The New York herald., 1873-11-11
AsHINc1oN
An Official Exposition Of American
Policy Toward Spain.
INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY FISH.
ForeshadowingS Of Diplomatic DoingS
in the Case Of the Virginius.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 10, 1873.
MIR. Hamilton Fish, Secretary OF State,
for Cuba, with Wefghty Reservations.
Mr. Caleb Cushing called at the State Depart
ment to-day ana had an interview with the Secre-
tary OF State, presumably on the question of our
relations with Spain, aud your correspondent also
enjoyed that honor at q later period. Mr.. Fish
| scemed to anticipate the object OF nay visit and
was In one of his most pleasant moods.
In reply to an nterrogatory as to whether he had
any additional intelligence from the Island OF
| Cuba with reference to the particular subject
which prompted the call, he said,
'Yes; l received despatch last night from
Sickles." Putting his hand in his pocket and
drawing 1t outl "He says,
II have just left CASTELAR,. The Captain General
has been sent peremptory despatch by cable to
stay all proceedings with regard to the other
captives. The authorities at Madrid have been
| appriscd OF the execution OF the captives. am
| to have an interview at noon to-day with the
Ministry In regard to the matter"
As to what course this government will pursue
in the matter, Mr.. Fish said
"You see 1t is complicated case. The virginius
may have been first sighted In Spanish waters and
been chased to the high seas. II so this forms one
! view OF the case. Then again she may have been
chased near the coast OF Jamaica. This forms
another view; and really she may have been
chased almost on to the Island OF Jamaica,
| which would turn the matter over to the
English authorities, it being In English waters
This government cannot afford to take steps in the
matter until the full facts are officially presented
| it When they are presented you may rest as.
| sured it will act with the utmost diligence and
| celerity.n
| Mr. Fish was then asked why Mr.. Yonng, the
| Consul to Santiago de Cuba. was not at his post
| OF duty, and In reply it was stated that
! che was absent nom his Consulate with
| ont leave and should have been there"
Mr. Fish then reverted to the authorities at Madrid
government were good men; in fact. he knew
them to be good republicans. "Spain," said he,
''has made great many concessions upon the
request of this government and he was satisfied
they would make due reparation for the virginius'
capture II 1t was demanded. You see,n said he,
Spain is sensitive Its rulers do not like to
be told they must do thus and 80 upon the
demands OF this government They must be
handled delcately. They are stubborn enough
| to resent an absolute demand, but will
readily comply with request. This, no
doubt, is polite on their part, as they have two
revolutions on their hands-about all that they can
/ take care or The trouble the United States has
| had to contend with does not originate with the
Madrid government. 1t is the volunteers on the
island OF Cuba, who are bloodthirsty and relent-
less, unforgiving set. II the Spanish government
would only cut their throats it would be good
thing for Spain Il mean politically, not physically.
l have hopes that they are to be subdued, as l
have received intelligence that the Minister
OF the Colonies, an able man, armed with great
power is now en- route to make an inspection OF
the real condition OF affairs on the island OF Cuba
am satisfied his inspection will have q salutary
erect, and that in fortnight will be advised
that check has been placed upon their lie-sacri-
hcing propensities. One thing the United States
government thus far has accomplished is that
there will be no more executions. OF course we
cannot bring back life, but one thing, you may
rest assured has been accomplished, and that
is that no more executions will take
place. Tread in the papers that Santa Rosa has
been executed. have received no offical intelli-
gence confirming the same, but am inclined to
believe 1t. He has given me great deal OF trouble.
He was once before condemned to death as
that provision. After consuming a ream-I do not
exaggerate when say q ream-oi paper and nu-
merous cable dispatches, this government secured
his release. He wrote me a letter only few
weeks age, saying that he owed his life to me.
think he is great fool If he went down there
again."
Mr.. Fish then spoke OF the condition OF AFFAIRS
concerning the Cubans, first stating that he knew
that the Spanish government did not sanction the
spirit which prompted the Spanish volunteers to
speedily execute the virginius' captives. SAID
he:-
at was a cold-blooded murder, and no one OF
sound Judgment pretends to apologize for the
butchery." "But,n said he, "the Cubans themselves
are misguided set. They have had presumed
patriots running loose in New York and wash
ington Cities who. had they been made OF sterner
mettle, would have been fighting battles on the
island, instead OF manufacturing useless and
pseudo enthusiasm in those cities. No one denies
that Ryan and his covrsres were in the commission
OF the Cubans. II an American is willing to enter
the service OF foreign power, he does it at his
own risk, and has no right at every turn which