Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-11-21
THE vY1Gs.ryrs s.uBROGLsO.

been previously shot. THE receipt Of this
news added materially TO the excitement in
New York, Washington, and other large
cities, and public sentiment evidently de-
mands that our government shall take
prompt and decisive action in the matter.
There is a question of international law
involved in the seizure which cannot be
decided until all the facts in the case are
fully and officially known to our govern
ment. The Nirginius undoubtedly bore
the Anne rcan flag and was regularly clear
ed from an American port, and the ques-
ton is whether the circumstances OF the
seizure were such rs to constitute breach
of international law which the United
States can legally complain of. But, how
ever this may be, there is no question as TO
the barbarty and inhumanity of the exc
utions, and this feature of the case at
least, calls for prompt and fffectual action.
The executions took place in the most sum-
mary manner and with hardly show of
fair trial. As soon as the Spanish home
government learned. or the seizure, and of
the execution of the four principal officers,
orders were telegraphed that II" more exc
cutions take place, bu! there is reason TO
believe that the telegraph wires were cut
by the authorities in Cuba, so that they
might proceed unmolested with their cold
blooded butchery, and this order was,
therefore, probably not received. This in
cident, undoubtedly, well illustrates the
reckless aud inhuman character of the
whole proceedings.
The question with our government is
whether the rights of any American citizen
have been invaded by a foreign power. II
is undoubtedly called upon to protest a.
gainst the summary punishment of men
who have never committed any overt act Of
treason against the Spanish government,
and if ii appears that any man has been
wro nGiully dealt with, 10 demand the full
est reparation possible. What the repard-
ton shall be or what we shall do. in case
Spain is unable or unwilling to grant it,
remains TO be seen. Much depends upon
the facts of the capture and executions
which have not yet been made clear, and
much also will depend upon the spirit of
the Spanish government. IL it proves to
he rightly disposed, our government will
be as considerable as is consistent with JUS
tice, for the reason that the victims were
probably engaged in an enterprise not APP
proved by our government and hostile to
that of Spain, ard also because Spain could
not, in reality, have prevented the barbar-
lilies AT Santiago. Still, Spain, either alone
or in conjunction with the United States,
must rectify matters in Cuba. That the
Administration Is firm in the matter and
will act in spirit fully up TO the temper of
the people, there is no doubt. The greatest
activity prevails at all the navy yards and
all our war vessels are rapidly being got
ready for an emergency. The president is
reported TO have spoken as follows in con-
versation on the matter:--
This government, he said, had thus far
acted on such facts as had reached ii, and
was now engaged in collecting from all
available sources further Information con-
corning the capture of the Virginius and
the particulars attending the revolving ex-
ecutions which followed that event. 1t was
desirable that all the information should be
of such character as would leave no doubt
whatever as TO its reliability. The proprie-
ty of this course was too evident to require
explanation. The government had been
careful in what 1t is doing, and what it may
hereafter do to act on the facts, and not up
on assumptions and uncontirmed reports.
1t was essential that we should be prepar-
ed to maintain our position. He shared
with the public their denunciation of the
capture on the high seas of a vessel sailing
with regular clearance under the United
States flag, and the startling events which
so quickly followed. II was the determin-
alton of this government to protect her cit
liens in all their rights, and to compel re-
spect to our flag. The present naval prep
arations were with this view, not TO initiate
war by the president, INT to. be prepared
for all possible contingencies. Congress
would meet in two weeks, when all the in
formation in the possession of the eXecu-
tive department relative to Cuban affairs
wonld be laid before that body, with such
recommendation as the occasion might de-
mand.
The venerable ex-presdent Woolsey of
Yale College, who is very high authority
on international law, says Spain violated
no international Law in capturing the Vir-
ginius, and that we have no ground for de-
ligerent rights of the rebels in Cuba. A
state Of belligerency may he recognized at
any time, but that has nothing TO do with
this case. lie says that we have not the
slightest ground for war or complaint, the
facts being as published, except as TO the
inhumanity of the affair. As to that all
nations have the right of protest. If Spain
admits its inability to control its colony,
there will be time to take such a contingent
cy into consultation. or course war can
be declared only by Congress.
int ,f..Ii.