The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-15
THE vIRGINrUs AFFAIR.


New YORK Worid.
This is not the first time the relations
between the United States and Spain have
been severely strained on account Of Cuba .
desire for independence. Twen;y-threc
years ago the two countries became In
volved In . serious dispute that cAused
much war talk and the exchange Of many
forcible messages between Washington
City and Madrid. In the end Spain backed
down.
The steamer virKinius was fitted out at
New York In 1873 for the relief OF the Gu.
bans In the previous rebellion. She left
October s with q crew OF sixty-three and
los passengers, Including many weil-known
members CT the Revolutionary party. She
carried also 1900 Remington rifles. mi
trsilleuse and a large supply Of asnmuni-
ton and provisions. Her commander was
Capt Joseph Fry. an Annapolis graduate
and an ex.Confedersfe offiser.
The virg.nius reached Kingston. Jamaica,
October -, and then spent some time In
Hayt.en waters. On the Goth she started
for Cub. and almost reached her destina-
ton when she was sighted by the Spanish
corvette Tornado.
There was hot clfsse of nine hours.
Tho virg.n.us had turned back towards the
jamaican coast, The feed-pnmr Of tho
Tornado's boilers broke down. hut the crew
set TO work dipping water from the sea.
Night closed In on the chase. but full
moon revealed tho black smoke pouring
from tine virginius' stacks. for the insur-
gents were plling their fires high with ev-
srythine combnssible on board.
Gradually the corvette gained and a blank
shot was fired ms signal for the v.rr'nius
to stop. Tho virginius was only twenty
miles from British waters, Arms. ammu-
milton, horses. were thrown overheard. hut
the corvette steadily gained on her. Three
shells whistled over the heads nf the In
surgenis. ard. seeing the imposahilsty Of
escape. Capt. Fry stopped between Cabo
Cruz and Santiago. A Spanish crew was
put aboard and she was taken to SsntiaFo
Spanish revenge was summary. On Mo-
vember Gen. W. A. c. Ryan. Bernabe
varonn. Pedro Cespedes and Jesus del Eel.
leaders OF the expedition. were condemned
as pirates and shot Three days later Capt.
Fry and thirty-six OF The crew were shot.
and seventy passengers met the same fate.
when the news reached the United
States Indignation meetings were held all
over the country TIE cabinet Was called
together by President Grant. ara orders
from Washington city set the men IN the
navy yards working night and cay.
The feeling was almost a. intense anion9
abe people OF Spain. In Madrid there wero
demonstrations against Gen. Dan siekles.
quickly pat down by the government.
demand was promptly sent 10 Spain
for the release OF the yireinius and OF those
of her men stiil alive. and for Indemnify TO
the families OF the Americans shot.
Spain daiiied, and preparations for war
began. Excitement grew more intenee
daily.
Spain asked more time. She claimed At
arst that she had only followed the prece-
drr, sci by the United States during the
civil war in declaring all pfirsssers pirates.
Then she wanted TO be convinced thar the
yirriniux was an American vessel. That
doubt was quickly settled. hnd WILMINGTON
Cry strongly limited that decision must
be reached quickly.
Eurorean nations were eagerly Watching.
nd secret negotiations were set on foot.
The United States government put every
available war vessel into commission. ara
a.. r.,jenee was Jus, about exhausted when
snsIn reluctantly agreed TO the American
ssenands. The virginius was released ana
survivors we're set. at liberty December ~.
A Irotsed States vessel was sent 70 convoy
her 10 New York. ard great preparations
w.re made for the reception hrre- But
ubsie on the coast of North Carolina ths
yi-r,uius ran upon rock ara SANK SOME
messengers went down win hes. but .ne
s,rv,vors were given q magnificent recep-
ton here. $500.
iris is q fuii list OF the American mem
hers OF the crew murdered by Inc SPANS"
ofy;ci.ls on that occasion.
CAPTAIN. Joseph Fry. iirkt mate. Whham
x,arrara second mate. James Flood. j. ~
u,r-is. John Rose. n. y. csafnssrisin.
yveI,sam Kose Ienaeso Duf1as. Antonio
rsiaya' lanes Read. Henry Frank. James
as.s,ei George Thompson. Henry Bono.
Iohn stewart. A. Arci, Leopold Isrose.
S,,y,ar, Broyeur. Thomas " wnlafns. Ezs-
80, human. George Thomas. W. j. fnes'
A,s,es Ha,seii. John Brown. Samuel Safo.
$3.50 Hrrra;e. Paul Kaunsrsf. FRANK
go Thomas crigg r. Aifsro, =. Sosyi'
snn John Williamson. J. >. TrsJiiscs 70
w.ra pay, Eusehlo Gsrizs. HAn'oa Latte
,rsrst ara Jose Manuel Tefsan.
a. re cubans executed. Col. Augustus
csr,. j,oss. although citizen o. sas
rrng,eA States by Naturalization. was
tea r4yosuficriss. and had haa mary en-
s...sse,x Nth the Spanish oTIcials- Eum''
- o,e.aaa. a younger brother o. Gen
xtsrus, uuesada. yaf only y years oid'
cns Iaa1 Aguerro. Lieut. Col knriaos
Sss,siianos and the brothers Tfuj'ilo were
.,scn~ The others who had seen active serv'
zee In Cuba
Ivy ard was a familiar ngnre IN New
yark and Washington City. He Rad eeef
.<la,er editor and miner. For many Year.
~ mad beea ldsaiined with the Cucar