The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-16
Correspondence Between The United States and
Spain on the indemnify Question.
THE PITY OF SPAIN.
Eighty Thousand Dollars 10 Be Paid in
Satisfaction Of ReclamatiOnS.
Vigorous Language of the Ameri-
can Secretary of State.


States and the Spanish government IN relation 10
the claim for indemnity from Spain for the eyecu-
zion at Santiago de Cuba OF Americans who were
on board the Virglnius. The Secretary reports
that the claim has been disposed OF by an agree.
ment entered into by Minister Cushing and the
Spanish Minister for Foreign, Affairs. The
correspondence dates as far back as No.
vember 90. 1873. giving the origin OF the
Virglnius dffculty and includes the Fish-Polo
protocol; also the report OF the naval Court OF In
quiry. convened by Secretary Robson January
3 1874, which shows the remote causes OF the loss
OF the vrginius were tho weakness OF the null,
Suting from age and neglect, and the dcteriora-
ton Of the boilers rom tine same causes. which
deterioration was not fully appreclaole when the
examination was made Of them at the Tortugas.
The Board say that the cOnducs OF the officers IN
cnarge was praise ortny and becoming 10 thor.
Ough seamen.
In July, 1874 Minister Cushing wrote TO Secre-
tary Fish, among other things:-
Ientertain confident belief rnat with a steady,
but patient persistence OF reclamation SHALL III
good time reach satisfactory solution OF most,
II not all, o. the unsettled questions growing out
Of the capture o! the FlrRinius.
Ia November, 1874, Secretary Fish communicated
70 the President the Information which came into
hts possession conhdentially, sho wing what Spain
proposed TO do TOR Great Britain. From this 1t
appears the number OF British unfortunates was
nineteen-ten white and nine coored. Five hun
dred pounds sterling were TO be given Tor each
white and $500 sterling Tor each colored person,
the whole SUM being s7,7oo sterling.
Minister Cushing on November Is informed the
Secretary OF state that the spanish government
would DO the same Tor the United States as 1t
would for Great Britain.
Secretary Fish informed Minister Cushing that
the United States would not take less secretary
lows. They are dated November 20. 1874.
INSTRUCTIONS TO MINISTER CUSHING.
In settlement OF all the crew not claimed by
heat Britain. and for whom she did not receive
American seamen. no less sum can be re.
:eived for any than thar paid England.
The captain, mate. engineers, pursers and doctor
should be allowed more. Three of the passengers
slain are Understood 10 have Deen American citi.
Gems and must be allowed for the same as the
others.
You will ask indemnity for detention and i'm.
crew and passengers who are American citizens
who were not executed. We understand the
engineers and one assistant ana four OF the pas
eengers-nineteen In all.
During the correspondence between Minister
Cushing and Minister OF State Unoa, November
~ the latter says
believe that IN these lines have fully demon.
s,rated to how high point the Spanish govern.
nent carries its conciliatory sentiments and its
cesre to MAINTAIN. with that Of presidents Grants,
reciprocal esteem.
On the soth OF December. 1874, Secretary Fish
wrote TO Minister Gushing as fouows:-
SECRETARY FISH TO MINISTER GUSHING.
esd CODY Of e eora,s noso M was en-
ON the question OF the Virgnlus in reply to your
sOmmunSa!iona ana copy OF his private ho:e.
nave read the note Of Mr.. vIloa with interest
aud careful attention. While cannot agree with
N A N and npYa
express satisfaction with its general tone and
tendency, and with ils temper and conclliatory
WITH some OF the papers which have In the past
emanated from tue officials In Spain. So far as
general correspondence OF this department with
Aumiral Polo, and OF Yourself with the Minister OF
State inlly present the views OF this government.
Further argument would amount to a repetition
In TACT, Mr.. Uloa's note Is 70 he taken as AN
answer to your communication so as to complete
tue record must, however, express my regret
that Mr. Ulloa should have deemed 1t neces-
sary, even II III difference to public feeling
In SPAN, to refer to the executions at Santiago
Us ''the strict lullment OF the laws In special
circumstances" or as called Tor by 1.-THE imperl-
erect OF he indemnity proposed by characterzing
the reparatlon as "actnated BY sentiments Of pity
consequent on q duty fulfilled and as caused By q
otners by the law could have hoped
the executions. and consideration at this
late day OF those bar1arous and cruel
tered the accomplished Minister o; State rom
the use OF any expressions, ana from allowing
himself TO be committed to any views tending TO
justify those executions. While such expressions
accompanying an orer OF settlement may not
prevent the acceptance OF the offer, this govern
ment would fan IN Its duty did 1t not signify its
dissent rom expressions tending to justify or
apologize Tor the acts, aud this NAV be
10 my ,essia@ Of Dec 1 no apPbb By
counter protest or iOint memorandum precluding
any lniei FENCES adverse to the position OF this
lpf m oA n
without considering what supposed necessity may
demand such an apparent Justification, cannot
word in u dcnunciation OF these executions, and
had she long since visited prompt and effective
punishment ON The guilty parties, the moral sup
port she would nave gained thereby would have
largely exceeded any corresponding detriment.
On tie 18th Of February, 1875. Mr.. Cushing
Wro:e to Sehor Castro, the spanish Minister Of
state, expressing his views as TO the precise sum
Of Indemnity proper to be allowed TO the United
states IN the matter OF the virginius. and In the
course OF this communication said -
MR GUSHING no SENIOR UAsrRo.
Your Exccilcucy Will observe, in reading the
note Of Mr. Unoa to Mr.. Mcdonnell or August 0,
ttat the sum paid TO Great Britain 10 this behalf
s1'aS sur. Af ss auG sos IS Your aT Xxx
desire Of concord, agreed tnas the sum allowed to
Inc united States shall ns unconditional, pro;
pose 10 tns same de:rs o. c9nG1ra, 1nas shat!
ppe FOR iuryher recia Ia the premises which
Vr0pOsa cannot DEt DC acceptable to the spanish
government. Aoreovof, the ARRANGEMENTS MAIDS
wlth Great Britain comprehehdcd another condi.
yion niea. ~ think y IS Tor sho interest botn
o. Spa!a and the uuit0i states 10 proermit; thas
70, tnc engagement or GREAT Drlta'n 10 aoconat TO
kpuin for tho distribution OF size sun IN the nTrt
Instance accorded. 10 seems 10 me that such n
Coalition MiglS cad 10 cispese, which " worid Do
pct'cr iof ouf owo RESPECTIVE governments TO pre-
vent and avoid.
After 'uduleinq IN so,ne araamons on thosc
points Mr.. Cashtug won. on 10 propose that $so,0co
" paid cy Spain TO cover MI claims OF 'ae United
stat . for pecuniary inGomnity In tia mattor, nnd
Rat TINS suu, should 10 considered Gnai and
10 intrnstsd ~ regards iss distribution TO the
discretion VI the in!tod states. said he:'-
II yOar ExeceDcy snall % pleased 10 signify
assent 10 tbexs views II VIII be my most agree.
adj duty 10 TINT painful con.