The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-19


There has been good deal of friction
between the United States and Spain in
former years. and they have been near war
more than once. During the revolutionary
war Spain was more hostile to the United
States than was any other European
power, she fearing that the success of the
/revolution might hasten the Independence
'of her own colonies. Spain tried by diplo-
macy and scheming to prevent France
from assisting the American colonies
When the war closed, and pending the ne
gotiations Of a treaty of peace, Spain tried
TO induce England to hold on to Rhode
Island, Connecticut and New York in order
to break the power of the rising Republic
In 1906 the Spanish minister Of that period
Marquis De Yrugo, became SO meddlesome
and offensive in American affairs that our
government asked for his recall. The Span
ish government responded by asking that,
as he had already asked leave to return
his departure be put upon that footing
Our government agreed to this, but the ex-
minister fingered about Washington so
long that he was told his departure would
be expected as soon as the Indictment sea-
son would allow. He replied that he would
stay as long as he chose, and so far as his
tory records he did, though, of course, not
as an official representative Boundary dis
putes between the United States and Spain
relating to Florida were a source of fric-
ton for many years until settled by our
purchase of Florida in 1919. But Cuba has
been the greatest source Of trouble, and has
brought the two countries to the verge OF
war more than once Perhaps the most
critical incident occurred in 1873, during a
Cuban rebellion which lasted nearly ten
years. The steamship Virginius, flying the
United States flag, and suspected of car
rying men and munitions to the insur-
gents, was captured by a Spanish cruiser
many of her passengers and her captain
and several of the crew were publicly shot
by the local military authorities. That was
good time to have declared war against
Spain, wiped out old scores, liberated Cuba
and ended the whole business. But moder-
ate counsels prevailed At first President
Grant directed demand to- be made upon
the return of the survivors to the protection
of the United States; for a salute to the
flag, and for the punishment of the Offend
ing parties. In making this demand
through United States Minister Sickles at
Madrid, Secretary Fish wired:
In case of refusal of satisfactory repara-
ton within twelve days from this date you
will. at the expiration of that time, close
Ia nd will wit
secretary, leave Madrid, bringing with you
the archives of the legation.
The next day Minister Sickles wired:
Made demand by note to-day at O. clock
in the afternoon, and on the same day tele-
graphed. Received an ill-tempered note to-
day from the minister of state, saying that
Spain would consider and decide the ques-
lions according to law and her dignity.
On the same day Secretary Fish tele-
graphed the minister that more executions
had been reported, and saying: IF Spain
cannot redress these outrages the United
States will" For several days the minister
was on the point of leaving Madrid or of
being mobbed and driven out, but the
storm blew over and the affair ended by the
surrender of the Virginius and an official
disclaimer by Spain of an intent to insult
the flag of the United States. Unfortu-
nately for the claim of the United States,
the correspondence showed that the Vir-
ginius at the time of her capture, was not
entitled to carry the United States flag,
though it is doubtful if we shall ever have
clearer case or better cause of war
against q nation which has always been
fiouting us and has caused us a great deal
of trouble