Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-04-28
THE VIRGINIUs AFFAIR.

Frequent reference is made to the
Virginius affair, which nearly brought
on war with Spain twenty-five years
ago. The commander of the Virgini-
us was Captain Fry, brave Confed-
crate officer, who was among the first
to be shot by the Spaniards.
The Philadelphia Ledger has com
piled the following history Of the Incl
dent:
On the last day Of October 1878,
the Spanish steamer Tornado sighted
and captured, near Jamaica, the Vir-
ginius, sailing ship, flying the Amer
lean flag. 1t was claimed that the
vessel was engaged as flibuster. The
Tornado took her prize into Cuban
port, and, with the usual disregard for
humanity OF the ordinary observances
of the rule of other nations toward
captured prisoners, the Spanish au-
thorities Immediately shot four Cubans
who were found on board. This was
on November t. The United States
was notified on the 9th Of the capture
of the vessel and the slaughter, and a
strong protest was made at once to
President CASTELAR,, of Spain. He at
once sent an order to Havana to delay
further proceedings, but this order
was not delivered, it is said, until af-
ter a second massacre of a large num-
Der of prisoners took place. Many of
these slaughtered men were citizens Of
the United States and Of England. 1t
was the massacre Of these men that
aroused the American people to frenzy,
and nearly brought about a war be-
tween the United States and Spain.
President Grant at once made a per-
emptory demand on Spain for resto-
ration OF the vessel, for prompt and
unconditional surrender of the sur
viving prisoners, for a heavy indemnity
as a Iecompense for the murdered men,
for salute to the American flag and
for the punishment of the offending
parties. The demand was sent on the
10th Of November, and twelve days
were given for compliance.
On the 18th General Sickles, then
minister to Spain, received reply
which he regarded as a refusal, and
proposed, unless otherwise ordered by
his government, to close the legation.
The next day he telegraphed SPANS
rejection of the protest Of the United
States, and announced that Spain had
sought the good Offices of Great Britain,
but that Lord Granville had declined,
unless on a basis of ample reparation
to the United States. But while Gen
eral Sickles was making preparations
to leave he received a dispatch from
Washington saying that the Spanish
minister had asked for more time and
promised to make ample reparation,
and he was directed not to close the
legation.
On the 28th General Sickles tele-
graphed his opinion that Spain was
playing double, and that matters could
be fastened if lie left Madrid. Mr.
Fish, the American Secretary Of State,
replied that if the differences Of atti-
tude on the part of Spain in Madrid
and Washington existed the President
felt bound to consider the representa-
tions made in Washington, as they
were most nearly in compliance with
our demands. The dispatch conclud-
ed with an order for General Sickles
TO remain at his post. Apparently,
however, the Washington government
soon came to the conclusion reached
by the American minister, that Spain
was playing double, for on the 25th
General Sickles received a dispatch
saving: "If no accommodation is
reached by the close Of tomorrow,
leave This frightened Spain to some
action, apparently, for the next day
President CASTELAR, informed General
Sickles that it had been informally
agreed at Madrid that reparatiOn
should be made in accordance with
American demands. While this Gin
formal" agreement was being arrived
at in Madrid, however, the Spanish
minister in Washington was sPurred
into signing a formal document OF
agreement. Mr.. Fish telegraphed on
December Sd that time and place had
been arranged for carrying out the
terms of the protocol.
During the negotiations the Spanish
government contended that, while the
Virginius carried the American flag,