New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-11
THE VIRGINIUS.
OPINIONS AT WASHINGTON.

WILL Do-sEcRETARY FISH THINKS SPAIN WILL
MAKE DUE REPARAuoN-THE REPORTED Exc
CUTIoN OF SANTA ROSA.
lBr TELEGRAPH THE TRBUsEt
W,sHINGTON, Nov. 10.-The details of the inter
ference Of the British Government IN 1884 to stop
the barbanties perpetrated in the Carst war, were
laid before the President to-day a. a pertinent pre-
cedent TO be considered in connection with the Viz
gnius affair The course of the British Government
was the immediate consequence of an actvery simi-
lar TO the execution Of Ryan and his companions.
An English ship oyerhauled by Spanish man
Of-war and two Carlist officers taken from her and
summarily shot, after q drum-hcad court-martlal.
The Government Of Queen Isabella treated the Carl
lists as traitors, aud had from the outbreak OF
the rebellion shot all prisoners captured. The Car
lists retaated, and the war was one OF brutal fe-
Tocity on both sides The execution OF the two Off
taken from the English ship reused the British
Ministry to action. With the assent OF the other
parties TO the rpartite alliance-France and Portu-
gal-L0rd Eliot was sent to Spain, and he made
convention between the MadIid Government and
the Carlist chiefs which, without recognizing the
bellgerency of the latter bound both TO respect the
rules of civilized warfare, and put an immediate
stop to the murder of prisoners Provision was
made for the regular exchange of prisoners. The
terms Of the Convention were adhered to until the
war ended in 1899.
The Star this evening has report Of an interview
with the Secretary OF State on the subject of the
capture of the steamer Vrginius by the Spanish ship
of war, and the execution of four OF the formers
officers. Mr. Fish's statements If The Star ~ to be
credited, remarkable The report OF the CONVEX
satlon is as follOws . "a.
Mr.. Fish Stated that he had not yet been able to
receive any information concerning the SEIZURE and
execution other than that the Vlrginius was captured
the Island OF jamaica; that Geographic eommuhi
cation between Havana and Santiago de CUBA was
interrupted and might De several days before the run
details officially presented Last night. dispatch
was received by the Secretary from Minister
sickes, who stated that he had had an additional
interview with Castelar,, and that news Of the
had been officially received at Madrid. The
Spanish Government at elegraphed the authorities
at Havana peremptory dispatch TO stay all further
proceedings in the OF the other captves" Said
MI Fish: You that the Is complicated one.
This Government cannot act upon vague information
We cannot bring the dead 10 life. bat We can eli
deayor 10 prevent further executions. aud you may
say this much has already been accomplished There
will be executions. In regard 10 the seizure we
nave official information. II the NifgDius was INST
sighed ia Spanish waters aud chased 10 the hign seas
ana capured, that forms one view Of the case II she
the high and chased TO Jamaica, that forms
another; and If she captured within league OF
Jamaica. IL becomes a matter for the English Govern
ment 10 take cOgnzance Oh"
The Consul at santiago lie Cuba IL A. II. Young.
somehow other this mportant iunctonary away
from his post" said 3r. Fish. Mr. Young not at
Santiago dc Cuba he away from his post without
leave The fact to be that the Government OF the
United states had but Assistant Consul
Smith on hand to enter protest. AMI hence the eNecu
lions rushed through before intervention was pos
sble when, "a Consul OF tho un'"u states
had been present to demur, stay might
had louV al All
IN have received the order from Medr1 forbdng these
executions Nj. Fish had The Government OF spain
IL composed OF good Republicans. They mean
we'll: they have made many concessions al
the instance OF this Government. Tho whole
trouble - with the Spanish Volunteers IN Cuba.
No one attempts 10 apologize for their brutality aud
butcbery. I thnk II the Spanish Government was 10 cut
ih tbroats Of TIC whole batch OF them 1.-THE yolun
teers) it would be a good thing; l don't mean
physically bus poliucaliy. They have displayed
blood-iuirsty qualities, and have given their
Home Government "A great deal Of trouble bot" said
Mr. Fish, "he Minister OF Colonies has been sent
from spain To make Inspections; he il armed with
great power and expect to hear OF great reforms"
with reference TO tho reported additional execution Of
Santa Rosa, Mr. Fish said ha had not boon Officially ad
yised but" said he he has given great deal OF
trouble he was once before condemned 10 death as
pirate, and | am not but 10 came under
that provision. After consuming rean OF paper anu
numerous cable dispatches this Government secured his
release lie wrote a letter only few weeks ago,
saying that lie owed his life to me- thlnS nc Is great
fool II he went down there again."
Continuing The Secretary said 81 am in sympathy
with the Cuban The trouble with them Is that
they have seaport They have no means OF comnu-
noation They shut out from the rest Of thc world
aud in getting supplies OF any KIND have To smuSsle
them in through Spanish waters All those who were
executed were no Doubt in the commission OF the n-
| haya IeQu q
the CubaDs TO have kept them home doing service
where II valuable. Fighting battles In New-fork
aud Washington by the words Of titled officers viii not
victories III they had done more service In cuOa
aud less elsewhere tne cause the island might to-day
present 1attenng aspect. i would rather sea
Cuban patriots made Of sternor stuff" In reply
to inquiry, Mr.. Fish said the distance from
Havana TO Santiago do Cuba was 400 miles,
and that 1t WAS possible that the Gu
bans themselves might have cut The wires and
have prevented Geographic communication. In parting
with the Secretary he observed that as soon as he re-
ceiyed any additional official Intelligence concerning
the Nlrglnus he would at once communicate u 10 the
Press. The representative OF The Star SAID Mr.. Fish,
what PREPARATION will be demanded of the Spanish Gov
erBmentl win IL be mere apology from themi' Wen
said he, I've can't tell at this time, not having facts
before us; but YOU can rest assured the Government
will act promptly IN the premises ~ Is somewhat
similar TO the Mason and Slidel affair. The nsur
gents actually want tho Government OF the United
States to do what the Government of England did nor
dare do during the OF the Rebellion They want rs
to nj out EXPEDITIONS and land them on their
soil. This IL more than England did. True, she
fitted out one two pnvateers, but she has had
pay fifteen half million dollars for the pleasure
England never landed armed vessel on our coast
In this Vrginus matter after are Informed OF the
facts, the Government win act IL cannot act now, be-
1t does not have any basis upon which To proceed
10 md pt.l hn
the news ID presented In an Official shape
THE CAPTURED PRISONERS.
DETAILS OF THE ExFCTTIOys AT SANTIAGO DE CUBA.