The Eddy current., 1898-04-30


were wounded but stlll ailve--lnto the
shallow trench. Then came the crown
Ing barbarity. A company OF ar1liery,
tili now kept IN reserve. galloped for
ward and crushed with its inhuman
juggernaut OF hoofs and wheels the dy-
ing, dead and wounded into one indls-
tingulahable mass. The bodies we're
subsequently tumbled into mule cars
by chain gang OF negroes and carried
10 the place Of burial. II had been the
intention OF Gov. Burricl TO repeat this
mode Of butchery tlli the entire crew
Of the Virginius had been massacred,
but on Nov. 8. few hours before tho
time for a third slaughter. a British
warahip, the Niobe. appeared in the
harbor and her captain promptly in
formed the governor that he would toll
crate no further bloodshed until tho
matter had been referred 20 the homo
authorities. In consequence the re-
malnder OF the captiyes we're saved
from death. Their rescue was. howev-
er, the act Of an individual English
man. or Irlshman, rather. Commander
Ryan. When Ryan returned to Eng
land he was dismissed from her majes-
ty'a service I'm disgrace" Yet his
name will be remembered forever IN
the hearts OF all who have read OF his
humane act.
The insurgents In Cuba we're fight
Ing for their independence The ma
tives were making a silent and pathetic
bid for the protection OF the American
flag. and the technical misunderstood.
INK which arose ont OF the Vlrglnlus
fostcred q hope that IN the event ot
trouble between Spain and tho United
States the immediate expulsion Of the
spanlards from Cuba would onsue. Tho
universal excitement In the United
states az the conduct OF the Spanish In
Cuba for time appeared to make a
war between Spain and the United
States inevitable
The United States maintained that
the capture OF the Virglnlus was a
derogation Of is sovereignty. assum-
(The Spanish Onioer Who Ordered the
Murder OF the Nirglnlus PrlsonorsJ
ing simultaneously that the vessel was
y United States merchant ship lawfully
floating the American flag. The Span
ish, however. maintained that the ship
was manned with pirates who were
also their rebcllious subjects, and that
the claim TO the protection OF the
American flag was fraudulent Com
plications thlckenod, and long course
OF diplomatic correspondence ensucd.
The United States demanded that the
Nirglnlus be surrendered; that the sur
yivOrR be delivered safely 20 them. and
that the vessel be- saluted as a rlghtful
American ship. However. II was
agreed that the salute should be dis
pensed with II before the 25th OF De-
cember Spain could satisfy the United
States that the Vlrglnius had no right
To carry the flag. Tho Spanish ultl-
mately succeeded In convincing tho
Americans that the claim OF the Vir-
ginluB 20 the nag was unlawful. and
the salute was consequently dispensed
| with. However the other demands
were duly complied with. and dis,
| claimer Of an intent OF indlgnity to the
flag OF the United States was expressed
by the Spanish minister on behalf ol
hAu NANflHHlfNAt I nus NIltI "a nfN'
tracted and complicated network OF
diplomatic negotiations, peaceabls
settlement OF the difficulty was effected
Thus the loss Of many lives through
the clash OF war was poacoably averted
though no apology, however abject
could bring 10 life the innocent mar
/ tyrs 20 the cruelty Of Spanish murder.
ers.
II may be- reasoned, possibly. that
! according 20 international law. Spain
was technically right In the Virglnlu,
| afair; but there can be no posslbl,
| palliation for the horrible barbarity oi
/ tho murder Of the unfortunate prison,
ers captured with the vessel. not on,
! OF whom would have been spared but
| for the Opportune arrival OF the British
man-of-war. whose captain promptly
/ and courageously put q stop 10 IN,
brutal and lnhuman proceedings. Their,
Is no more revolving chapter In the his,
tory OF nations; indeed. one might gc
into the annals Of the barbarous age,