The New York Herald Newspaper, November 19, 1873, Page 3

_—< CUBA. Arrival of the Virginius at Havana with Spanish Colors at Her Masthead. Fifteen of the Virginius’ Passengers Sentenced to Imprisonment. ————— WAMES OF THE VICTINS OF THE “8TH” —+—— The Spanish Cabinet Desire to Settle Honor- ably, but Must Have Cuba. THE SPANISH CABINET. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD, A Satisfactory and Honorable Settie- ment, but Cuba To Be Held. MapRD, Nov. 18, 1873, ‘The Spanish Cabinet are unanimously in favor of @ satisfactory and honorable settlement of the Vir- ginius difficulty, but regard the maintenance of the integrity of Spanish territory as essential. Spanish Press Advice For a Rupture of Relations. MADRID, Nov. 18, 1873. The Diario Espajiol, the organ of the Alphon- sists and hostile to the prescnt Ministry, advises the government to send General Sickles his pass- ports. THE NEWS FROM CUBA. Ais ee TELEGRAMS TO THE NEW YOK HERALD. The Steamer Virginius Avrived at Ra~- vana Under Escort of Spanish War Vessels. HAVANA, Nov. 18, 1873. arrived here at two She entered the harbor A pro- cession was formed, consisting of the Isabella la Catolica and another man-of-war in advance, the Virginius following, and her captor, the gunbo: ‘Tornado, bringing up the rear. In this order they passed up the harbor, the shores of which were Mined with crowds of There was some The steamer Virginius @clock this afternoon. with the Spanish colors at her masthead, citizens. cheering along the lines of spectators as the Tor- Dado passed. bi Terms of Imprisonment of Fitteen of the Virginius P: of “the 8th’—Communication Cut off oners—The Murder Roll Between Manzanillo and the Interior— Fright of the Townspeopie. Havana, Noy. 18, 1873. Of the members of the crew of the steamship Virginins who were not killed by the Spaniards at Santiago de Cuba four chain gang for lile, three to eight years’ imprison- | ment, eight to four years’ imprisonment, and three | Were set at liberty. were condemned to the The following are the names and ages of THE CUBANS SUOT ON THE STH INST, Artnio Loret Mola, 18 years, 6 montis. Augustin Varona, 28 years, Oscar Varona, 19 years, Guillermo Vols, 24 years. José Boite, 26 years. Salvador Penedo, 23 years, Enrique Castellanos, 29 years. Augustin Santa Rosa, 40 years. Justo Consuegra, 25 years. © Francisco Porrapita, 19 years, José Otero, 27 years. Herminio Quesada, 18 years, All the above were well known in the island, several having seen service already in the Cuban army. FRIGHT OF THE INHABITANTS OF MANZANILLO. Owing to the continuous cutting of telegraph | wires In the vicinity of Manzanillo, news from the | latter place, up to the 14th inst., has just been re- | ceived by steamer to Batabano and from thence telegraphed here. The people were in fear of another attack from™the Cuban forces, who still encircle the town and have cut of all | communication town and the interior. Additional barricades have been | constructed, and some of the streets leading | toward the interior are completely obstructed. Reinforcements of troops reached the city yester- day, and the crews of the 1ew gunboats in the har- bor came ashore at night todo guard duty and to assist in defending the city tu case of another attack. Alarge number of families have left the city, while others, espectaily women and children, have taken up their abode aboard of the gunboats and other vessels lying in the The houses of some of these families were burned and sacked during the last attack of the insurgents, RUMOR OF GENERAL VICENTE DEATH. Arumor, which nas been frequently circulated on former occasions, is that the Cuban General Vicente Garcia was killed during the attack on Manzanillo. between the harbor, TA Sails TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. The Daily Telegraph Advises the United States to Acknowledge the Belligerency of the Insurgents. Loxpox, Nov, 18, 1873, The Daily Telegraph of this morning has another leading article on the Virginius affair. {t says:— “Considerations of policy and humanity would | lead England to view favorably the annexation of Cuba to the United States. That the American government will await the reassembling of Con- gress before taking action in the Virgintus matter ts evidence that its policy will not be governed by popular clamor, We do not despair of a peaceful solution of the question, In view of the aifficulty the United States would experience ta retaining possession of Cuba if annexed we would advise the government of that country to acknowledge the belligerency of the insurgents and ultimately guarantee the independence of the island, asking {n return the abolition of slavery.” NAVAL MOVEMENTS, | Will be set to work on NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. tary and Constructor up stairs an@ into the | quently the orders and other papers had to be sent presence of Admiral Rowan. The Captain of the receiving ship Vermont was notified at once to fire the proper SALUTE OF NINETEEN GUNS. ‘The order was complied with, the guns belching forth the requisite number of blank cartridges in rapid succession, The Secretary requested that Chie! Engmeer Henderson, in charge of the steam engineering department of the yard, he sent for; 80, Chief Engineer Sewell, in charge of the ma- chinery afloat on this station; Captain Mead, In- spector of Ordnance, and one or two other officials. With these officers along conversauon was had, extending over an hour and a half, They were closely questioned as to the materials and labor of their several departincnts, and instructed con- cerning the necessity of exercising care, with ex- pedition and despatch, in the discharge of the re- sponsibiltties of their several offices. Upon the con- clusion of the conference the Secretary visited afew of the departments, and then drove off, the “ma- vine guard” at the gate “turning out,” and pre- senting urims to the Secretary as he was driven by, WHAT THE CHIEF OF CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIRS SAYS. The writer had a brief conversation with the CMmei of the Buréau of Construction and Repairs, Mr. Isaiah Hanscom, upon the Cuban question, during which he satd that “the government meant business; there could be no mistake on this head, Vex were being fitted out with all despatch, ana the object of the visit of the Secretary was to confer upon the subject of construction and re- pairs, that he may be personally apprised of the exa ondition of the work of preparation. He be- lieved that in the course of three weeks, at- the farthest. the government would have a very fine fleet of vessels m Cuban waters. Tere would prob- ably be 1s 20 ships of war there by that time, and this squadron would be reinforeed con- stantly, if necessary. Of course, war can- not be declared by apy other authority than that of Congress, but inquiry would be made by our fieet as to the exact position of the Virginius at the time of her capture, whether she was on the high seas orion British waters.” The reporter inquired as to how this important ques- tion of locality was to be decided unless they were first to “knock the shackles of” the survivors of the massacred crew of the Virginius, “They would, of course, have to be taken betore that poipt in Cispute could be settled,” rejoined the Chiet, He felt perfectly satisfied that the administration “meant business,” but Congress must approve the acts. JUNIATA, The Juniata, Commander D, L. Brame, did not sail yesterday, owing to the unsettled condition of the weather, She received an addition to her RECRUITS are coming into the yard at the rate of 12 and 15 per day. The “runners,” whose business it is to lurk about the haunts of seamen in New York and hem that they can get them shipped in upon pa nior $10, are doing a good business just now. There is not, however, the slightest Occasion for a sailor to put himself under the shark-like protection of these ‘runners,’ whose only object is to feece him, Any man fit Jor sea service can ship-at the rendezvous or on board the Vermont upon personal application. VISITOR CLUDED FROMTHE YARD. In accordance with instructions of Captain the nav Chandler, wo acts upon the orders of the Admiral, was announced last evening that, for the ture, visitors other than representa- tives of th press are to be excluded from the Navy Y: ‘This order proceeds from the fact rd. that the rush of people during the past two weeks | has bi SO great ti yard has been tnt UH The force at the terday. More mei Ken On ea a rapidly as they can be made available by the mas ter mechanics of the several departments, York on the Colorado is being pushed forward ‘The Minn breast the d at the regular business of the fered with, ck, and a large force of men her, THE MI RSOTA. Mr. Morehouse, the active mate who superin-, tends the movements of vessela at the yard, as- serted yesterday that, in ms judgnient, it wonld not be possible to put the Minnesota tn condition for sea before the Ist of April, As for the Roanoke, of which so much h been written, she ts not fit for servioe except in the harbor—that is, if his opinion be the correct thing, and his long experi- ence and iamilierity with all these vessels and their quaitfications 1ends weight to Mate More- house's diagnosis. ‘The monitor Dictator, now at New London, wih be taken to Brooklyn for repairs in a lew uays, Her destination is Cuba when ready. ‘Phe Doubile-Turreted Monitor Terror and Three Other Monitors To Be Made Ready for Caba. PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 18, 1873. The donble turreted monitor Tarrer is ordered to be made immediately ready for Cuban waters. She is one of the largest war ships in the service. ‘Two other formidable monitors are ordered to be repaired at the earliest moment, They will be put under way in the morning. The Naval Construc- tor here is doing all in his power to get the ships ready, and, could the mechanics be untram- melled, there would be no fear of the immediate preparation of all s! ordered out to sea. Activity in the Navy Department—A Serics of Changes in Connection with the Getting Ready. WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 1873. Lieutenant Edward N. Kellogg is ordered to the jron-clad steamer Saugus as executive officer at Key West, Fla. Lieutenant Commander William Whitehead is ordered to temporary recruiting duty at Cleveland, Ohio, Lieutenant Zera L. Tanner is ordered to temporary recruiting duty at Butfalo, N.Y. Lieutenant Arthur H, Fletcher is ordered to tue temporary command of the receiving stip at Washington, D, C. Lieutenant James A, Chesley and Surgeon Thomas N. Penrose are ordered to temporary recruitimg duty at Cleveland, Ohio, Master Charles T, Norton and Passed Assistant Surgeon FE. H. Ware to temporary recruiting duty Buttalo, N. Y. Paymaster Ambrose J, Clark to duty in charge of stores at Key West, Fla. First Assistant Engineer Robert L. Harris to recruiting duty at Baltimore. Lieutenant Commander E. T. Woodward 1s detached irom the Saugus and ordered to return home and report on his arrival, Master John B. Rodman 1s detached from the Michigan and or- dered to the Juniata. Master F. Jpton is de- tacned from the Juniata and piaced on waiting or- ders. Assistant Paymaster Frank Bissell has been detached from duty in charge of stores at Key West, Fia., and ordered to remain on duty there agassistant to Paymaster Clark. assistant Pay- master E.R. Calhoun is detached trom the Sangus and ordered to return home and report his arrival. Assistant Paymaster Frank H, Clark from special duty at Key West and ordered to the Saugus. Work at the Gosport Navy Yard=—rhe Iron-Ciad Mahopac Being Rapldiy Made Ready=The Mahopac and Man- hatian to Join Admiral Scott’s Squad- ron. NonronK, Va., Nov. 18, 1873. ‘The fitting out of the iron-clad Mahopac at the Gosport Navy Yard for the Cuban waters continues with the greatest activity day and night, and everything nece y to put her in proper trim for active service is being done. The stir and bustle visible attracts the looker-on. Messengers may be seen hurrying to and from the various oficial headquarters, carrying despatches and orders. The orders previously given to Captain kK. K. Owens to take command of the Mahopac were revoked and he was ordered to duty in the Navy Yard in charge of the ordnance and navigation bureaus. In this department he is ordered to use every exertion to push matters for ward with the utmost despatch, and his well known activity is a guarantee that the work will be promptly and careiuily attended to, Various ru- mors were in circulation as to the receipt of im- portant orders, but a proper reserve on the part of the oficial was noticeabie. Lieutenant Comman- der ©, BE, Clark is looked for here to take the com- m™ t of the Matropac as executive oficer on the th inst. The steamship Powhatan is expected from Phila- deiphia to convey the Manhattan and Mahopac to Key West, there to await orders trom Admiral Scott, commanding the squadron, The United States steamer Gettysburg, which ar- rived here on Sunday, proceeded at once to the Navy Yard, where she discharged her stores and landed the men to complete the crews of the Mahopac and Worcester. The Gettysburg has been newly fitted horoughly aquippes to temporarily replace the Tallapoosa, which has been lying up lor repairs. She is in command of Lieutenant D. G. McRitchie. From her speed and light draught of water she is admirably fitted as the tender of a tagship, and this doubtless will be her eventual duty. Her oMcers and crew are the same as those of the Tallapoosa. va Secretary Robeson in Consultation with OMcials at This Station—The Govern- ment Means Business. ‘The event at the Brooklyn Navy Yard yesterday Was the visit of Secretary Robesun. That dis- tinguishea member of the national Cabinet was driven throngh the York street entrance of the yard while the bell was ringing for the workmen to return to work, about 10 minutes berore one Alter a short delay here she starts tor New York. Tho steamer Worcester (Magship), of the North Atlantic squadron, which was to have dropped down the Roads on Sunday afternoon, was pre- vented doing 80 by the severity of the gale yester- day, and she did not weigh anchor until pine o'clock this morning. She was engaged af day yesterday in recetving ammunition from the maga- vine at Fort Noriolk, and a government tug was kept busily engaged going to and fro from the ship to the ort, rurnishing the necessary stores, coal and ammunition. t nine A, ovclock. The Secretary, Who was accompanied by Mr, Isaiah Hanscom, Chief of the Bureau of Con- strnction and repairs, alighted from the cab In front of the Lyceum Butiding, and was recetved by Cavtain Rah Chandi, Who csacorted the Segre- M. she dropped down to the anchorage, where she immediately set about, adjusting her compasses: preparatory to sailing at twelve midday, The Seaied orders of the Worcester arrived here, but she bad asiready passed Fortress monroe and was in the neighborhood of the Capes; conse: a Was taken alongside the | alter her by the mail boat au the Navy Yard. VOLUNTEERS FOR CUBA, + A Company of One Hundred and Thirty Organized at Kingston N. ¥. Crry or Kinasion, N, Y., Nov. 18, 1873. A company of 130 men have been organized for service in Cuba, They have engaged a ériil master and are to begin a thoreugh drill, There is much feeling here over Cuban affairs, and the general sentiment is In favor of the capture of the istand, A Post of the Grand Army of the Re- public at Bridgeport, Conn., Offer Thei Services for Revenge. Bripaerort, Conn., Nov. 18, 1873. Since the Santiago massacre there has been a constantly increasing excitement on the subject, and so strong has the public teeling become that it has at last taken shape ina definite action, At a meeting of Post Elias Howe, Jr., No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic, on Saturday evening, the 15th, a set of strong resolutions were passed, condemn- ing the recent Cuban outrage, and a ten- der of the services of the post in a body was for- warded to the President to aidin avenging the insult to the nation. The following paper was cir- culated through the city this morning, and now has upwards of 40 signatures, including the name of Lieutenant Colonel Allen, of the Seventeenth Connecticut Volunteers We, the undersigned, citizens of the United States, be- iny thacthe spanish government has transgressed on the neutral iawas of several different, nations, in- lading our own, do heveby voluuteer to take gap arms ht against the said Spanish governmendin favor of the Cubans, who are now struggling ior their inde- pendence. The leaders in this matter declare it to be their intention to start for Cuba as soon as 100 men are enlisted, whether war with Spain is declared by the United States or not. THE NEWS FROM WASHINGTON, ae SR RL Ss A Cabinet Mecting, But Nothing New— Views of Prominent Navai Officers on the Respective Merits of the Spanish and United States Navics—Spain Said To Be in a Conciliatory Mood. WASHINGTON, Nov, 18, 1873, It was generally believed the Cabinet session to- day would have additional information of an ofi- cial character from either Minister Sickles or Con- sul General fiall, relative to the recent outrages at Santiago de Cuba, but there was nothing to has aleady been made public. <A feature of the conversation to-day at the session was the exist- ing activity in naval matte satisiaction with the promptitude of naval oficers and employés generally in responding to the orders of the department, to the end that the service shall soon be in a siate of efliciency. OPINIONS OF NAVAL OFFICE Naval officers have been approached relative to the comparative strength of the Spanish and American navies. While a majority of them know, from reports which for some years past have been officially sent to the department, the formidable character of the Spanish war ships generally, they have no fear from that fact. Even should war result, it would not be, excepting so far as the isiand of Cuba is concerned, a war of in- vasion on our part, and the naval wariare would notbe on the high seas, but confined to the Cuban coast and to ports of the United States, which many prominent officials here think would be thoroughly protected by iron-clad monitors and torpedo obstructions, Old naval officers who have seen rome active ser- vice on our iron-clads, even before they were brought to the present state of efficiency, declare, without hesitation, that exe of our monitors could sink a Spanish man-Oi-war in a close contest in a few minutes. Our monitors, having but little hull visinie—only 18 inches above the water line—are practically invulnerable, and even the part exposed could be still further protected if deemed neces- sary by means of fenders. A Spaniard could of course decline a fight by running away from the monitor, and the latter not being constructed for speed could not make a successful pursuit, but alter the action should be commenced and the two ~vessels be in close quarters our monitor would soon disapie its opponent. The Spanish war steamers, which are represented to be of such a formidable character, are plated with iron to the extent of four inches thick, but within 1,000 yards of a monitor this would be considered of little importance in the ace of one of our powerful 15-inch guns, in which are used from 80 to 100 pounds of powder at a single discharge. The Spanish iron-clads being constructed after the modei of ordinary vessels, present a large hull above the water line, afford- ing fine marks for our gunners. The most vulner- able point about a monitor 1s the turret, which may be prevented from revolving by an enemy’s shot, but great care has been exercised to perfect them 1n this respect. Even should the turret be disabled the guns could be directed by means of the helm, Though this latter course would occa- sion some inconvenience it would not de- stroy the effectiveness of the monitor. Again, it has been said that American ships are deficient in heavy rifled ordnance, and that every foreign fighting ship is armed with guns of that class; but officers of experience express the opinion that the employment of rifled ordnance on armed sbips in preference to smoothbores is an anomaly if not a grave error. A vessel of war shouid be constructed to resist shot and shell at the shortest distance, and they argue that a rifled piece 18 inferior toasmoothbore atavery short range, say 500 or 1,000 yards, Generally the smootii- bore is just as effective at distances from 1,000 to 1,200 yards; or, as an old naval ofiicer who commanded a monitor during the war expressed it, “WhenI have got the work to do within 1,000 yards I don’t want any rified ord- nance,” oi monitors being next referred to, it was stated by one ofthe most prominent oficers of the navy that they can go to sea with perfect safety; but they should always have another vessel with them, for the reason that the com- passes on @ monitor, on account of the great mass of surrounding iron, work sluggishly and inaccurately, and another vessel is almost in- dispensable for them to steer by, especially at night; otherwise they are perfectly safe at sea, KEY WEST TO BE A DEVOT FOR SUPPLIES. Key West is to be made the grand depot of sup- plies for the North Atlantic fleet, and a full Pay- master, Ambrose J, Clark, has been ordered to duty there, with an assistant paymaster, SPAIN IN EARNEST FOR PEACE. Information received from Madrid shows that the Spanish government is In earnest in its pro- fessions of friendship for the United States, and expresses anxiety to do everything én its power, not only to preserve but to strengthen the peaceful relations now existing between the two countries. Apart from commercial relations Spain desires the mora! support of the United States im {ts effort to permanently establish a republican govern- ment in that country, received here gains credit that orders have been issued by the Spanish Admiraity to Spanish naval officers in the West Indies to observe the utmost caution in their movements towards vessels carry- ing the United States flag, and to do no act that would have the effect of adding to the present ex- citement in the United States growing out of the late unhappy occurrences at Santiago de Cuba, A FACT OF 1870, The capture of the Virginius recails in official sand other circles the fact that during the session of 1870 the Senate called upon the President to furnish ailinformation in the possession of the government showing whether, during the hostilities in Cuba, any American had been executed without proper trial, or any American vessels had been seized upon tte high seas, or the property of any American citizens had been confiscated or embargoed, &c. ‘The President's reply embraces 250 printed pages of correspondence and statements, showing, among other things, that the Mary Powell and the Aspinwall were not only seized by Spanish cruisers, but turned over to the Cuban prize court for adjudication, The Champion also had been seized and detained at Santiago de Cuba, a place where the protection afforded to the lives and interests of American citizens was very inadequate. These incidents, remarked General Si@kles to the Spanish Minister of State, had caused @ most pail impression, ond thatae engag” the attention of the meeting further than | There is general | ‘rhe question as to the sea-going qualities | and hence the report | been directed by our government to ask for an explanation of the apparently intentional indis- position to accede to the just and reasonable de- mands of the United States, The Lioyd Aspinwall wag bound on a legal voyage from Port au Prince to Havana, bearing important despatches trom the Minister of the United States at Hayti to his gov- ernment, and also despatches from the officer in command of one of the vessels of war of the United States of the West India squadron, She was arrested by the firing of a gun from a Spanish man-o!l-war, and then boarded and taken to Nuevitas, Secretary Fish, in ,a letter to the Spanish Minister at Washington, called his atten- tion to the decree, then lately issued by the Captain General of Cuba, contemplating interference with the commerce of the United States, and asserting that the freedom of tne ocean can nowhere and under no circumstances be yielded by the United States, the high seas contiguous to those of the Island of Cuba being the direct pathway ofa large part of the purely domestic trade of the Uuited States. If Spain, he said, he at war with Cuba the United States will submit to those rights which public law concedes to belligerents. Such seizures were characterized by the Secretary as wanton injuricg, and the United States could not allow such acts to pass unquestioned or with- out full reparation. Alter much corre- spondence anda delay of three or four montis the Lloyd Aspinwall was set at liberty and proper compensation subsequently made, It appears from the documents that the Governor of Santiago de Cuba, quoting the words of the general com- manding the Department of the East, said, in an oficial communication, that by the national laws every foreigner setting foot on Spanish territory in the attitude of war, and who is taken with arms in his hands, is lable to the penalty of death with- out process, consequently Speakman and. Wyeth suffered punishment without an ascertainment of their nationaltty, COLORED SYMPATHY FOR THE CAUSE. The colored citizens of the District of Columbia will hold @ mass meeting on Thanksgiving Eve, to give expression of their sympathy for the Cuban ATION. [From the Washington Chronicle, Nov. 18.) President Grant, maconyersation with a rep- resentative of the Chronicle yesterday at the | Honse, stated that it would not subserve lie ence in relation tothe Virginins affair and the complications growing out of it at the present time, as only a small portion of the facts necessary to a e pub- cially known. so grave 2 mat ; Without first upon all the e: The government could not act in er as the ope nnder consideration obtaining accurate information ssential points involved. By the correspondence would be made public. He coni- dently anticipated a peaceful and satisfactory settiement of the Cuban troubles, but thought best, however, to be prepared to protect the American flag and citizens at all hazards; and if war becaine necessary the United States would be found better prepared than peopie supposed, having a large body of well disciplined men ready to be called into se » With necessary arms and ammunition. The President’s Position [From the Washington Republican. The closest attention has been given to the whole subject bythe President himself, and whatever shall be done by him in the premises will, we are certain, meet the Just expectations of all who, while sympathizing with the Cubans, desire at the same time that whatever may be done by the government shall be in ac- cordance with law, and not prompted by passion, the clamor of the houror a hasty and ill-con- sidered view of the circumstances which at present imfuence the public mind, No American, however deeply he may sympathize with those who have suffered by the murders at Santiago de Cuba, can expect the government to hastily resort to force in the absence of well ascertained facts which, when they are Known, may justify the most stern and decisive measures. The President is free in his utterances concerning nis duty in the matter, and only yesterday said that this government will take care that the national flag shall be everywhere re- spected and American citizens everywhere pro- tected in all their rights. Noy. 18.) War or No War in Cuba, [From the Washington Chronicle, Nov. 18.) The existing complication with Spain, on ac. been the necessary result of Castilian pride. In times of peace, under our treaties of amity and commerce, as well as in conformity with the prin- ciples of international law, the people of the United States have the right to trade with the people of Cuba on equal terms with the most favored nations. This would include the right to buy and sell arms and munitions of war, as well as other articles of com- merce, Firearms, powder and lead, shot and shell, side-arms, ordnance, armed ships and equip- ments, uniforms and rations, may be bouglt in Cuba for sale in the United States, or in the United peace as innocently as sugar and molasses, cotton fabrics and woollen goo¢s, agricultural implements and school books. Nothing can be contraband of war passing in trade between the citizens of two countries at peace with each other and the rest of mankind, A nation must be actually engaged in a public war before the right to exclude importation of arms and munitions of war can legally exist; and the right to inhibit such imports must first accrue before the right of search ol merchant ships of triendly Powers can legally exist. With this plain statement of public law, which will not be questioned by any one familiar with | the subject, the question becomes important whether or not a public war does in fact exist in Cuba between tw@ recognized combatants. If such a war does exist the inlubition of contraband of war would be legal, and tne search oi merchant ships on the high seas to prevent such imports would also be lawiul. But even in that case the ship itseli, other than an armed vessel or “ship-of- war,” could not be libelled, nor any of the cargo, except the goods whose import was legally pro- | mibited. And what is of still greater consequence, | the existence of a public war, ana the attempt to carry in contraband goods as merchandise, by citizens of a neutral Power, is not a crime for which they can be legally punished, otherwise than by the confiscation of such goods. The Spanish authorities have, however, per- sistently insisted that there is no war in Cuba, and have remonstrated against the recognition of the patriots as beliigerents by the United States, It does not, therefore, lie in her mouth to claim the rignts of a belligerent while she continnes to insist that no war exists, She must content herself to be on one side or the other of this question. not be at war with the so-cailed tnsurgents and not at war with them at the same time. She says she is not at war. If not, as before ooserved, she cannot claim the right of a belligerent to prohibit the importation of j arms and other war material for sale to her people, nor to arrest and search merchant ships ou the high seas. In doing so her oficials have committed a high crime, for which she should ve held to strict account, aside from the re nb wholesale murder of the officers, crew and passer. gers of asbip sailing on the highway of nations under American colors. This item in her long cat- alogue of offences against our citizens would have been inexcusable had she admitted the existence of @ public War between herself and another beilig- erent; tor in that case she would have had no right to put to death citizens of a neutral country for attempting to carry contraband of ‘war to her enemies, {t would be as innocent to carry and sell such goods to her enemies as to herself, The only penalty which could legally ve inflicted for such an act, ac- coreg the common judgment of mankind, would be the loss of the goods if captured by the other belligerent. kven if the officers, crew and passengers cap- tured with the Virginius were all hostile to the government of Cuba and intended to join the so- called lngurgenta, $0 long as they kept @ marine league irom the shores of Spanish territory they had the undoubted right to sail where they chose. ‘The intention to commit a crime against Spain— even a conspiracy, to do so entered into else- where—could not rightfully be inished by Spain until the parties come voiuntarily within their ex- clusive jurisdiction and verify such purpose by some overt act, inconsistent with a peaceful and law-abiding purpose. Hence the conduct of the Spanish authorities in Cuba is unjustifiable, considered irom any possible standpoint consistent with the facts. It is, there- fore, probable that Spain will not only disavow the act oi the Cuban oficials, but also accede frankly to any demand which our government would be just le in making ander the circumstances of the present perilous condition of her government at foume, Phe Ought to atone’ for the wrong cause, Frederick Douglass will be one of the speakers. et rene | THE PRESIDENT ON THE SITU- yhite | interest to publish the incomplete correspond- | full and proper adjudication of the case were ofti- | time Congress assembled it was hoped that a defi- | nite result would be reached, when the complete | count of the conduct of her officials in Cuba, has | States forsale in Cuba, landed and sold in time of | She cun- | by ® proper «disavowal of act indemniying our citizens for tne loss Ki their La gy by making provisions for the | famthes of the siain, and the prompt dismissal and punishment of the Cuban omciais who are directly responsible for these bloody and cruel outrages. Should she refuse to make ample redress it 1s clearly the duty of the United States to inflict ex- emplary punishment on Spain at any cost. And if Spain should make the required conces- sions and prove to be unable to carry them into effect it will as clearly become our duty to deal di- rectly with the offenders, either with or without the consent of Spain. If with her consent it wiil not involve her ina war with us; if without her | consent it would still remain our duty to punish | these criminals. Had Spain admitted the belligerency of the Cuvan patriots and claimed the rignts of a be)- ligerent herself, she could have more easily es- caped these complications, And it is now doubt- iul if our government has not, ont of courtesy to Spain, delayed such recognition quite long enough, NEW YORK AND THE ISSUE, Peopie Moderating, but Firm—The Mass Mecting—Senator Sumner’s Letter— Arms for Spain. : At last public sentiment shows some sign of crys- tallization into a healthy tone, that discusses witii- out passion and with reasonable moderation al ; the probabilities of war with Spain and the posst- course to arms. But, beyond question, the general sentiment of this country is for *‘war.”” The people have got it into their heads that Spain has always been arrogant and contemptuous toward the United States and that the limit of human, or at. least of national, endurance has been overstepped by ber this time. Cupang and American sympathizers with the cause of Cubaare extremely jubliant over the | Sreatsuccess which attended the mass meeting on Monday night, and the fighting element, which is | 90 per cent of the population, and which has no | | Special sympathy with anything bap the United | States, were Inecstacies over the demand made | by the great, popular voice. | | _ There was considerable surprise manifested yes- | | terday by many persona in consequence of the tnator Suin- Committee of — the | suppressed, — instead | mass meeting, as | other distinguished | alion denies, bh | «din iime to have been | submitted on that occasion, and that it did not 1 New York untii yestercay. He stated, how- | that it would most unquestionably have been presented and road ifit had been eived in time, It will be made public at a meeting of the Execu- | | tlve Committee at an early day, A member of the | |E tive Committee who bad | Sumnption that a letter uddressed by + the Leagt read Executive was at ner to | Cuban the € General } that tue letter was ri > ad the letter said thatit was short and of moderate tone, Sumner took the ground that the United 8 shouid rgist on justice to Cuba and the e | Won of all slaves in the ad, but ops action on the part of government | would tend to weaken the repnbli | in Spain or embarrass President Cast | character he expressed a high opinion. | itis understood that among t! ‘o taken out | by (he steamship Wilmington, which sailed yester- | day tor Havana, were some ton rifies for the Spanish gov ut, the Weapons | being intended for the use of the volunteers. seems a little anomalous that while the natic crying aloud for vengeance on a fore; national shopkeepers with the anticipated adversary in arms and other material detence. Of course it 18 Inwiul, and ilu trates imu sirtking manner the beauties and h monies of civilization aud the great iaternity of ns and peoples, Miss Kate Field addressed to General MeMahon a letter on Mouday last, of which te jollowing is an extract:— Were I not to lectute in Wiltiamsbur| aud were we women nut left out an movement, ar, of Whose ny heart | J relate would prompt me to go asad, sad story. Butt have | rel Americans that Mie. Cespedes, wife of the President of , Cuba—herself and two children living on charity— | has come to me with tears in ler grea: black eyes, In behalf of her 13 boys and girls made fatherless by Spanish butchery! Yell them that the muraered Ces- | pesies—her brother-in-law—leaves eizht children; that | oth ut Tell them that these desolate children are in | ica, almost on the brink of starvation, sometimes | having but tive cents a day with which to buy tood, ‘Yell them that the wife of President Ces} asks tor | money enough to bring those chi y York and | Piace them in an asylum until %. No hearts are more gen touched. Touch them, ¢ | ence tor help; ask them f can give, and assure then erly husbanded. th they ars eral. Ask your great ‘audi- | us much oras litle as they tha: the mouey will be proj- ACTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA. COLUMBIA, Noy. 18, 1873. The following resolutions were adopted to-day by the State Legislature now in session:— Whereas, in the recent captute of the Virginius and in the inhuman butchery of her passeugers, Spanish vessel of war, humanity and civilization have been outraged, and the comity of nations, as | well as the jainest pri! jes of interna- tional law, violated; and whereas, in the arrest on the high seas of a vessel sail- img under the American flag, and Wy virtue of ; an American registry, tne territory of this { Republic has been» invaded by a@ foreign power; and whereas, in the murder, without notice to this government or without a fair trial, of per- | sons claiming to be American citizens, the fiag of our country hes been insulted and defied by the Spanish authorities in Cuba, aud whereas Cespedes, the President of the Cuban Republic, has main- tained a condition of war tor five years in the vin- | tion of haifa million of human beings irom bond- age: and whereas it becomes a free people to sym- pathize with those struggiing to be free, and be- hooves @ republican government always to uphold | | the honor of its fag and the dignity of its citizen- ship at all times and under ail circurmstances; | therefore, be it | Resolved, By the Senate of South Carolina, now convened and sitting in special session, that this | body has heard with indignation and abhorrence of the outrage upon the national flagin the case of the steamer Virginius and of the barbarous execution ot her oficers, passengers and crew, Resolved, That this body sustains the :ederal ad- Ministration tn the instant and complete yindica- tion of the national honor and the {ullest and switt- est measure of retribution. Resolved, That this body extends to the strug- gling patriots of Cuba the expression of its most earnest sympathy, and is ready to hail with satis- faction the recognition by this government of their belligerent rights and the firm establisiment of pendent. OPINIONS OF PUBLIC MEN. General Banks on the Situation. Boston, Novy, 18, 1873, There are few men who have seen as much of public life and been as familiar with our foreign affairs, who are so fearless and outspoken on the Spanish massacre as General Banks, of Massachu- setts. He 1s one of those men wid look at a question from all avaliable standpoints, and, having once arrived at a conscientious and impartial con- clusion, he gives expression to views which are of a value far above those of a prejudiced partisan, ‘This Virginins aifair, whicu Nas excited such uni- versal indignation all over the country, has aroused the tre of the Waltham statesman to a pitch scarcely less than that of the most enthusi- astic advocate of Cuban independence, and he does not hesitate to express, m no unmistakable manner, the positive opinions which he entertains, 1 met the General in the Parker House this even- | ing. After a few commonplace remarks, he in- | quired earnestly if there was any fresh news from Cuba, [told him I had heard of nothing but what | he had seen in the evening papers, “It is a terrible affair’ he remarked, “and I am anxious to Know what will come from 1t.’” “Do you think the United States will make war | on Spain?’ I asked, “No, | hardly think that. Still, we can’t tell. The whole matter is in the keeping of the adminis- tration, and we must support its measures what- ever they are. ll of us who have a respect for the country and an interest in its welfare must do that. Nothing can be accomplished by any talked of plans of reparation. To begin with, Spain has no power to enforce her orders in the Island of Cuba and we all know she 1s too proud to allow or ask assistance, Any decree of condemnation she may make Of parties engaged in the Virginius affair will be interpreted as an honor to them, and while they receive the condemnation of the Spanish gov- ernment, they know it is not intended to degrade them and Spain will establish her reputation with the people Of both Spain and Cuba." ‘BUT ABOUT THR VIRGINIUS MURDERS?" “Tt is impossible to justify upon any grounds the massacre Of the passengers on the Virginius. If she had been captured while in the act of really running the blockade, those on board might have been properly held as prisoners, but no nation cal Justify their murder, and NO NATION EXCRPT THE UNITBD STATES would have telerated 1 for a single moment. the assumption of such writers as President Woolsey, of Yale College, that independent nations have no redress for the slaugitter of their citizens, as 4 this case, would lead to a perwetual war between ali countries, and, of course, such & theory canno! be justified for a moment. In this ease there is ho law and no pretext of aw which will affect ships on the hich sea8, and DO BAUER Can lemislate to de | CUBAN bilities of settlement oi the difficulty without re- | which | sot Reming. | dv | 1 Power the | are driving good bargains | | set ' high sea: %, | mitted were inhuman aud disronrtess+ ey vax under the cover of a court martial held on board a | dication of the freedom of Cuba and the emancipa- | prive ships of thetr national rights, If one of our vessels commits an offence against the laws of Spain or Cuba, she must capture the offender In her own waters or APPEAL TO THE UNITED STATES FOR REDRESS.” “Do you think, General, the victims of the Vire ginios had anything like a fair trial?’ “Not a bit of it. Even the pretext ofa trialis a sham, a farce and an outrage scarcely less in mag- uitude than the cruel massacre itself.” INDEPENDENCE AND WAR SHOULD BE RE- COGNIZED. ‘onsidering the situation of Spain and Cuba,’ said the General, “and the fact that a war has been maintained by the msurgent Cubans for more than five years—a war which Spain has been unadle to suppress—considcring also the fact that the people ~ in Cuba who are defending her cause are wholly independent of her orders and cannot be con- troiled by her government, it seems to me that the only recourse which the United States has for the | jury she has sustained is to recognize the state of war or the independence of the island, leaving: the parties to fight it out at their leisure under the rules of civilized warfare. Th be paint MEASURE OF PEACE AND NOT OF WAR. Spain ean take no exception to this action on the part ol the United States, itis what she. did for Us, without complaint on onr part, during the late civil war, Such a course will bring the struggle to an immediate te ton, and the country will be | Tefleved of the excitement attending these re- peated outrages, and then Spain can be called upon fo mak Y reparation which may be | thought to be necessary growing out of this afmair | of the Virginins, In my optnion it is irapossible for the volunteers in Guba to suppress the insur rection, and sooner or later the people of the United States will recognize that fact, and do for Cuba what they have always done in such cases for other nations,"” } “But what is the administration likely to ag about it 7 « “That's @ question not easily answered, but, whether or not the admmistration performs its duty at this crisis, the people will have made up their minds what views at the first opportunity that ls open to them, The result will be ‘ THE INDEPENDENCE OF CUBA, The United States does not covet the island, but it is mdispepsable that it should be free froin these | perpetuai excitements which unsettle the business of tae country and disturb our relations with ail the other States of the world, Spain cannot make war against us. She can keep np the war while we are at peace with her, but energetic and prompt action on the part of the American government Will suppress the war oa the part of her subjects im Cuba, and enabie us to continue the condition of peace, which We desire with all nations. The case ol the Virginius must ated under THE LAW OF NATIONS. is no stavute of the Untted States that y the matter. ‘The reference made by Gen- eral Cushing to the scatute of 1S08 has reierence ta the protection of American or naturalized citizens while resident in foreign States, and cannot be ap- plied to tuis case ‘in any manner or form, it was intended to enable the United States tu make re- prisals on foreign su 5 American’ citi4¢ velgn government on lid not revease ments ler ations Will reparation that that the Cubans 1 not hold citie ! titled to th | against | a Gove ects in ihis country whens s were artested by any the zround that navurali- ‘em frout allegiance bo the vyhich they were born. The ive us all the protection and » ‘the pretext aud that they do aad towns permanently is not ene slightest consideration. They rebel PONG AND MORE ATROs crot existed, and one that does not jor its acts. Yhey wan over land of 1 Cuban 1s the fue bub seek an to which tion they are entitled to.” than any that ever inde, | unde € | At Chis port the Geuerai had to go to the depot, | and the ibderview Was concluded, Views of Admiral Porter. Admiral Porter, who has had more experience in war and knows the eect it will have uson the country, when asked whether he thoucht war ' would resuit trom the present imbroglio and what he thought of the Virginius affair, replied that the ire Oj tue Virginius was a violation of internae tional law and an outrage to our fag upon the und that the other violent acts com. government and looked as if they had beem interference, and that done to prevent our both cases have to be atoned forin the most ample manner. it did not follow tiat war snould in consequence of those acts, for there was no; single offence that one nation might commit against another that. | conid not be settied amicably. All civilized na- tions had established a diplomatic code, whose | business it was to try all amicable means to setue differences beiore tryii.g the arbitrament of the sword, und this course was the more desirable as it irequently gave the injared nation the opportu. nity to prepare to redress the grievance in a man- | ner periectly satisiactory to herself. For instance, if this country should on the present occasion commit overt acts of war, such as waking re- prisals, it would be placing itself in a dilemma, inasmuch as we Were uot prepared ior war and might get the worst of it, which would be a doubie satisfaction to the Spantards ; while if we were to go to work in a calm, dignitied manner and prepare to obtain all the reparation we could demand, while diplomacy was exhausting all its arts, our redress in the end would not be the less substantial or satisiactory. It is found that those who mostly desire to go to war are persons of en- thusiastic feelings who do not always count tbe cost, and it is well or all governments that when men are placed in office ils feel the responsibility of plunging the country in a war and take a calm View of the situation. The confidence the people feel in rulers whom they elect to office ought to | satisiy the same people When they see these rulers not rushing’ to a hasty conciusion. People who go off half cocked are not always to be relied on, My own opinion is that we should exhaust the ‘Treasury rather than submit to this dignity. But, al the same time, Ido not think we snouid depart | Irom the usages of civilized nations on account of popular clamor. Now a popular excitement might incuce US to commit some rash act at the very moment the Spanish government, to whom we must appiy for redress, was doing all it could to muke reparation and indemnty us ior all that bas been done. | From ail Lcan learn no official information has | been received about the Virginius afair, and cer- tainly no action on the part of the government , conld be taken until the true facts of the case are known. It fhink it unwise ; to get up an excitement which will canse ‘almost as much loss commercially as the the Cuban Repubue, free, sovereign and inde- , ¢Ost of a War, and [ don’t think our citizens should lay aside their republican dignity and try and force the government to go into a war they might | live toregret. I think our whole navy should be placed at once in a condition to meet any emer- gency, and if war should follow through fault of the Spanish government then I go in for taking Cuba and removing the last vestige of Spanish authority irom this hemisphere. In the mean- time We must remember that we hold the same relations with Spain diplomatically that we do with Great Britain, and as the Spaniards are doing their bes: to ‘establish republican institu- tions we should not be the first to throw obstacles in the way of their doing so. On the contrary, on principle, we should yleid more to them than to Great Britain, lf Spain proclaims her inability to control the powers in Cuba, then we owe it to civilization and humanity to take possession of the island and put it under United States jaws. In the meantime let us keep a level head. No man ever made anytnin by getting into a passion, and the best fighters, am sure, were the coolest. I think this 1s a good opportunity to sheli out for the navy, and hoy when the hat is handed round for naval appropria- tions the people will remember they can’t @ their flag respected upon the high seas unless are willihg to have something better than a nat on paper; for this our navy certainly is, whic can be easily verified by an inspection of the old rookeries that encumber the navy yards. Our peo- pie are often astonished when they hear that one of our gunboats has sailed for Cuba With an 11-inch gun and sealed orders, but they will be equaliy surprised to know that the Spaniards have 61 gun- boats in Cuba, some oi them carrying 50 guns each, and can almost count 10 guns to our one. That, of course, would not discourage me in time of war; but it ought to discourage those who will only have Supers about the killed and wounded in the news apers. OPINIONS OF CONGRESSMEN. TON, Nov. 18, 1873, Views of Senator Hamilton, of Texas. Upon being asked as to his views regarding a war with Spain, senator Hamilton said that per- sonally he was strongly in favor of the acquisition of Cuba, but hoped that it might be accomplished without war. He thought that the United States, having by the ratification of the Washington Treaty established a precedent for settling imternationat differences by arbitration, would be obliged in the present case to first try this method of obtaining redress, and, if unsuccesstul, to resort to war. The South is and always has been in favor of the annexation of Cuba—more so, perhaps, betore the decree of liberation was made; but still they are practically a unit at the present time, and would respond with alacrity to any cal made for vyoiunteers. Being asked as to the cause of their enthusiasm, Mr. Hamilton replied that, primarily, because they were warlike in Their nature. There js and always has been alarge unem- ployed class in the South who are ret te engage in any revolutionary undertaking that offers, and who do not believe that sach action is wrong, but, on the contrary, patriotic, Wath re; toa war with Spaing the Senator thinks that the old CONTINUED ON SEVENTH PAGE to do, and put in force thei ~