosey's memory served him right with the precedent
established by tue United states during tho civil war
vessels captured upon the hgh seas neutrai
even before they entered the port OF Nassau
Moreover there IL another point. Our Government
caunot declare now for Congress IL not IN session
The President only recognize an existing state OF
war when we arc Invaded. Congress must declare
war with another nation Now there Is sun another
point--tha s the recognition OF state OF pegerency
in the Island Of Cuba; but this has nothing 70
do with the Virginlns case. delinquency couiu pe
acknowledged at any time and VIII not help this
ner whatever be made the pietext for aoknowledg-
ing belligerency. II the yrgnus, sailing under the
United States flag, engaged IN lawful undertaking.
the different. and Congress can ton take
such steps IL ut. 1t can demonstrate and that
does no good can declare war but ut least as FAR as
present dispatches show the Virglnius was clearly on
hbusering expedition and such appears to he the
case nothing has been contrary TO the law OF
nations least 80 far the United States are concerned
President Woosey then said that the whole matter
looked 10 him as IL it would settle down to question OF
the inhumanty OF the transaction III the Spanish laws
permit the killing Of many persons there was an IN
humanity such laws such 10 call for the remou
strance not only United States. but OF every civil
tied nation. Our Government can protest with SPAN
In the cause OF Humanity against such proceedings,
and could IL the vrgnius had sailed under
any other ag II Spain admits Its weakness aud nao
to control colony then there would be tune 10 take
such contingency into consultation. Proven that the
Virginus was Engaged I'm Illicit business, was gong 70
Cuba 10 benefit the insurgents. 30 far rs that single
transaction Is concerned the United States has not the
slightest ground for or complaint except as 70 the
inhumsnity Of the affair.