The record-union., 1898-07-10

Spanish Government that there were
grave doubts whether the Virginius
was entitled to the character given her
by her papers, and that therefore it
might be proper for the United States,
after the surrender of the vessel and the
survivors to dispense with the salute
to the flag, should such facts be estab-
lished to their satisfaction. This seemed
TO be reasonable and just, / therefore
assented to it on the assurance that
Spain would then declare that no in
suit to the flag OF the United States had
been intended. Spain undertook to pro-
ceed against those who had offended the
sovereignty of the United States, and
who had violated their treaty rights"
Under this agreement the Virginius.
with the American flag flying. was de-
livered to the steamer Dispatch of the
United States navy at Bahia Honda,
/ Cuba, on November 10th, against the
violent protests of the volunteers. They
had declared that the vessel would new
er be surrendered. but when the time
came they made no demonstration. The
vessel was in an unseaworthy condi-
ton, and in the passage to New York
she encountered~ a storm. At the risk
Of their lives the crew attempted to
keep her afioat, but their efforts were
unavailing and she sank off Cape Fear.
The surviving prisoners were surren-
dered at Santiago de Cuba on the 18th
and reached New York in safety In
the annual message Of December /,
1873, the President said:
The embargoing of American estates
in Cuba; cruelty to American citizens
who have been detected in no act Of
hostility to the Spanish Government;
the numbering Of prisoners taken with
out arms in their hands; and finally,
the capture upon the high seas OF a yes
sci sailing under the United States flag.
and having United States registry, has
eliminated in an outburst of indigna-
tion that has seemed for a time to
threaten war. Pending negotiations be-
tween the United States and the Gov
ernment of Spain on the subject of this
capture, have authorized the Secre-
tary of the Navy to put our navy on a.
war footing 10 the extent at least Of
the entire annual appropriation OF that
branch of the service, trusting TO Con-
gress and the public opinion of the
American people to justify my action"
And again in the message of Decem-
Der l. 1874, the relations with Spain
were referred to in this language:
The deplorable strife in Cuba con-
tinues without any marked change i'm
the relative advantages of the contend
ing forces. The insurrection continues
but Spain has gained no superiority Six
years Of strife give the insurrection a
significance which cannot be ignored
It's duration and the tenacity of its ad-
herents, together with the absence Of
manifested power in suppression on the
part of Spain, cannot be controverted
ana may make some positive steps on
the part of other powers a matter OF
self necessity. I had confidently hoped
at this time to be able to announce the
arrangement of some of the important
questions between this Government and
that Of Spain; but the negotiations have
been protracted. The unhappy inter-
nal dissensions of Spain command our
profound sympathy, and must be ac-
cepted as perhaps a cause of this de-
lay. An early settlement, in part at
least of the questions between the Gov
ernmentS is hoped. In the meantime
awaiting the results of Immediately
pending negotiations, I defer a further
and fuller communication on the suo-
ject of the relations of this country with
Spain" WINFIELD ]. DAVIS