Year: 1873

IL is her duty TO herself 20 do IL, for il
would seem that one cannot contemplate
as iact that great Power like spain
should fail TO Tree itself from the disgrace which
not only the civilized world now, out history for
ali time VIII attach TO such n crime as that at
santiago. How FAR she may be powerless 10 punish
the maleiactors against popular sentiment. in the
an insurrection in Cuba, is a more serious ques-
tion Tor u.s. because 1t becomes always OF diiii-
Guilty as To what course, under such circumstances,
should be pursued by innocent neutras whose citi-
Zens are endangered by the inability OF a govern
ment TO make It's power felt over It's own subjects;
and in this case the difficulty is increased be-
cause spain, being In no wise responsible
for the acts Of the insurgents, would then admit
want of responsibility for the acts, or at least
In regard to what course Congress would pursue
II now in session the Senator had not an assured
idea even, and the future action OF Congress
must depend, OF course. upon the state
or circumstances officially communicated when 1t
comes into session. As to what the condition OF
AFFAIRS viii be then an opinion cannot be safely
ventured. As member OF the Senate Naval Com
mttee OF the last Congress, Senator Stockton said
that he had advocated the strengthening OF the
navy, knowing that a feet could not be mproyised
TO meet every emergency. and In there Is any
present doubt Of our ability to enforce respect lor
our dag through want OF q sufficient provision
or ships OF war he regretted that views like his
own had not sooner prevailed In Congress.


Opinions OF James HI. Glass. of Alabama q.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 1873.


Representative James II. Glass, Of Alabama,
though native OF that State. was educated in
Illinois, in the Legislature OF which he served
term. He returned to Alabama at the breaking
out Of the war and served throughout it in the
Southern army. This is his second Congressional
term. He is a democratic member


On being asked what he thought OF the Cuban
troubles, he replied "that the capture Of the Yir
ginius had occurred he left his State but let
ters which he had received stated that throughout
the South the excitement on the subject was at
fever heat. Cuba had always been looked upon
with a longing eye by the Gulf States, and deemed
as property belonging to that section Of the
country. There had been for years large and
valuable trade between the Southern ports and.
Havana and other portions OF Cuba. This and the
passenger trafilc had been much hampered and
interiered with by the Jealous restrictions
colonial authorities. This made bad feel
ing, but aside from this there was
strong sympathy with the Insurgents and desire
OF the oppressive rule OF the remote home gov
ernment. Tne Captain Generals and the colonial
to make fortunes In the quickest possible
time and then return TO the old country TO enjoy
the island Their sole object was to CLEAN from the
land al they could to fill their pockets. To that
end they taxed and oppressed the people in every


'What would be the prospect OF raising troops In
Alabama Tor the invasion OF Cuba in case OF war;"


..More men would volunteer than the government
would nnd necessary to accept. They would oe
men who had served through the late war Con-
lederate soloiers-well drilled and disciplined
told me yesterday that he intended Immediately
on LIS return to raise two regiments and hold
States service in case war should be declared and
that he felt sure that he could organize 1000 men
for that purpose within two weeks"


''What iorce would you deem sufficient as an
army OF invasion2n


u do not know the number OF the Spanish land
forces but suppose they are more than 80 900





ly equipped and oiicered would easily put them TO
rout. Twice that number, or more, could
the island in very few weeks after the deciara-
ton OF war. We should be complete masters of
Cuba at the furthest within two months from the
commencement OF operations


"How do you think IL would do to submit the
question OF our complaints to the arbitration OF
tribunal appointed by foreign Powers ~


"There Is nothing which is tit subject for arbi-
traton. The outrages are too great to submit to
any outside interference. The insult is too griev
been rudely thrust aside by the colonial authori-
ties. A vessel bearing our flag has been seized
vessel. claiming to be passengers, and the crew
sailing under its protection have been taken into
trial. shot to death. Spain does not
acknowledge any war on the Island OF Cuba. Then
American colors has right to visit any OF the
Cuban parts Tor the purpose OF trade If engaged
in illegal traffic she is liable TO seizure and confs
cation by due process OF law. But no Spanish
man-ol-war has a right to seize an American
vessel on the high seas or waters distant over a
league or three miles from the Spanish shore. she
has passed out OF the police sovereignty and the
court jurisdiction OF Spanish authority. If
Spain had accorded Delligerent rights to the in
surgents there might be some possible
excuse in the claim that she had right. as an act
OF war, to seize or overhaul vessels Of which there
munitions OF war and other supplies to the
belligerents; but, as she denies all this
state OF afralrs, she has right Of seizure
other than which may arise from the detection on
her own shores Of parties giving aid and comfort
TO the insurgents. AS for trying and executing the
utterly unjustifabe. The yirginius had on board
her register as an American vessel with the
proper custom house papers, and was flying,
was her right the American dag When the span
ish volunteers fired that voley which killed those
captured on the Virgnius, their bloodthirsty
haste, they little knew what would be the result.
1t will prove to be the death voley the grave
OF Spanish rule In Cuba"