The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-11-22
THE CUBAN TROUBLE.

The large city dailies have teemed wit
many columns of so called Cuba news durn
the week, but in reality there is very little
the way of authentic facts to add to what :"
said last week.
The details of the voyage and capture G
the Virginius are given. She sailed IRON
Kingston with regular American papers ant
under the u. S. flag Oct. Gath; but on accoun
of damage TO her machinery put into por
OF Havti, remaining there until Oct. 3Otll
when she started to make quick run to Gu
ba. Her papers were made out TO Colon
whittier she pretended to carry men to wori
on railroad But on the same day she lei
Hayti the Spanish Consul at Kingston advis
ed the authorities at Santiago that the VIZ
ginius was in Morrant Bay, upon which TIT
Spanish steam corvette Tornado, which
had Just arrived, started IN pursuit and over
hauled the virginius about 10 o'clock Al
night, 10 to % miles off the Jamaica coast
The chase had lasted eight hours the Virgin
JUS being out of coal, and when brought to
made no resistance. Capt Fry showed his
papers, but no attention was PAID to them
The American flag was hauled down, the
spanish flag run up in its place, all on board
the Virginius made prisoners, and the vessel
towed into Santiago.
Next day Il hasty court martial was held
and all on board but four found guilty and
condemned as pirates, On the 4th Gen. Ryan
and the other three leaders were shot On
the It'll Capt Fry and 3G more were shot, and
on the 10th 81 more-leaging G6 of the 165 on
board still alive by some accounts, while 9th
or accounts say all have been shot except f.
that were acquitted.
The Spanish or "loyal" people Of Santiago
seem to have been frantic with joy over the
capture, and INDUCED in all kinds Of excuses,
and when, on the 10th, the Virgnius was la
ken to Havana, the rejoicing there was also
unbounded, and besides endless professions
in honor of the Captain and men Of the Tor
nado, bul-fght was ordered to celebrate
their achievement
That, with such a feeling on the subject
among the Spaniards in Cuba, no admontions
or even positive orders in favor of moderation
from Madrid were regarded, is easily imagin-
cd That the government Of Castelcr did posi-.
lively direct that no executions should take
place until further orders from Spain, there
is no doubt but such was the rage of the vol
untccr rufians in Cuba, that nothing could
restrain them.
Under all the circumstances, what coarse
should the United States pursue? The Vir.
ginius was beyond question captured on the
nigh sea, sailing under the L. s. flag. and
with regular papers. The question then arts
rs, can vessel with an American register, |
under the American flag, in time of peace, |
be brought to on the high seas by a cannon
Shot seized and carried into port, and the
crew and passengers be put to death with no
rher trial than a hasty drum head court
martial: That is the question which our gov
cnment will probably ask of the government
at Madrid, which will doubtless answer it in
the negative, disclaim and denounce the acts
Of the provincial authorities, and offer
prompt apology. Blu. will disclaimers and |
apologies be accepted as adequate and salts
factory, or ought they to be:
Is the government at Madrid able, in addi-
lion 10 such moral reparation TO give guar
antics against similar molestation, and SINH
lar insults 10 our flag and similar outrages
against the instincts Of humanity throughout
Inc civilized world, for the future? All the
world knows that in her present crcum-
stances, the republic Of Spain is in no condi-
ion to do anything Of the sort.
What then is the American government to
10: This is doubtless hard question To,
rush perciptatcly into a war with Spain, In
her weak and almost helpless condition,
would neither be magnanimous or honorable.
Yet If Spain Is unable 50 far to control her
Official agents and subordInates, or her ruffian
population in Cuba as to compel them to de
sist from the constant commission of such L
ouirages, she will have no right to complain
II the United States place such ornaments in
her waters, and even such force upon her
shores as shall enable her to protect our own
citizens in their security of person and rights
OF property as are guaranteed to them by the
laws and usagcs Of civilized nations.
othis extent the government of the [. 5.
can win eh'ire justice and must go; and to
ms extent we take it, our government, by
the activity with which she is fitting out and
despalching vessels Of war to the Cuban wa.
tiers, means TO 90 forthwith. What further
action the case may demand, the admipistra.
ton can only with safety entrust to the solu.
ton Of Congress.
Notice.
Hon Jos. Har, and j. 5 Armstrong. E.o