The New York herald., 1873-11-09
MIR. FISH AND ADMIRAL POLO
An American Man-Of-War Or
dered to Santiago de Cuba.
ATTITUDE OF OUR GOVERNMENT
No War Probable, but Much
Diplomatic Palaver.

The united states Government and the
Spanish Butchery in cuba-A Man-of-
War Sent To Santiago de Cuba.
The arair OF the virginius relieves the people of
Washington OF the tedium OF having nothing to
talk about but the fall OF stocks and the want OF
currency by presenting a new subject ioi discus
sion, possessed here OF some temporary interest
The Secretary OF the Navy this afternoon tee-
graphed to Rear Admiral Scott, commanding the
North Atlantic station, to proceed in person or
send vessel to Santiago de Cuba without delay,
to cooperate with Vice Consul schmlt: at that
place in protecting the interests Of the United
States in the affair OF the virginius Dispatches
and Madrid to-day several times. Admiral Polo
the Spanish Minister, with Mr.. Potestad, the Sec
retary OF the Spanish Legation, had long inter
view with Secretary Fish this afternoon The
Minister is empowered for the time to act with
plenipotentiary power and Captain General
Joyear, Of Cuba, has peen 30 instructed.
At this interview the Secretary OF State
called the Spanish Minister'S attention to
the extreme sensitiveness OF the people Of
the United States the subject OF Cuba, espe-
cally to the summary execution OF the so-caed
passengers on the virginius. In this connection
ne called the Minister'S attention to the sentiments
OF the President, endorsed on the letter OF Mrs
Dutton, the sister OF Dr. Houatd, in behalf OF the
release OF her brother and which expression
provoked on account OF the massacre OF the
Spanish students on 6 charge OF dcsecrating the
grave OF Castafon This endorsement, which is
as follows. refers to Minister Roberts, the prede-
cessor OF Admiral Polo:-
| hope the Spanish government will give Dr.
Houard his immediate release. Atrocities already
injected upon American citizens has turned the
whole country against Spanish rule in Cuba to
such degree that the people are scarcely longer
capable OF judging impartiaily IN matters between
Spanish and American citizens. Mr.. Roberts must
see this himself, and the danger to his govern
ment, unless more moderation is shown.
U. S. GRANT
DECEMBER %, ISL
1t was the haste which the President complained
OF and the apparent fear OF the Spanish govern
ment being prevented in carrying out their thirst
for vengeance. that made the President protest
against such inhuman conduct and such indecent
haste. 1t looked too much like shooting on sight
and going through the ceremony or trial alter
wards. This was not intended TO be understood
az excusing or defending the acts OF open enemies
OF the Spanish Government, but merely 90
indicate the feeling of our people In
matter that had already grown wearisome to
them. After tue interview Admiral Polo tee-
graphed to Captain General Jovellar his instruc-
;ions with the request that tney be promptly con.
veyed to the officials OF the Eastern department,
especially to the commander at Santiago ae Cuba
There mas been much inquiry to-day as to what
view the State Department took OF the case OF the
virginius. Diplomatsts, like jursts, have only
to deal with facts ana law 1
was not surprised 20 find my interrogatory
on this point coldly answered but as the views ex.
pressed are the highest that can be had, they are
entitled TO some consideration. They are substan-
TALLY as follows:- :-"It does not appear that the
yirginius has been puty Of any violation Of the
neutrality laws OF the United States, although it
may appear that for other reasons she may have
ceased to be entitled to the protection of our gov
ernment Whether the TACT o. her capture on the
high seas was justifabe or not depends upon
facts yet to be inquired into. II she had been
captured in the territorial waters OF the United
States that would have Afforded an evident cause
OF complaint the part of the United States
hp tar
torial waters OF jamaica that would have const-
tuted an invasion OF the sovereign rights OF Great
Britain. But whether captured on the high seas
or in the waters OF Jamaica, the question for our
government would be the same, provided she was
an American vessel engaged In honest business
and as such entitled to the protection OF the gov
ernment OF the United States. The capture is
already the subject OF correspondence between the
two governments by telegraph, through General
Slckles, at Madrid, and that the government is al
ready or soon will be, fully informed OF the cir
cumstances by the American Consul at Santiago
de Cuba. II may be taken for granted that If the
act OF the Tornado was without justidabe cause
our covernm ent will demand and receive com
plete redress at the hands of Spain. Meanwhile
il Ia question with which the Cuban agents in New
York have nothing to do, and the less they NEEDLE
with it the better for them. 1t is question Of
American rights, not OF Cuban rights. It is the
duty OF our government to look after the interests
or the United States, not those ol Cuban insur-
gents in New York or in Cnba. If the bona fde
property OF an American owner has been captured
by Spanish cruiser unlawlully, or II in that cap
ture the sovereignty OF the United States has been
lnIrnged, it is 10 be taken for granted that our
government will fully discharge Its duty to the
nag and TO the country. But there is nothing IN
this incident to produce solicitude or lead to
any apprehension OF rupture between spain and