The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-01-06


existed as to the right of the
Virginius to carry the American flag.
Fish telegraphed to Sickles that the course of
of the Spanish Government was accepted as
evidence of the willingness to administer
Justice. The condemnation of the act should
be followed by punishment. Sickles was
instructed TO say to the Spanish Govern
ment that this government feared Spain
could not control the insurrection of the
Casino Espanol in Cuba. Sickles, on Nov.
u, states that he had an interview with
President Castelar,, who said that such scan
dals must cease. That:interrogatoreis mad
been addressed to the Captain General. and
that soon as replied TO General Sicl<les
would receive the communication. The
Minister of State informed him of the exc
cution of the prisoners, the orders from
Madrid arFiVing too late TO prevent it, but
the slaughter had ceased. The discussion
between Sickles and the minister is given.
Orders will-be issued to assure the United
States citizens of the protection of the tri-
bunal. General Sickles urged speedy solu
ton of the difficulty. Secretary Fish tele-
graphed him November Il:
"Your telegram announcing the adjourn
ment of the conference is received. Unless
reparations have been voluntarily rendered,
you will demand the restoration OF the Nir-
ginius and the release and delivery to us Of
the persons captured on her, who have not
already been massacred, and that the flag of
Santiago, aud signal punishment of the Off
cials who were concerned in the capture of
the vessel and the execution of the passen.
gers and crew. In case of refusal of sat
isfactory reparation within twelve days
from this date, you will, on
the expiration Of that time,
CLOSE YOUR LEGATION,
"And will together with your Secretary
leave Madrid, bringing with you the archives
of your legation. You may leave the printed
documents which constitute the library in
charge of the legation of some friendly power
your reception of this by telegraphing to me
in plain, the word "New jersey"
ISiInedl FISH.
The same day protests were made to the
Spanish Government against the summary
executions, and on the 18th, Minister Sick
les telegraphed Mr.. Fish that he had made
the demand by note to- day at three o'clock
in the morning and on the same day tele-
graphed:
Received an i'll tempered note to-day
from the Minister of State rejs citing the pro-
iect, and saying that Spain would neverthe-
less consider and decide the question ac-
cording to law and her dignity"
Fish telegrsphed to Sickles, November Is,
reporting fifty-seven more executions, and
saying if Spain can not redress these out
RACES the United States will. These instruc-
tions to Minister Sickles were to be used
cautiously and discreetly. Sickles, on No
vember l6, sends copy of the note to Car.
vaial demanding reparation, and a copy of
the latter 's-reply, and also Sickles' reioinder.
Sickles alludes to the abusive attitude of the
Madrid press. Sickles Ielegraphs to Fish,
November 10:
"Mr. Layard informs me that he has re-
ceived instructions from his government
concerning seventeen British subjects
among the crew of the Virginius ex-
ecuted. and seven more under sentence of
death; the latter all minors. Of the seven
teen executed six were executed immedi-
ately on the arrival of the Virginius in port.
A British frigate is ordered to Santiago"
Mr.. Sickles, on November Is, transmits
copy of the reply of the Minister of State to
his note of November 16, respecting the re-
ports from Havana. Mr.. Sickles regards il
as a refusal, and proposed to close the lega-
ton unless otherwise ordered, and on the
18th asks Mr.. Fish that a vessel may be
ordered to Valencia to take him to France.
Next day Mr.. Sickles transmitted copy OF
Carvajal's reply, rejecting the protest on the
10th. He informed Mr.. Fish that he is
waiting instructions, and said:
''The tone, temper and substance o;
the written communication made me
by the Minister of State are diff
ferent from the apparent purport of the
telegram sent TO the Spanish Minister in
Washington, and communicates to YOU the
refusal to say word about the merits of the
case. In reply to the demand he repelled it
as arbitrary and humiliating, and On the
same day different professions were sent to
you. Carvajal's notes to me are exhibited
here as showing the real position of the
government. They are offensive in
If we hesitate, it will be asserted
and believed In Cuba and Spain that
we pause before the defiant attitude as
sume3 by this government and people, This
view will be supported by official and formal
declarations. Thiscabinet, in reply To the
Communication L have made To it, in obedi-
ence TO your Instructions, misaPprehending
our farbearance, would abuse any success
obtained by 1uplicity and delay, and show
itself more than ever arrogant and regard
less of our rights. On the other hand
Washington will appear TO corroborate the
intiniation made here in high quarters, and
generally believed, that my action in the
matter of the Virginius has not
been in conformity with the instructions
/ have received, and that am not approved
! by my government. have the best reasops
for the opinion that my prompt Withdrawal
| from Madrid, in default of the reparation the
| President directed me TO demand, will con-
vince Spain that we are in earnest, and she
will yield to our terms, and peace may he
honorably preserved. Tho fact that Spain
holds one attitude here, and another in
Washington, on the same day, would seem
to impeach her sincerity. This dissimn
lation is, / am sure, dne to the
fear of diplomatic rupture, or
something worse. This cabinet have
already obtained all the information they
will get from Cuba about this transaction.
The Italian government bas kindly consent
ed to allow Count Mafh, Charge ID Affairs OF
Italy in Madrid, TO take care of the Ameri-
can interests and accept the custody of the
library and property of this legation on ap-
plicatiOn being made by your authority
through the Minister. / hope you
will make request and the courtesy may
be ackno wledged. SIcKLEs.
lThe correspondence continues at great
length, but has been fully covered hitherto
by dispatches which have already appeared
in this paper.-Ed. Sentirel.l
"King LunfIilo on the 14th of November
MA