Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-11-20
T.E!''.L|I,,E!GRA MS !
EAST NIGHTS DISPATCHES
WASnINGToM.

ON special gives the position of Presi-
ient Grant on the Cuban matter as
stated at the Cabinet meeting ON Fri
day rs follows:
1t appears that the President adopt |
cd the most decided position. He In
formed Mr.. Fish that he would not,
unGer any circumstance, consent to
go TO Congress again, simply repeat
ing the promises of Spain. lie was
SICK and tired of that, and this time |
he must be able to report that Spain |
was controlling her subjects in Cuba,
and securing full and prompt obc- |
dience to DEGREES issuing from the |
home government in regard to the
lives and property of Americans, or he
would ask Congress to authorize him
to say to Spain that unless she imme-
diately compelled obedience in Cuba
to DEGREES affecting the interests OF
Americans in the Island, the United
States would at once assume the re-
sponsibility ofcaring for the interests
of her citizens, and would protect them
at all hazards. The President stated
TO the Cabinet that he had given
Spain till the 9th inst. TO enforce the
DEGREES already sent. lie had also
prepared two paragraphs for his mos
sage, one in case Spain succeeded in
enforcing her decroes, and one in case
she found it impossible to obtain obe-
dicncc. The latter would be accom-
panied with an earnest appeal to Con-
grcss to act promptly and most de-
cidedly, but he must have a clear and
unambiguous answer from Spain be-
fore he closed his message.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE Pres
ident to-day, in conversation relative
to the Cuban matter, said the Govern
ment had thus far acted on such facts
as had reached it, and is now engaged
in collecting from all available sources
further information concerning the
capture of the Nirginius, and the par
ticulars relating to the revolving exc
cutions. lie said il was desirable that
all information should be of such a
character as to leave no doubt what
ever as to its reliability. The propri-
ETY. of this course is too evident to re-
quire explanation, the Government be-
ing careful in what it is doing. and
may do to work upon facts, and not
upon assumptions and unconrmed
reports. He said il was essential that
we should be prepared to maintain
our position. The President said he
had changed none Of The views here
tofore expressed by him concerning
events in Cuba, but had more than
ever been confirmed in them by the
recent occurrences. lie shared with
the public their dcnunciation of the
capture on the high seas of vessels
sailing with regular clearance, under
the United States flag, and the start
ling events which so quickly followed.
Spain never having considered the
island of Cuba in state OF war,
and there being no proclama-
ton by the United States according
belligcrent rights to the insurgents, the
Virginius, if regularly cleared for
Cuba, had a right to enter Havana, or
any other open port of the Spanish
possessions. This Government did
not recognize any right on the part of
Spain, in the present state of affairs, to
interfere in any manner with our mcr-
chants ships upon the seas, except the
usual right in her own ports and with
in one marine league of the coast of
Cuba or her dominions, and of this
fact she is aware.
AS a matter of course it is the deter
mination Of this Government to pro-
tect our citizens in all their rights, and
compel respect to the flag. The pres
ent naval preparations were with this
view, not to initiate war by the Presi-
dent, that power being vested in Con-
gress, but to be prepared for all posi-
Bile contingencies, Upon the meeting
of Congress all the facts in possession
of the executive department, relative
to the Cuban affairs, would be laid be-
fore that body, with such recommen-
dations as the occasion might demand
Tomorrow he said he would com
n,cncc the preparation Of his message,
but would defer that part relative to
Cuban affairs until within day or two
of the meeting of Congress, desiring
first to obtain all possible information
upon the subject.
New YORK, Nov. ia special
from Washington says: The position
taken by our government in regard to
the matter, Units dispatches to Madrid,
is that since the Virginius carried
American papers, altogether under the
American flag, it was an act of grave
discourtesy, if not a positive insult, to
try all on board and proceed with the
execution in such summary manner,
not only without any notice to the
United States, but by SO controlling
telegraph lines that no orders prevent
ing executions could be received. 1t
is believered here that the United
States has demanded that this govern
ment shall be made party to further
trial of prisoners still unexecuted, and
to the passing upon the status of the
Virginius, and that we further insist
that the conduct of those ordering ex-
ecutions shall be Immediately investi-
gated by the Spanish Government.
In regard to the failure to execute
DEGREES from Spain for the release of
American estates in Cuba, Secretary
Fish informed Admiral Polo, Spanish
Minister here, that Spain must give
assurances that these DEGREES arc
obeyed by Thursday, the 9th. Polo
asked if the United States would not
wait for an answer until the Saturday
following, and the Secretary said "INo,"
That the President intended to have
his message finished by Thanksgiving
day, ready to submit to the Cabinet on
Friday, which is the day for the last
regular meeting before Congress as
sembled. Polo was further informed
that the President was anxious 10 be
able to say to Congress that Spain had
really acted in the matter, instead of
merely promising, and that in the case
she did not act, he should recommend
that the United States hereafter as
sumo the entire protection of the
lives and property Of its own citizens
in Cuba.
1t has been decided to send q large
fleet to the Gulf. Orflers for double
gangs, night and day, are understood
to have been issued 70 all the navy
Yards nnnnnnl In Ito Gttinnr out &C