The record-union., 1898-07-10
THE VlRGINIuS OUTRAGE.
HISTORY OF THE BRUTAL MUIR
DER OF AMERICANS.
One Of the Causes Which Led to
the Present War With
Spain.

stirred up a deep resentment IN the
United States against the Spanish au-
thorities in Cuba, and had it not been
for the prompt and positive disclaimer
by the then existing republican govern
ment of Spain, and it's enfeebled condi-
ton, war would have been declared, not
alone by the United States but by
Great Britain in retaliation for one of
long series of outrages for which the
Spaniards alone of all civilized people
seem to have been capable of commit
ting. 1t was the old story Of indiscrim-
mate massacre, after the most informal
trial-summary executions without the
opportunity of explanation, or of inter-
vention by the Governments of which
many of the victims were subjects.
Cuba had been in revolt since 1868,
and a republican form Of Government
had been organized Cespedes had pro-
claimed himself Captain General in the
Eastern Department, while the other
departments were separately organized
and officered Later on Cespedes was
elected President, and Manuel Quesada
Commander in Chief. Troops had been
sent out from Madrid which, in addi-
ton to some 10000 volunteers that
Cities comprised the fighting forces Of
Spain. The volunteers had been raised
from Spanish immigrants, and between
them and the native Cubans there had
always existed a bitter enmity. The
bloody and cruel war had progressed
during the intervening years with
varied successes to both sides; it was
characterized with unmitigated brutal
ity of which neither party was guiltless
The insurrection in 1868 in Cuba had
Immediately followed the revolution in
Spain-it had in view the independence
Of the island and the abolition Of slay-
cry. The republican government Of
Spain did not countenance the move
ment in Cuba, but sent an armed force
out to resist it. In 1870 the United
States Government rendered it's good
offices in behalf Of peace, and proposed
the sale of the island to the Cubans.
put Spain declined the proposition. 1t
Is stated that Spain sent no less than
lOO,OOO soldiers to Cuba to suppress the
lnsurrectfon, and that the cost to Spain
and Cuba up to 1878 was S7OO O0O. 600
At the ending Spain guaranteed par
oon ana restoration of confiscated es-
tates to submissive rebels, and granted
representation in the Cortes by Cuban
Deputies. The disposition of the home
republican government had been for
peace, and an appeal had been made to
the Cuban insurgents to abandon their
war for independence and unite their
efforts with the Spanish republic for the
establishment of republican institu-
tlons both in Spain and in the colonies
n hn
not accept the proposition; they de-
clareo that they would concede to moth
ing snort OF the absolute independence
OF the island. The Spanish party in
Cuba, and particularly the volunteers.
were intensely monarchical in their SEN
timents, and would not cooperate with
the new government of Spain to concil-
late the insurgents-nor would they
within reason respect the authority Of
the republic.
Practically Cuba was independent. go
far as its local Spanish Government
was concerned. The little Of submis
sion that was accorded to the home
authority was manifestly reluctant:
there was no concealment of a predilec-
tlon for monarchy and of an ardent
desire to see it soon restored in Spain.
The situation Of affairs in SSain was
critical-she had troubles enough at
home without the added burden of the
prosecution Of a war in har PRINCIPAL
colony. For five years the insurrection
had been in progress; the inha abitants of
the interior of the island had declared
themselves free from control by the
mother country, proclaimed the eman-
clpation Of the slaves, and organized an
army for self defense. During those five
years they had fought with commenda-
bic courage and against great odds.
without the acknowledgment of bel
hgerent rights by any Government, they
had maintained themselves almost ex-
clusively through their own patriotism
and with their own resources. When de-
feated on the field and captured they
had, with but few exceptions, been
treated with indescribable cruelty.
In the meantime Spain had several
times changed it's form of government
The misdeeds Of Queen Isabella's ad
ministration and her personal miscon-
duct had created general dissatisfac-
ton, and had led to numerous reyoIts
at home. Her army was defeated at
Alcolea September 2S, 1868. and she
was forced to flee from Madrid and be-
came refugee in France. A proyis
ional government was established and
General Prim came into control. Dur
ing 1869 several instructions against
the new government were suppressed
with much bloodshed and at great cost
The Cortes voted against a republic and
for regency, which was established
June 10, 1869, with General Serrano at
it's head
The choice of a King aroused violent
discussions, and in July, 1870. the nro-
visional Government proposed to the
Cortes the election of Prince Leopold az
-Sigmaringen Louis Ma
poleon of France objected to the Ger
man Prince, and regarded it as an ag-
gresslVe movement on the part of Ger
many; he declared war on that coun-
try. The Emperor William annihilated
the French army, drove Napoleon to
England, and conquered France. In
the latter country the Theirs Republic
was substituted for the Empire.
The throne of Spain was next ten
dered to an Italian Prince. Amadeus
Duke Of Aosta, and the second son Of
King Victor Emanuel, and on Decem-
ber 4th he accepted the crown. On
the 2Sth General Prim was assassinated
in Madrid, and two days later Amadeus
landed at Carthagena The reign of
King Amadeus was stormy and an ut
ter failure. He abdicated February II.
1873, and Republic was established
under the Presidency of Estanisloa
Figueras. In the meantime the Carl
list rebellion. which had broken ont in