The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-24
"

VIC pass 10 tho relations oil the United States
and Spain during tho Ten Years War uS6s
1879. The grhvest crisis which occurred during
this period wos caused by tic Nirginius tragedy,
which. however. was only tho elimination Of a
long series Of wrongs growing out u, the condi-
ton Of Cuba under Spanish rule As both SpnIn
and the United States recognized that the insur-
gents in Cuba were not bolliCcrents tie latter
could not III out vessels Of their own but were
forced TO use the flag Of 'omc neutral nation
usually that Of the United States Their hostile
naval expeditions and their efforts TO secure arms
from American ports were disguised und, T, the
mask 81 commercial adventures The VIrginus
was originally an American vessel en- gagcd in
commerce; but shc was bought by Cuban insur-
gents, or their sympathizers, and was used 10
convey vnrlike supplies In October, 1879,
having secured q rood deal OF ammunition and
full crew at Kingston, jamaica. she hoisted
the American flag, sailed to Port. Prince,
Hayti. where sho took on board additional com.
notifies that were contraband Of war. and started
Tor Cuba On Oct 80, whom near the ias,-na med
island. she was deserted by a Spanish gunboat
pursued and captured, either on the high seas
or in Jamaica waters Tho Vir9inius offered
no resistance, and any arms that may have been
on board were thrown into the sea The Spanish
gunboat towed the captured vessel into Santiago
de Cuba notwithstanding tho fact that she was
flying tho Stars and Stripes. and had not been
captured In Spanish waters Capt Fry. the
commander OF the Virginius. and Aity-one COM
panons wero shot In tho public 50 uaIo Of Santiago
some having been allowed a ten minutes trial
There was no United States cruiser within reach
OF Santiago and hutfor the arrival and bold inter-
ference OF tho commander OF the British man Of
war Niobo, tho other ninoty-thIee men from tho
Nircinius might not have been saved Shoot
another EnElishman or American" said tho
British commander, "snd tho Niobo will bonn
bard tho city" resolution OF thanks TO tho
British commander was tabled In the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES, but tho Nevada miners rent
him a fourteen pound silver brick to show him
their appreciation OF his grit Both England
and tho United States Immediately protested
against tho executions at Santiago, and sent
men war To protect tho rest Of tho prisoners
Tho AmcricHh navy yards were set working day
and night President Grant convo ked tho Cabi.
net 10 deliberate on grave matters %; State On
Nov 4, 1873, Secretary Fish telegraphcd to Minis
ter Sicklos At Madrid; In case Of refusal Of
satisI actory reparation within twelve days from
this date, you will at tho CT piration OF that time
close your legation, and, together with your score
tary, leave Madrid" The rcparation was re used
yet Sickles did not go On Nov rs, Fish tele-
graphod 10 Sicklos: III no accommodation ia
reached by the close OF tomorrow, leave" No
accommodation was reached by Nov 2s, and
Sci'cs informed the Madrid Government that no
would renew the request for passports II no adjust
ment was reached by o'clock in tho afternoon
Al noon he was informed that proposal from
ScGr,taty flsh hid Just nr riycd by cable and
had b"cn accepted by Spain as n settlement IN
NE Affair Al that Spain was asked 10 do was
70 pay hSo, 600 TO the American Government Tor
INC heirs Of the men executed at Santiarm shn
also promised an invcstgNtio ri the Conduct
of ten. Burrcl, who ordered tho execution Ibut
he was never punished Az 10 the indign,ty
offered 10 the flag O. the United Stairs tho Amer
lcan Attorney General decided that The Virrinius
was nov rBulrd TO saw under the American nag,
, II was two years after the Virrinius affair
mnt our Government proposed TO Intervene in
ouba Tor the purpose Of putting an end 10 the
war, Before taking any overt step In that
direction however, Secretary Fish Addressed
notH to the principal European MOWERS reounst
ing their co-opcraton. The French Minist"r
toI Foreign Affairs desired consul G re al Britain
ocioEe making reply. The head OF the British