The New York Herald Newspaper, November 15, 1873, Page 3

; . SPANISH BARBARISM, The Bloody Tribunal at Santiago Completing Its Work. TIFTY-SEVEN MORE SHOT. + Eighteen Only Out of the 163 To Be Spared. Semi-Official Views of the Ma- drid Government. Columbia’s Soiled Flag of Less Account Than Republican Sympathy. GREAT BRITAIN AGITATED, The Government at Washington im Cabinet Session. ORGANIZING THE NAVAL FORCES. TELEGRAMS 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD. Ena the Mock Trials—Eighteen Men Only to Be Spared. HAVANA, Nov. 14, 1873. ‘The trials of all the prisoners taken on board the Virginius have been concluded. Only eighteen will be caved from death. Of these several are engin- eers or fremen, who were ignorant of the destina- tion of the expedition, and four or five will be set atliverty, The others will probably be condemned to the chain gang. The following are the names of the officers and crew, thirty-seven in number, who were executed at Santiago on the 7th inst. :— OFFICERS, Captain—Joseph Fry. First Mate—William Barnard. Second:Mate—James Flood, SEAMEN, J.C, Harris. Barney Herrald. John Bosa, Samuel Card. B. P, Chamberlain. John Brown. Wiltiam Kose. Alfred Haisell. Ignacio Duefias. W. J. Price. Antonio Deloyo, José Manuel Teiran. Ramon Larramendi. Eusebio Gariza, Edward Day. George Thomas. Ezekiel Durham. Thomas Walter Williams, Simon Broyeur. Leopold Larose, 4.8, Trajillo, A. Arel. Jack Williamson, Jonn Stewart. Portino Corvison. Henry Bond. P. Aliaro. George Thompson. Thomas Crigg. James Samuel, Frank Good, Henry Frank. Paul Khunrer, James Read. The Spanish Brigadier General, Bascones, re- Ports that he encountered a strong force of in- surgents at Sacra, in the Central Department, on the afternoon of the 7th inst. The fighting began atfouro’clock and ended at eight o’clock P. M. The rebels were defeated and routed, flying in all airections. Over 100 were killed and a large num- ber wounded. The loss of the Spanish troops was 64 killed, ANOTHER SLAUGHTER AT SAN- TIAGO, Fifty-seven More of tie Prisoners Shot. Havana, Nov. 14—Evening. The Diario of Cienfuegos says that 57 of the Vir- ginius captives were shot at Santiago on the 10th inst. No particulars of these additional executions bave yet been made public here. THE SPANISH VIEW. Virginius TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Not Possible for the United States to Make a Demand on Spain, MADRID, Nov. 14, 1873. ‘The Imparcial has 4 long article to-day on the executions at Santiago. It endeavors to show that it is not possible for the United States government to make any demand on Spain in consequence of these proceedings. It arguea that the great majority of the American people want to see the Spanish Republic united and successful, President Grant and his advisers know this, and are not likely to imperil the hopes of republicanism in Spain by precipitating a com- Plication abroad when internal troubles demand all her strength, THE FEELING IN LONDON. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Great Indigsation Expressed in Eng- Jand—Spanish Securities Affected. Lonpon, Nov. 14, 1873. The shooting of the crew and passengers of the steamship Virginius 1s commented on at length by the London morning journais, all of which express the hope that the execution will be avenged by the government of the United States, All stocks on the list are strong and higher, with the exception of Spanish securities, which are affected by the Virginius affair. THE AFFAIR IN WASHINGTON. A G ral Review from Government Sources=The President, Secretary Fish and the People—Reparation Must He Demanded of Spain. WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 1873. The following is the substance of what has been said by the President to personal and political friends who have sought his views and mtentions towards Spain and Cuba since the arrival of the news of the butcheries of Santiago :— In reference to his personal feelings to- wards Cuban independence he is not will- ing for,them to be taken as conciusive evidence of what he can or ought to do in Mis official capacity, it being, he believes, a common experience with people in oMcial posi fon to believe or desire things as individuals ‘which they are unable to perform or advise in the discharge of their public duties, For this reason, if for no other, he has been chary of expression of personal feeling even in private intercourse, and = prefers to rest uporf what he has said in his messages to Congress, and upon the ume made of bis discretionary NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. powers as President during the course of the Cuban insurrection, to yieldmg to temptations to say things in private confidence that might be used to embarrass him and his admin- istration when called upon to act oM- cially. Conrequently nobody has so far any authority t® go behind the record made in hia messages and the action of the State Department for the purpose of asserting, as had been done, that the President would have done otherwise if not held back by oMcial duty or neces- sity and by the influence of his Cabinet officers. PRESIDENTIAL PRECEDENTS. In every important matter that has arisen during his term of office the President has found, he says, two limitations upon what he has been able to do—the first being the precedents that have arisen out of the action taken by pre- vious administrations upon analagous cases aris- ing in their day, and the second the necessity of so acting upon every important question as it arises, 80 that the precedent growing out of it shall not be quoted to the embarrassment and disadvantage of our government when in future questions it shall have changed sides, as it must do at times, In some of the instances where his admin- istration has been most severely attacked it has acted in strict conformity to precedents set by the very acts quoted by his assailants as being in strong contrast to those of his own administration, while the doers had been held up as examples of statesmen whose ‘character and abilities were wholly lacking in public men of the present time. If he has been indifferent to public opinion, as charged in many things, it is because he finds that what the opponents of every administration of the government has called public opinion has been their own disagreement with everything that the administration has done or proposed to do, and their own perversions of facts and mo- tives. Such has been the experience of the gov- ernment from the time of Washington down, and as all other governments seem to suffer in the same way he makes no special complaint, except to friends, who take it more to heart than himself, ON THIS VERY CUBAN QUESTION, which has proved, perhaps, the most harassing subject, taking all things together, of his term of office as President, it has been thrown up to him that, when Lieutenant General in 1865, he favored and even proposed a summary way of ending the question of French intervention in Mexico by marching a pat ofthe great army of volunteers that had just ended the rebellion across the Rio Grande and driving Bazaine out of the country, while he has shown no such energetic disposition to drive the Spanish out of Cuba, But, apart from the fact that the two cases are different in every essential point, he had only his military responsibility to consult in 1865, and was quite certain that he could, through General Sheridan, or any other officer who might have been put in command, have success‘ully done his part of expelling the French army. The political questions he then left, as always before and after duripg his whole army service, with those to whom they belonged, it being his uniform course to take no part in the political affairs of the government, except when his opinion and advice were askea or duties of a political nature were imposed upon him by Congress or his superior officers. THE PRESIDENT AND PUBLICITY, From suggestions that, in the present ex- cited state of the public mind over the Virginius outrage, an authoritative though unofficial state- ment through the press of what the administration feels and thinks and intends todo would be well the President dissented, taking the ground that, though no strict notions of etiquette would be allowed to interfere with such a course if it were deemed advisable, it was quite certain that those who habitually found fault with everything would continue to do so just the same, and that such portion of the people and press as were willing to judge dispas- sionatelv and impartially had already every reason- able assurance that the government were not lag- gerd in defending American honor and protecting the lives and property of our citizens, even where appearances were sometimes the other way. In fact, the principle of protection had more than once been stretched to cover isolated cases, thougn it is not admitted that the principle had ever been actually extended too far. It too often happens to every government, the President thinks, to be- come involved with this or that government over THIS QUESTION OF CITIZENSHIP AND PROTECTION in behalf of persons not really deserving of the consideration they receive, and certainly not justi- fable causes of the wars they sometimes nearly cause and the bad feeling they generally manage to stir up between otherwise friendly nations. This was not intended to apply to the present case of the Virginius, in which the facts are as yet too muchin dispute to warrant any such opinion; but during our own civil war we had numerous il- lustrations, especially with the British and French governments, and having generally yielded ample recognition to the principle of protection of citizens and subjects then, the President thinks we ought to maintain it now, as far as can consistently be done. It is inferred by the President's friends that he is very far from pleased with the management of the Cuban cause in thiscountry. He inclines to tne opinion that our hospitality has been rather abused than other- wise, and that, in no grateful spirit, the slightest indication of sympathy with the idea of Cuban independence on the part of any authority in the government has been distorted and attempted to be used as evidence that the government really cared nothing for its interna- tional obligations if they could be violated without too open an exhibition of contempt for our neu- trality; while, on the other hand, every conces- sion of rightful privileges to Spain as a recognized and friendly Power, though brought about by the rasiness and defiance of the Cuban agents and adherents in this country, has been denounced by them as acts of treachery by the American government towards the Ameri- can people, though the President is convinced that the people themselves have not listened to the spiteful accusations of those who, in many cases, have no better standing of right in this country than our own fugittves from the burdens and dan- gers of civil war in Canada nine of ten years ago. TNE STATE DEPARTMENT, Finally, it is stated that Secretary Fish has been vindicated by the President to such friends as have Ventared upon the suggestion that possibly the State Department has somewhat chilled toe natn- tural glow of Executive sympathy for Cuba and in- dignation against Spanish atrocity and duplizity in the island. On this point the President is con- fident that nobody can possibly understand Mr. Fish’s opinion aud conduct so thoronshly as him. 3 self; that their conferences, apart from format Cabinet discussions, have been, during the four years of Cuban war, frequent, prolonged, anxious and unreserved, and that, while both have held and expressed opinions of their own and have not always agreed on matters of detail in coming together, they have never parted except in harmony upon what was to be done as the consequence of the meeting, and that nothing has been done that did not have his entire approval as the proper thing to do, time and circumstances considered, Mr. Fish, the President thinks, has suffered like himself from a careful abstinence from too free an expression of his personal views, and believes he finds the same consolation in the knowledge of hav- ing done his best and striven honestly in doing it His personal obligations to his Secretary of State are great, and he has no doubt the country will do him justice, THE NAVAL MUSTER. When the Ossipee completes her stores she will sail for Hampton Roads to await further orders. Her torpedoes should have been on board nearly @ week ago, and had the orders of the Navy De- partmment been carried out she would have been near Santiago de Cuba to-day. The Powhatan will proceed to Philadelphia, to finish her cargo of war material and await further instructions. The Juniata is ready for sea and may receive orders at any moment. In other matters the Navy Department is equally energetic, CHARTS POR THE FLEET. The Hydrographic Office was called upon to-day to prepare a full set of charts for the vessels to be added to the North Atlantic squadron, ON DECK. Paymasters have been ordered to active duty who thought themselves comfortably housed in Washington for the winter. PLANS OF OPERATION. But the most significant of all that has yet been done is the examination of the charts of the sev- eralimportant harbors on the coast of Cuba and what the navy would have to encounter in the event of hostilities. The entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, not more than a quarter of a mile wide, and commanded by two fortresses, did not look inviting. The entrance to the harbor of Havana is better protected, READING UP THE ENEMY. There was also an overhauling of the records of the Navy Department, giving a description of the vessels of the Spanish navy in Cuban waters, but nothing could be found respecting the Tornado, CALCULATING THE CHANCES. One might suppose from all this that there isan anticipation of mischief, It would seem so to those who know the dull routine of the Navy De- partment tn times of profound peace. Then there is a doubt about the superiority of our naval vessels over those of the Spanish navy, or even of their equality, while the advocates of new ships say there is not @ vessel} in our service fit to compete with a Spanish man-of-war; “but what do all these preparations mean?” ask the quakers, “if it does not mean. business? “What use of this concentration of the navy in Ouban waters?’ The answer to this was given to-day by a weil known naval officer. Supposing the Madrid goy- ernment should fail to bave its orders obeyed, and the present Ministry should be suddenly changed and one hostiie to the United States, or rather one not disposed to deal with us in a friendly manner, should succeed while this matter of the Virginius 18 pending, do you not see what a humili- ating attitude the United States would be in with nothing more potent than the goose quill of the Secretary of State to defend us? Anda sudden change in the senti- ment of the Spaniards at home would not be more surprising than the abdication of King Amadeus, Such a change would only embolden the Spaniards in Cuba, and that is why the government has re- solved not to be wholly unprepared. If the Cas- telar government can satisfy the United States of their ability to enforce its orders we certainly would have no cause to complain, But I do not believe they can do this, The Span- ish rule in Cuba to-day does more to support the Carlist movement in Spain than the Cuban exiles in this country do to sustain the insurrection on the island. The Casino Espanol knows the home government cannot spare troops to fight it or its jaithful followers, So ail the puper protests of the Secretary of State will have about as much effect on the Cuban butchers as so many spit balls. HAVE WE A POLICY? Ido not mean this disrespectfully; for Iknow that paper wads are all that the State Department dare aim at anybody. Nor do I say that it would be just to precipitate hostile feeling by an aggres- sive policy. What I do say is, that it is the duty of the President to invest every harbor of Cuba with such vessels as can be had at home or spared from the foreign stations until this everlasting cause of complaint on the isiand is removed and the United States assume temporary jurisdiction until the deflant spirit of the volun- teers is subdued, the good will of the Spanish government notwithstanding. RETROSPECT. Our foreign correspondence with Spain for the last four years has been brimming full of good wil, and to our discredit be it said that the heart of the Secretary of State has been literally a bleeding heart, on account of the atrocities committed in Cuba against the in- surgents. Were it not that I havecontidence in the President and faith in the patriotism of Con- gress I should expect to read in 1874, in the diplomatic correspondence, precisely what may be Jound in the preceding documents on our re- lations with Spain. Important Discussions in the Cabinet Session—Horror and Indignation of the Heads of Departments. The session of the Cabinet to-day continued over two hours and was the most imrprtant which has taken place under President Grant's adminis. tration. The capture of the Virginius and the shocking barbarities perpetrated by the Spanish authorities at Santiago de Cuba formed the subject of serious consideration, and definite action toward main- taining the dignity of the United States in the ex- isting complications was taken, While all the mem- bers of the Cabinet are extremely reticent as to the nature.of the conclusion reached to-day it may be said that the administration is thoroughly in accord with the sentiment of the people of the country, and the course of the authorities will be heartily approved, WARLIKE WORDS AND MEASURES. One member of the Cabinet, when approached oa the subject, replied—‘‘As to the nature of the action agreed upon to-day [can say nothing; but | you may rest assured the people of the country will be satisfied.” Immediately after the adjournment of the Cabinet Secretary Robeson repaired to the Navy Department and first had a long conference with the Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repairs as to fitting out for sea several vessels now laid up, and then with the Chief of the Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting relative to furnishing such vessels with a complement of men, stores, &c, A large number of telegrams between tte Secretary and commandants of the several navy yards passed during the day, but affairs about the Department were conducted with seerecy. THE PROBABLE DEMANDS OF SPAIN. Various rumors are circulated to-night as to the determination of the Cabinet, one of which is that the government will demand of Spain the imme- diate arrest and punishment of the parties mainly instrumental in conducting the outrages of which the government so seriously complains, and if the Casteiar government shail be unable to give the required satisfaction this government will proceed to extreme measures neces- sary to obtain it, Though no Cabinet oMcer admits directly that this is one of the con- clusions arrived at during to-day’s deliberations, still, upon its being presented, there is no positive denial, The fact is that, owing to the determina- tion adopted in the Cabinet session not to make known for the present any portion of the impor- tant proceedings, it is more than ordinarily dificult toobtain even the slightest intimation from any one of the several heads of departments or from the President, excepting, a3 men- toned above, the admission that the de- cision will meet the heartiest approval of the American people. There 15 reason to believe that one of the subjects accompanying the discus- sion of the situation was that of the Spanish man- of-war now undergoing repairs at New York, and that it was remarked, in the course of consulta- tion, should that vessel by any possibility come into the hands of this government its possession would more than compensate for the loss of the Virginius, 80 far as the comparative values of the ships are concerned. SENDING OUT THE “SINEWS OF WAR.” The Treasury Department to-day, upon the requisition of the Secretary of the Navy, shipped $230,000 by express to Norfolk, Va., the headquar- ters of the North Atlantic fleet, in order that there might be no delay in fitting out and supplying with all necessary stores the vessels now under orders to leave, with the least possible delay, for Cuba and other points in the West Indies. Rear Admiral George H. Scott, commanding the vessels of this expedition, will sail from Norfolk on Monday in the Worcester, his flagship, for Havana, Specific instructions have been given him by the government to report daily to the department by telegraph from Key West, and not rely upon the Havana cable, which is under control of the Spanish authorities, It ts only eight hours’ run irom Havana to Key West with a fast tug or despatch boat, from which point the telegrams will be started, EFFICIENCY OF OUR NAVY. Secretary Robeson ts well satisfied with the con- dition of qe vessels of our navy, and yrominent naval officers join with the Secretary in declaring our absolute fitness to meet, with the American mel ‘war and iron-ciads readily available, the greatest emergency that may arise. So far as ordnance is concerned the navy is in an eMfcient state, having on hand at the varfous navy yards most of the ordnance which armed our vessels during the rebellion, It consists of 15, 11 and %inch guns—weapons of a most formidable character. THE AIM OF THE PRESIDENT. While the President cannot declare war he is de- termined to place the naval service of the country in such @ state of efficiency that it may be ready for immediate use should the present war cloud assume such dimensions as to determine Congress upon making a formal declaration, Should & rupture occur between the two gov- ernments, it will be the policy of the United States to land a sufficient force of men on the island of Cuba, which can easily be done under the protection of our iron-clads and other vessels of war, It has been mentioned by a prominent Cabinet officer that 10,000 men would in all probability be in excess of the number of troops required to establish beyond any chance of failure the authority of the United States in Cuba. This was not stated as an official declaration, put as an incident of conversation upon the absorbing topic. Mem- bers of the Cabinet do not hesitate to express per- sonal views asto their full endorsement of the general desire for full reparation of the outrages ‘upon our citizens and insults to our flag; but as to the absolute intention of the government not one who has been approached this evening considers himself at liberty, as already indicated, to speak. INDIGNATION IN THE CABINET. Greater unanimity never characterized a Cabinet session than that of to-day. Upon the rumors of additional outrages by the execution of every man on board the Virginius, the Cabinet shared the feelings of the community in general, and every Member gave some expression of his feelings upon the reported repitition of the outrages, Rear Ad- miral Scott, the present commander of the North Atlantic Squadron, is regarded as in every way fit for that important trust. The President, while he will guard to the utmost extreme the rights of American citizens, and defend the policy which has been determined upon, will also make earnest recom- mendations to Congress in his forthcoming Mes- sage. In October, 1872, Secretary Fish, in writing | to General Sickles, complaining of the regulations for the preeeedings concerning sequestrated prop- erty in Cuba and the embargo or confiscation of property belonging to citizens of the United States on that island, instructed him to present the griev- ances of which this government so justly complained to the Spanish government in @ way which, with- out giving offence, will leave a conviction that the United States are in earnest in the expression of their views; that they expect redress, and that if it should not soon be afforded Spain must not be surprised to find, as the inevitable result of the de- lay, @ marked change in the feeling and in the temper of the people and of the government of the United States. This change and temper are now fully deveioped, consequent upon the additional grievance attending the seizure of the Virginius and the executions which so swiltly followed. THE MASSACRE OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND TEN NOT VERIFIED. The Secretary of State has received no further particulars of the Virginius massacre, with the exception of the despatch from Consul General Hall, showing that the executions were precipt- tated by the Spanish authorities at Santiago de Cuba, in order to anticipate any interference on the part of the home government, Evidences ac- cumulate upon these facts. Late this even- ing oficial despatches were received from Consul General Hall at Havana, but they contain no allusion whatever to any further executions than those reported on the mornings of the 4th, 7th and 8th inst., and from this it seems probable that there has been no other executions, and the rumors to that effect to- day are believed to be unfounded. Consul General Hall, however, experiences much diMicuity in ov- taining accurate information from the Spanish au- thorities, gonsultation with the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs at Madrid yesterday after- noon at four o'clock, but in consequence of the arrival in that city of the news of further execu- tions after the murder of the first four prisoners, the Spanish oficials expressing intense regret aad | horror at the circumstance, suggested to Minister Sickles a reasonable delay in holding the intended been arranged, AN INCORRECT IMPRESSION has been circulated that Secretary Fish had as- serted that in case the Virginius was captured in British waters it would be necessary for England to hold Spain responsible for the violatian of her jurisdiction, and that this government would make such requirement. Such, however, is not the case. The position of Secretary Fish is to hold Spain responsivie for the insult to our | ish, American or Spanish waters, The question of England holding Spain responsible for an insult to our flag in British waters, if it should prove to be within a marine league of British territory, is | one of secondary and minor consideration, not eu- tering at all into the present complications. SEMI-OFFICIAL VIEWS OF THE GOVERNMENT. WASHINGTON, Nov, 14, 1873, The following article in the National Republican to-day 18 recognized on ail sides as being written from the dictation of the Secretary of State and contains the views of the government on the Vir- ginius affair :— The government is without sufficient official in. formation regarding the recent occurrences on the island of Cuba to enable tt to act definively, and i: in fact, in possession of no information beyon: that which has been conveyed to the public through the columns of the press. It has not been satistactortly ascertained \: at the Virginius was within three miles of the shore of Jamaica at the time of her capture, and it is, therefore, impossible to declare at this time ether the capture was made in British waters, that the Spanish, vessel Tornado pursued the vine ginius for aE t hours. All aceounts, both omicial and unoMcial, agree on this point. A calculation of the speed of both vessels for this space of time shows that if they had been headed toward the island of Jamaica, and thatif the chase had been in the direction of British waters, the Vi ius would, Utsler any circumstance, have pense to reach the prescribeu limit—in other words, she wou have reached the line underneath the bluits of the island. inside of which she would not have been allenable to capture, But the in Minister Sickles was to have had a | council, and accordingly a brief postponement has | | fag, no matter whether the act occurred in Brit, | ference from the meagre information av hand is, that the chase was in @ direc- tien — with the coast up to the time when the Tornado, having repaired her machinery, changed her course. At this time the Virginius changed her course also, and undoubtedly at- tempted to reach a point of safety. Whether she succeeded or not is a question yet to be settled. The Spanish announcement, as printed in the oficial gazette at Madrid, distinctly asserts that she did not reach that point before the Tornado overhauled her, and adcs most positively that she Was ‘six miles irom the coast,” Until this tm- porns question is settled the State Department 8 Manifestiy at a loss for a basis upon which to Test @ complaint, ‘The testimony regarding this point will necessa- rily be vague, and perhaps unsatisiactory, as the capture was made at ten o'clock at night, when it was impossible to make a reasonable estimate of distances, and when, a8 the moon was shining brightly, the difficulty of such an estimate was doubled, Questions also arise regarding the registry of the Virginius. Up to this time the Spanisn authoriues have raised no point against the popular allegation that she was an American vessel, No opportunity has been atforded them to do so, for the reason that the question has not yet been discussed, and that no point involving the nationality of her owner- ship hasbeen raised, 1t 1s posstpie that the Span- ish authorities may have some information regard- ing this most important feature of the matter aud may be in readiness to neve it when the emer- gencies of the case require them to do so. Our government stands ready to-day to maintain that she was an American vessel and will do so most earnestly unless proof is brought forward to show that she had foricited her right to its protection by the terms of a valid sale to parties who have no claim upon the United States. Immediately upon receipt of the news ofthe first execution Secretary Fish, in behall of this gov- ernment, took action intended to prevent addi- uonal butcheries. In a despatch, the language of which was unmistakably forcible and decided, he protested against the execution as barbarous, in violation of the civilization of the 56 8n0. as dis- gracefal. The repeated occasions for the interven- ton of our government in similar instances in- duced the Secretary to assume a most positive posi- tion, and itis certain that the Spanish authorities at Madrid, to whom the despatch was transmitted turough General Sickles, accepted its tenor as an indication of our impatience, as well as @ de- termination on our part to use every legitimate endeavor to put an end to the inhuman atrocities of the volunteers. The despatch having been read to Sefior Figueras, Minister Sickles received as- surance that the Madrid government would inter- vene to prevent further executions, and that the United States need not make any further demand in the premises, as the Spanish government was ready to yield without such demand any “reciamation” that may be required by the usages of civilization, the laws of uation or treaty obligations, Our government accepte these promises as the utterances of men who made them in good faitn and with an honest intention to {ulfli them to the letter. The orders were issued immediately, to be transmitted to the Captain General at Havana, who, no doubt, at- tempted to carry them out; but in the meantime the telegraph wires had been cut or disconnected between Havana and Santiago de Cuba, and it is now apparent that Governor Burriell, the Spanish commandant at the latter place, will assert tl on account of this interruption of communication ie did not receive the order to delay the execu- ions. The American Vice Consul at Santiago de Cuba did everything in his power to revent the butcheries. Oificial despatches from Consul Gen- aral Hall, at Havana, give him this credit, and un- offictal information has been received sufticiently in detail to show that he exerted every resource at his command to accomplish the desired object. It has been learned officially that when he attempted to cummunicate with bis superior ut Havana, by telegraph, the Spanish authorities intervened. As the government has full control of the telegraph, the intervention was successful in prohibiting him irom sending the despatches which he had written. No doubt exists regarding the authority thus exercised by Governor Burriel or his associates over the telegraph, as the wires are owned and excisively controlied as 4 monopoly by the government. The wires were subsequently cut or disconnected.; While no proof exists to show that the destruction of communication was other- wise than accidental, the suspicion naturally arises that 1t was intentional. But tie prohibition ex- ercisedin preventing the Vice Consul from send- ing his despatches before the wires had been cut to Consui General Hail cannot be construed in any other light than as an uniriendly act onthe part of those wno are responsible for it, and as an evidence of cruel predetermination that the murderous object for which preparations had already been made should be accomplisued with- out the possibility of imtervention from higher authority to prevent it. ‘rhe government accepts this as the most reason- avle and deserved characterization of this dis- gracetul feature of the affair. The evident deduc- tion to be made therefrom is in thorough accord witi the popular belief that vhe volunteers on the island, under the control of the Casino Espafiol, are in effect independent of any authority except that which is dictated by their own inclinations. The government will, accordingly, proceed at the proper time upon this assumption. But inasmuch us the Madrid authorities have made the voluntary promises to which aliusion has been made, the government is compelled to await future develop- ments. When these promises were made the Madrid authorities fixed their own time and date for their fulfilment, That time has not yetexpired. What action may be taken in the event 0! their nonful- fillment isa matter that will, in all probability, rest with Congress at its coming session, which be- gins two weeks irom next Monday, The status of the insurgents on the island of Cuba has been the subject of watchiul care by the overnment for years. Since the death of Jose Storates Lemus, first Vice President of the Cuban Republic, and Minister Extraordinary from its gov- ernment to the United States, they have been irregularly represented in Washington. Seiior Miguel de Aldama has made several visits to Secretary Fish, but no representation has been made to prove that they have succeeded in establishing @ regular and stable form of government. The construction placed upon the phrase, “regular and stable government,” enlorces a necessity that the insurgents shall hold regularly established courts; shall levy taxes; shall convene constituent assemblies for legisia- tive purposes, and shail be possessed of a seaport and sail their fag upon the high seas. No repre- sentations to prove that these necessities have been complied with have been made; but, on the contrary, the information received seems to indi- cate that the last attempt of the body purporting to be the legisiative assembly was dispered by the Spanish armies, and that one, at least, of its mem- bers was captured, and that no effort has been made to convene it since then. It is, Were a the fault of the Cuban representatives in this country that they have not taken the precaution to prove their right to recognition, and that they are in a condition to comply with the re- quirements of internattonal law. While the government believes that jour-fifths of the natives on the island may be opposed to Spanish rule and in sympathy with the msurrection, itis unable to perceive that the insurgents have succeeded in making such advancement m the direction of guin- ing or maintaining power as to entitle them to any consideration beyond that which is accorded to any rebellious combination. The cry for a recogni- tion of their belligerent rights is, there- fore, wild in the extreme, and while it finds response under the existing excite- ment from people of every section of our country, and consequently carries great weight wiih it, a proper regard for the obligations o1 the na- tion to a Power which is yet friendiy and probably will continue to be Iriendly, demands that the ut- most cantion shall characterize each successive step. Such a recognition, it should be understood, would not increase the advantages which are now accorded to the insurgents in the purchase of arms, and while their representatives have clamored for it, they have neglected the oy Suge which our open market afforas them to buy munitions of war ag they please, and ship them under sale protec tion to any point they please, until they reach the prescribed line three miles from the Cuban shore, when, if it is proved that a vessel is engaged in traffic in violation of Spanish law, she may be subjected to seizure. The insurgents, tt may be remarkea in this connection, already en- joy the benefic of a recognition of belligerent rights irom several South American repaolics— natural enemies of Spain—put having no seaport, and being without a substantial form of govern- ment, their flag upon the high seas must be cou- sidered in the purview of international law as the emblem of piracy. It does not necessarily follow that either the United States, Great Britain or any other Powers would treat their flag as such an emblem, but tt does follow that Spain would be entitied to treat tt as sucn and that sympathizing governments would be powerless to interiere. Under the act of 1868, regulating the duty of the President when his intervention is reqwured to protect American citizens from an invasion of their rights by joreign governments, it is impos- sible that the administration can do anything more than protest against such violation. The law pro- vides most positively that protests of this kind, and subsequent action which may follow, shall be limited to the use of measures which shall not amount to an act of war. It 18, theretore, are ent that t vernment is virtually cripp! in its efforts, and while it may be popular to compare the apparent delay of the Department of State in such matters {t should be remembered that Secre- tary Fish, much abused though he may be, has simply cee with the duties of his position as prescribed by the laws of the country. The government does not fear serious complica- tions with Spain under any circumstance, but in reply to the numerous inquiries regarding the re- sults of such complications it may be said thi case of actual war, Spain would find that we reaay for hostifities as could be expected, Spain is not @ party to the Treaty of Paris, and would, con- Sequently, be able te issue letters of marque to pri- vateers. She has but little commerce afioat, ana Would consequently risk comparatively nothing. No one dovbts the result of a war between the two countries, would readily succumb, as- Suredly with the loss of Cuba, Porto Rico and tla» Phillipme Islands; but the coat to the United States would undoubtedly be greater than the gain, aod the honor of deleating the Spaniards woula uot compensate us for the difference. To sum ap, itis evident from the foregoing that the government has not only been active and im- peratively urgent in its efforts to bring the Span- lards to terms, but has exnausted every lc} itimate Tesource at its command to compel @ ‘satis‘actory result from the pending diMcuities. The country Need have no fear of weakness or vacillation in the future conduct, of the case. No citizen of the United States, however earnest he may be in his sympathy tor the victims of the Santiago atrocity or horrimed at the cruelty of the muraers coms mitted, can be more determined that justice shalt be wrenched from the hands of reluctant power than tne President. In this determination he is rend seconded by Secretary Fish and the entire Cabinet. NAVAL PREPARATIONS. The Navy at League Island. PHILADELPHIA, Noy. 14, 1873. Amid the many conflicting rumors which at present have a bearing upon the numerous gun- boats lying off League Island, there is but little means of learning what ordera have been Issued + from Washington. There is a current story that there have been advices received which affects all the gunboats lying there, and by means of a visit to that quarter your correspondent 1s enabled to give a list of als THE MONITORS READY FOR SERVICE, 48 well as those which could be made ready in @ few months, ‘The totat number is quite large, and ouggovern- Ment is to be greatly blamed because so many of the monitors are in such @ bad condition. Still, there are several which can be made good in@ short time, and there is no doubt that peremptory orders have already been given to this effect. Among the boats lying at the island are the follow- pes all of which are of the ordinary monitor Terror—a double-turreted monitor poat, carrying four guns of 15-inch bore. She returned from Ke West last July and has been lying at League Talend ever since. Can be made ready in two weeks, The monitors deat gnated below are all of one turret and armed with two guns of 15-inch bore: Catskill, Modoc, Cohoes, Passaic, Paritan, Napa, Jason, Yazo, Koka, Niobe, Lehigh, Otsego, Minnetai Algoma, Nahant, Wyanaittee, Nantucket, Naussitt, Of these the Puritan isone of the very largest ever constructed, and, repaired slightly, could be made one of the ‘most effective. The Koka is a light draught monitor, and is, perhaps, the only one Which could not be turned into immediate service. The Nahant is even now under repatr at the ship- yards of Mr. John Roche, and the others not men- Uoned above are repairing ut Wilmington, Del. AslI said above, many of these boats, like the Manhattan, could be started off at short notice, and others could be sent out at regular intervals afterward. The Navy Yard is very active, and every- thing indicates business. The Ossipee Expected at Newport. Newronrr, R. L., Nov. 14, 1873. The sloop-of-war Ossipee has not arrived at this hour (nine P.M.), but the ofictals at the torpedo Station are expecting her here during the nignt, Matters Quict at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Boston, Nov. 14, 1873, The activity in regard to the Cuban question bag Not affected the Charlestown Navy Yard as yet. In- quiry was made by the Navy Department as to how long it would take to fit the Brooklyn, now in the dry.dock, for sea, which will be until about the 1st of February, and word was sent to Washing ton to that effect, Tne usual monthly draft has been made for the seamen on board the Ohio, and it is expected that 200 will be forwarded to New York to-morrow with the 200 that are to come from the Portsmouth Navy Yard. Seamen Ordered to Service in Cuban Waters. PoRTSMOUTH, N. H., Nov. 14, 1873. By an order from the Navy Department all the sailors on board the United States receiving snip Sabine, at this station, were this morning de- spatched to New York tor service on United States: vessels in Cuban waters. THE WAR FEVER IN NEW YORK. Public Indignation in New York and Brooklyn on the Virginius Outrage— ‘War Demanded by the Whole People— How the News of Additional Execu- tions Was Received—The M Meet- ings—Affairs at the Navy Yard—s: ing of the Kansas. The popular excitement regarding the slanghter of the captives from the Virginius was in no wise abated in this city up to about one o’clock yester- day afternoon, when it suddenly was aroused to wildness by the circulation of a report that all the remaining captives, to the number of 111, had been executed. The report first found its way into Wall street and purported to be based upon a de, spatch from Washington. In an hour some of the evening papers had ‘extras’? on the street announcing the bloodly finale to this lingering tragedy, and the indignation rose to the bursting” point. The newsboys ran like couriers through the thoroughfares, crying at the limit of their lung power, “Extree! Full account of another horrible butchery by the Spaniards! All the prisoners from the Virginnus killed in Cuby!’? The papers sold rapidly, and as men perused the startling and shocking announcement they were utterly lost for lauguage in which to express the intensity of their feelings. “Isn't this terrible?” asked a gentleman of an acquaintance, whom he met at the entrance to the Post Office. “It must come at last—war is the only way in which this affair can be settled in honor to ourselves as @ people and in vindication of the in- terests of civilization.” -*What do you mean? Is there any more news of the Virginius affair ?"” “why, yes! Haven't you seen it?’ They’ve shot the remainder of the prisoners, 111,” rejoined the original speaker. “Oh, well, that settles it. Ihad not heard that; but that is infamous and wicked,” was the response, “Ldon’t know, of course, but 1 don’t see how it can be settled short of war, and, for my part, I hope it will lead to that and wind up this whole Cuban question”? THIS WAS THE SENTIMENT everywhere expressed, and a HERALD reporter, im a whole afternoon’s wanderings and conversations, found but one man who thought the Virginius peopie bad got what they deserved. Singularly enough, too, he was not a Spaniard, and it was hard to tell what he was. A little later the repert was modified so that it appeared that the additional executions made “li victims in all,” thus giving the impression that 58 hew executions had taken place, and eyery one at once volunteered the “I told you so, They'll Kilt every one of ’em, and then ask our government ‘What are you going to do about it ?” Next came the announcement that the news had reached Washngton whilc THE CABINET WAS IN SESSION, and that it had created intense feeling among the members, and that alter the Cavinet had adjourned one of the members had remarked :—‘‘Well, ordi- narily, | am for peace; but now I am for war.”” This lent fuel to the fires that promised to con- sume the popular reason, and men talked bitterly and wildly. When the news had become somewhat bruited about there were not less than 20 persons resentin the rooms of the Amigos de Cuba, in Exchange place, and in two minutes alter the re- volting intelligence had reached these headquar- ters the place was empty. Everybody bolted straight out to inform his neighbor or friend, many of them, indeed, hastening to convey the tidings of deatirto those who were absent and had RELATIVES ON THE VIRGINIUS. Seflor Trujillo, the proprietor of a Cuban restau. rant in Pine street, met the reporter in the street and anxiously inquired if there was any verifica- tion of the report, He has two brothers in the Jated party, Indalecio and Ricardo, aged re- spectively 23 and 21 years. He is not awi yet as to whether they have been already executed, but if all were ktiled of course it would decide his doubts, He has already served three years in the patriot forces and has had the calf of his leg shot off, but he announces his firm determination to enter the Cuban ranks again it his brothers are put to death, In addition to cheir, suffering he ts harassed by the knowledge that his father and two other brothers have already been banished to Fernando Po, on the African coast, lor Participation in the struggle for liberty and inde- pendence. The Cuban League. The Executive Committee of the Cuban League of the United States met again yesterday alter- noon at the Astor Honse. Mr. Charles Watrous, the Vice President of the League, occupied the chatr, After the reading of tue minutes of yester- day’s meeting by Colonel Lockwood, the Secretary, General Kilburn Knox reported, on behalf of the Committee of Six, appointed yesterday to make arrangements for @ mass meeting, under the au- spices of the League, that the hall of the Cooper Institate could not be secured, as some parties had engaged it for a moral Wax works exhibition for every night next week, and were not willing to givo it up even for a suitable compensation, The committee had, therefore, taken no further steps in the matter. Tammany Hall had, however, been offered to General M.T. McMahon at’ a nominal rent, The report was unanimously adopted, after which General Van Alen proposed that Steinway QONTINUED ON TENTH PAGE. ®