New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-19
NO CAUSE FOR WAR WITH SPAIN.

GEN. PRYORS PROTEST AGAINST HAsTY ACTION
LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE CAsE-wAR ENOUGH FOR
ONE GENERATION
To the EDITOR OF The Tribune.
SIR: 1t is evident that war with Spain is
imminent and 1t Is equally certain though probably not
evident to the multitude that the United states
-prepared for war. and that war. even with Spain
will involve this country very serious commercial and
industrial disasters The writer while indignant at the
butchery of the Vrgniuss passengers and sensitive
any to the honor Of the American flag thinks never
theess We have bed with Spain; and that 1t
the duty Of every citizen in the interest of peace to
check the headong passions OF the people.
These propositions submitted enunciating indis-
putable principles OF international law:
l. That neutral vessel may be searched the high
seas and found to carry cOntraband OF war. may be
seized and conhseated by adjudication Of the Court of
Admiralty.
III. Much more may neutral vessel be seized on the
high and condemned, If 1t carry soldiers to the
assistance Of the belligerent
Ill This right to search, seize, and condemn the
neutral Affected by the fact party
whom the contraband and troops intended is
unrecognzed community OF rebels. The case of the
Trent is not inconsistent since she transporting hos
tile individuals to u neutral country.
~ The legitimate government has the right TO exact
the forfeit OF life OF such Of It's subjects in
armed revolt against It's authority aud has the right to
punish with death subjects OF neutral power engaged
in the revolt.
" Tae high is the property OF no nation. or rather
the property OF all nations equally; and neutral
subject taken the high with arms and In the act
OF going to the aid OF the revolt forfes his life to the
captOr.
VI II Is the duty Of neutral nation to prevent the
issue from its ports OF hostile expedition In aid Of the
revolt and II IL incompetent the ullment of the
Obligation the injured power may enforce the correa-
tive right Hence Spain might have as much right to
obiee the United States their neutral obga
lions s United have 70 restrain or punish by
force the OF the Cuban people on the preext
that their government was incompetent TO the duty.
The committed by the United states In
allowing the departure OF the Virgnus on its Illicit and
criminal Grand and they in position TO complain
OF consequences 1t is notorious that tho yrgnius was
fitted ports for the purpose OF carry
ing men and munitions to aid of the Cuban revolt
ments rebels and the consequences is that she is for
felt and the bellgerent individuals board sub
ject to execution under the laws Of They were
outlaws and had claim 10 the protection either OF
public law OF the laws OF the United States.
II these propositions be correct, then however exc
cradle the conduct OF the Cuban volunteers and how
ever our blood may boil with Indignation at their bar
barty the United States have legitimate cause OF
war with Spain. Surely have had war enough for
one generation. and forbearance will rather chsl-
lenge admiration for the selfpose OF great people
than expose them TO the suspicion Of pusillanimity
New. Fork, Nov. IT, 1873 ROGER A. PRYOR.