The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-01-02
The Spanish Complication.

Inc spanish COmpilcatlOns
The Washington National Republi |
can of Tuesday contains the following
article upon the status of the Spanish
affair, which is based upon information
furnished from the State Department:
The policy of the Government regar
ding our relations with Spain will soon
assume such distinctive and positive
form as 10 prevent the possibility of a
recurrence of the Virginius affair
Propositions will soon be submitted to
Spain of such character as to insure
in the event of acceptance peaee and
quiet upon the Island of Cuba, either
through a compromise between the in
surgents and the Madrid Government,
or some equally effectual method. 1t is
sufficient to add in this connection that
the Government does not seek the an
nexation of the island, and that ii viii
Be satisfied with any arrangement which
will free the United States from constant
possibility of recurrence of the many
unpleasant controversies which have oc-
Cured since the insurection began.
No advice of any character have been
received regarding the alledged iaten-
ton Of the Spanish Government 10 de-
mand the return of the Virginius and
reparation for damages. The tele grams
from Madrid in which these allega lions
are embraced are pronounced to be with
out foundation While it is known that
strong feeling very naturally exists IN
Spain against the submission by Ctstel-
lar to the requirements of the Polc-Fish
protocol. 1t is also known th:tt the
Spanish authorities will patiently await
the arrival of new Minister fronl the
United States before attempting, if they
intend to attempt, to reopen the contro-
versy. 1t is not expected however, that,
under any circumstances, a demand for
the return of the Virginius will be made.
In the protocol the provision for the ad-
judication of her case is definitely made,
and as Spain agreed without reservation
to this provision, the United States will
hold her strictly to the agreement; but
if such demand should be made it will
be instantly rejected. The proceedings
of the Spanish Admiralty Court held at
Havana, which resulted in the condem-
nation of the Virginius as naval prize
or capture by the Spanish navy, have
been superseded by the higher au-
thority of the protocol, and will there
fore be ignored in the future cons:dera-
tion of the question. When Mr.. Cush-
ing arrives at Madrid in the capacity of
a regular accredited Minister from this
Government, it is probable that the
Spanish Government may open ncgotia-
tions for the purpose of making treaty
between the two, Governments, the pro-
visions of which shall more positively
define the authority of either Power to
ascertain the character of the vess,l sus-
pected to be engaged in illegal or fillibus-
tering expeditions. 1t is believed that
Spain is ready to accord to us perma-
nently the right which has been conce-
ded in the Virginius case. to determine
in our own way any question arising
from actual or alleged violations of
our registry laws, and to punish, in our
own way, such persons as may be found
to have fraudulently carried the Aneri-
can flag at the masthead of any vessel
during any voyage or expedition against
the peace and authority of friendly
| Nation.
The main point to be settled bf the
proposed treaty is the treatment G.. pun
ishnient which shall be accorded 10 per-
sons who may be captured in fillibdster-
ing acts, as the members of the crew al
the Virginius were. The laws OF pain
now provide that they may he treated
piracy to be the commission of :sets OF
robbery or murder upon the high seas
1t is evident, therefore, that the laws OF
Spain are at variance with established
international law, and that while - YES
sci such as the Virginfas may be intent
upon an unfriendly act toward SPAN OF
any other treaty making power; sh. can
not be adiudged as pirate, first, be :ause
her mission is unfriendly to one 'owe,
alone; second, because her mission is moi
one of m riar or robbery upon the high
seas. 1t will be seen that the questions
here presented will, when discussed
with a view to the negotiations of q
treaty, invole the consideration of the
traditional policy of the United States
against the right of search. Spain will
! probably insist that, without the I,rivil
ege on their part to exercise that right
it is possible that fillibustering expedi.
tions may sail from ports of the United
States, to her great disadvantage and
injury. The United States Will mantain
that unless the belligerent condition ex.
lists by the recognition of the Spanish gov
ernment, no authority to interfere with
the sailing of vessels carrying the Amer.
lean flag can possibly be recognized, and
that when such recognition of belliger.
ency does exist, if the right of search il
exercised, it must be at the risk OF
grave consequences by the Government
which exercises it,
|
The London. Fog.
Correspondence New York Times
LONDON, Saturday, December Is, 1878
This has been week of fog-the denses