The New York Herald Newspaper, November 21, 1873, Page 4

4 ON TO GU; Opinions of Public Men on the Situation. ! Views of Vice President Wilson, General B. F. Butler, Senator Stockton, Jongress- men Glass and Platt and Others. Views of Vice President Wilson. Boston, Nov. 20, 1873. Vice President Wilson, above all others in- timately connected with the administration, is deeply interested in the late outrage upon the American steamer Virginins, | met him at Young’s Hotel, in this city, to-day, and during a brief con- versation he spoke warmly and emphatically upon this question which has so thoroughly aroused the indignation of the American people. “Tt isa matter,” said General V Thave always felt a deep personal interest. A year or more before the war broke out in Cuba several ©uban gentlemen prominent in the revolution met me in Washington to consult upon the general question of anti-slavery and slavery. Of course I deeply sympathized with these | Tepresentatives of a liberal government, and | shared in their feelings and enthusiasm for the overthrow of the slavery. Ever since that time I have kept a close watch of afairs on the island, and they have been of a nature to harrow the feelings of the most hardened specimens of hu- manity. They have murdered and slaughtered men by tle hundreds, and this massacre of the crew of the Virginius is in perfect keeping with their otber outrages; and, of course, | cannot help but join in the indignation which prevails every- where. Some years ago, when I was in London, I was honored by a reception {rom a son-in-law of George Thompson, the renowned English abolition- ist, and there were many liberal and anti-slavery Cubans present, and from what I learned from them my knowledge and opinions of spanish out- rages Were confirmed. I have been in a position to know that, from the very beginuing of the war, they have been EXTREMELY CRUEL AND BLCODTHIRSTY. In addition to the natural atrocities of Spanish Wwarlare there is added the demoralization of slavery, and those wno believe in siavery have had their jerocity increased tenfold in consequence of the power and growing feeling arrayed against it. Those who believe in slavery have been demoral- ized by the system. This is a8 true of Cuba now as it was true of the South @ dozen or 15 years ago."* “But, General, What do you tuink is going to be the result of this 1? “I hope the time will come when, either by the success of the revolutionary men there or by the action of the home government, there will be an end put to such barbarities as this Virginius @itair.”” “But what do you think our owm government Will do abvut this latest outrage ' “The government must act upon some certain, defined principles, and not in a hasty passion. | When we du move we must move coolly und cau- tiously, but still with a determimed purpose. I don’t see, though, how the government can do Otherwise than put her available war vessels in readiness, and, in case hostilities should come, be in a condition not to be laughed at by the whole world. A great many Men Who sympathize with the revolution have in the past few months had faith that Spain herself would correct these con- tinued outrages of the last five years. If, even now, Spain should move earnestly and deter- minedly, it is not impossible that she might | Manage to reclaim and govern the island of Cuba.” | “What do you imagine is the general feeling of | Americans concerning the revolution?” “don’t see how any American, especially an anti-slavery man, can fail to sympathize with the Cuban movement, for the revolutionary element is | chiefly of anti-slavery inen, and the wiping out of slavery is one of the chiet motives of the rebellion. | think that in the end ~uba will belong to the United States. Its great “mercial importance, as well as lis sanitary aavantages, render it desira- ble that the tsiand shouid belong to this country, and, of course, if we acquired the territory slavery Would disappear at once and forever.” The Vice President has almost fully recovered from his late ected aegis andduring the last 10 days he las gained an average of a pound a day. He visits boston almost daily, and in his perambu- lations about tue city indulges in the exercise of walking rather than riding. He will leave for! Washingtun about the 27tn in and linger one or two days in New York and Philadelpma while en route. lie will take the chair upon the assembling of Congr but by the edvice of his physician will be caretul to avoid fatigue in periorming his duties, as well as to escape, us far as possible, the beseechings and entreaties of the army of office- seekers who are so often the terror, if not the death, of some of our most eficient public servanis, | Opinion of General Batler. Boston, Nov. 20, 1873. Notwithstanding the claims which ap extensive legal practice have nad upon the time and atten- tion of General Butler during the last few days, he has nevertheless found time to dwell upon the late atrocities at Santiago de Cuba. 1 calied upon the distinguished gentleman at his office, up in Pemberton square, this afternoon, and among Other things talked over was this grave ques- tion now uppermost in the public mind. The conversation between the interrogator and inter- rogated substantially as follows;— RePORTER—Are you willing to give your views on the Cuban complications? ANSWER. trust myself to give an opinion upon those mat- ters, because I am an original Cuban and made one of the Lone Star League at the time of the ex- ecation of Lopez and Crittenden under a demo- cratic administration. I was exceedingly indig- nant at the non-interference of the government then; but I was a younger man than I am now. It is always diMcult for two nations to DRIFT INTO A WAR on account of the miscondact of subordinate oficiais, provided the nations themselves are will- ing to do justice to each otier. As I understand the facts of our present complications with Cuba they are something like the —T with four or five revel chiefs, left our shores in VIOLATION OF OUR NEUTRALITY LAWS, carrying some 150 or 169 men recruited in the United States; that the Viryinius was a regularly registered American vessel and entitled to carry the American fag; that she came somewhere in the vicinity 0! Cuba with her passengers and arms for the succor of the insurgents, when sh seized by a Spauish vessel, which bad chased her | and overtaken her—lor want of , brobably— IN BRITISH WA that she was then captured, carried to Santiago de ion, “in which | | the slave trade was founded on the denial, even | on that coast, of the right of a cruiser of any na- | in actual hostilities, with arms in their hands, 18 a I hardly know whetner I ought to | P Virginius, | | treated as civilized combatants. NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1873.—TRIPLH SHEET. case of the capture of the Fiorida by Collins, and we can certainly demand no | But herein COMES A DIFPICULTY. I do not believe that the home government of Spam, with two insurrections against it on its own soil—the insurgents at Cartagena and Don Carlos in the mountains—has the power, through hey present Ministry, or, indeed, in her present form of government, to give us that satisfaction and reparation, except it is a formal one, and certatoly not to punish the officials in Cuba. Her troops there are regulars and volunteers. The regulars are largely Cariists, and opposed to the Cas- telar government, The volunteers are, almost to @ man, pro-slavery, and therefore opposed to the Castelir government for the proclamation of emancipation. I feel persuaded that if Vastelar should attempt to carry oui such measures as our honor demands that he must take in the premises it would be simply his overthrow, and, I tl IK TAR OVERTHROW OF THE SPANISH REPUBLIC. How far considerations of the stress of a sister republic—and the only one, In fact, in Europe, ‘or France ts hardly a republic in name—should deter us or restvain us from instantly pressing, even WITH ARMED FOROK, our rights, is @ question for wise statesmanship and the just consideration of the people. 1am led to believe that these executions tn Cuba have gone on against the peremptory and express orders of the Castelar government, and if so may it not be quite possible, if not probable, that it was dove by the Cuban oficials on purpose to embroil the United States with the Castelar government for its overthrow? If it should turn out to be the fact that SPAIN CANNOT CONTROL CUBA in this regard, then the United States, in my jndg- | ment, have but one thing to do, and that is to take the matter into her own hands and take POSSESSION OF THE ISLAND OF CUBA, settling the affair with Spain afterward by diplo- macy When she has a government with which to diplomatize. t do not see anything else that I desire to ada except to say that m any event I think there should be PROMPT, DECIDED AND RFFICIENT ACTION by the administration; and I have no doubt that it will be taken, to the entire sansfaction of the people. Certainly I think I can answer for it, with- out being empowered to speak for it in any manner, that the present administration will be no more supine or undetermined than was the democratic administration in the case of Lopes and Crittenden, Have you any other question to ask me ? RePoRTER—I do net think of any other subject in this connection. AnswER—Weil, that is all I know about it. Senator Stocktou’s Views. WaAsHINGTON, Noy. 20, 1873. In an interview with your correspondent Sen- ator John P. Stockton, of New Jersey, expressed his views fully on the question of the Virginius massacre. He says that the country is fully com- mitted to the doctrine that the flag covers all under it on the high seas, It was one of the main causes of our war with | England in 1812, and has always | passenger trafic been insisted upon by us and may be considered a part of the law of nations. Whether the intentions of those on board the Virginius were hostile to } Spanish rule in Cuba or uot is a question which has | Do place whatever in determining the right of the | Spanish authorities to board her and make pris- | oners of ailon board. There is no allegation that | the vessel was even suspected of being anything but what she turned out to be; no allegation that the fag was supposed fruudulently to cover any- thing but United States property regularly cleared | from a United States port. The treaty by which the great maritime Powers agreed to keep naval , forces respectively on the coast of Africa to suppress tion to violate the flag of another to ascertain whether suspicions of the character of a vessel might be weil founded. What, therefore, may have been found on board the Virginius calculated to sbow that her purposes was illegal, should have no place in the consideration of the present question. But whatever may be saic of the capture, the sub- sequent conduct of the Spanish authorities toward the unfortunate prisoners was a violation of the law of nations as well as of every principle of Christianity and humanity itself, The inhu- man butchery of helpless prisoners, even if they had been captured on the island direct violation of the modern rules of war, and it must not be Jorgotten that the atrocities were committed in cold biood by the commissioned ofmicers of Spain, acting under her autnority. it | Was notthe natural resuit which could have been | anticipated by those venturing within the feld Ol military operations, por was it caused by the | act ol insuTgents over whom the Spanish govern- ment had lost temporary control. — It was legai | the actof the Spanish government through their appointed. oMicials, so that the government of | Spain must not only condemn the act of seizure, but must disavow the act of and punish as criminals those who violated the laws | of war by shooting prisoners, however captured, | in coid blood. If it be true that the Spanish gov- ernment did allin its power by telegraph to pre- vent the wanton act of cruelty they cannot reiuse to punish the perpetrators as murderers. But it seems, aiso, on at least two occasions since the first sacrifice, intervals of several days, after it was alleged that the wires had been cut to prevent the reception of the messages of mercy, others of the prisoners were again shot down under circum- stances of equal atrocity, If these accounts are true, if we have no reason to donbt the good faith of the home government of Spain, then is it not true that walle she denies that war exists on the Island of Cuba she shows herself to | be unable to prevent the island from being an | asylum for pirates, who, clothed in her uni- forms and with her appliances of war. prey upon | those sailing on the high seas, and, bringing their | prisoners home, slaughter them imdiscriminately, | Without a judicial inguiry as to their several purposes, business or inientions, and in de- | spite of the orders of their own govern. | ment and without permitting the helpless | victims even to appeal to their own consulates ? | If Spain 1s helpless to prevent such outrages, how long should a great country to which her foreign ossessions are adjacent submit to their repeti- lion’ Lf the government of tae United states is | content, will the other Christian nations of the earth submit to it long? Our gov ernment should not be alarmed at the ap- prehension that we can be charged with a design to fasten a quarrel upon Spain in order to take advantage of her domestic troubles at home and thereby acquire possession of the island of Cuba. The history of the last five years has shown that the government of the United States has fuitilled ail it8 obligations to the =panisi government, and has even been severely cepsured by many ior permitting an inhuman to rage for so long in an ad cent to our coast without conceding belligerent | rights to both the belligerent parties, instead | of perinitting the Spani isers alone to use our ports whenever the ne jes of the war made it lmportant to them for any purpose, Whether it would be desirable ior the United States to acquire possession of Cuba, thereby losing a government | Tevenue of $45,000,000 annually from custums aad adding at this time to our population nearly | 500,000 ks, many of tb native Africans, | and the whole far inierior in intelligence to the ne- is much to be doubted; but that ch ia no way concerns tne govern f this country at this tim Spain “does not mean openly to defy the law of nations and throw down the gauutlet | to us must disavow the violation of our | flag. Jf she does not mean openly to dely not | only the law of nations but the laws of civiliza- tion, which are respected by all but savages, | she must denounce the continued jeast of | blood with which her soldiers have giutted | themselves. Lf she means that the United | States should preserve towards her and the Cuban insurgents toe present status of neutrulity she must give proof of her ability to prevent suc outrages as that of the Virginins by immediate punisiment of those who have done her so grievous an injury and forfelied thetr right to be If a large 1 United states vesseis had been cruising in ( waters at the time this capture and massacre could not have occurred. if a squadron sould be senu now, and should under siijlar ciroumstances re- Sent an attempt to repeat the occurrence, the r Cuba, jour of the insurgent —among whom ot Whom bad previously been tried under Spanish law in the Cnban ot aiter an immediate trial by naval I: that thereupon a large portion of the passengers of the Virginius were TCHERED IN COLD BLOOD. Now, al h the Cu going on for years g governinent have alway r | state of bell hey, and ail other nations Fespected that view of Spain, largely because | the insurgents held no port in Cuba with which to | communicate with the outside world. Now, if | there is NO STATE OF BELLIGERENCY between Spain and Cuba there ainly can be No state of war, and Sp: ot, ander treaties, | exercise the war pow ht of search and | seizure, or even Cause the examination of papers of @ neutral in Spanish water hd of course she cannot jollow sach vessel into otuer waters aud capture her, ‘Tne doctrine taat was held in THE TRENT CASE was that our proceedings were all wrong becanse the Trent was not brought in for adjudication, What form o1 adjudication could Sp ake in re- gard to the Virginius? There bei no state of war, she could not be a prize ol war. She can seized for any violation of Spain's municipal regula- tions because she WAS NOT IN SPANISH WATERS. She certainly cannot be deemed a pirate carrying an American register ana the American fag, and in making her way on the high seas and being re- ceived at Jamaica with comity and cordiality. For this VIOLATION OF OUR FLAG the most ample reparation s.ould be demanded, andthe advices had are that Spain is willing to Give that. For THE MURDER OF OUR OLTIZENS We are entitied uot only to the most ample repara- ton that can be made by Spain, but such condign unishinent of the offending subordinate officers ho did the murder as will insure the sacredness Of the American deck, which is American soil, and Insure respect to the ‘nationality of our citizens even when engaged in an unlawful attempt to ald insurrection in another country. It has*been said hat the Virginins, being upon an unlawtul voyage Bgsinat our mantelpal sve and neutrality, was cd to bear Our fug, That, y judgment, furnishes u. at, in my judgment, BO EXCUSE TO SPAIN, ‘We have notempioyed her as a police officer on whe high seas, [tis clearly the duty of the gov+ ernment of the United States to proceed, in the prompes} manner, to have due reparation made, ‘and due punishment by Spain’ of her ofendi y Spain of her offending Maars. i Was What we accorded to Braail in tie tbe | salt would be a naval combat on the coast of Cuba. So it appears that such an occurrence was ouly possibie because the Spanish authorities had @ Superior force on the spot at the moment, and nov unless the acts of Burriel be unequivocally con- | demned, the presence o! two large squadrons, ac | ing undér the views of their respective govern- ments, may lead to acollision, Though having no means of knowing the position taken by the Spanish government except that derived through | the public press, the Senator is unwilling to believe that’ Spain will _hesitat to | disavow the violation of our flag and condemn the | inbumanity of tue butelery. If she is unabie, ho | to prevent jurther i h petrators of tols last ou ey pe ‘ages by bringing \ age to condign | | Punishment, it matters litte as tu results whethe the government of the United States patiently | @walts turther outrages, wi or acts now with promptitud relerence to a suggestion that aroitration might be proposed as a proper means o! determumng the extent of the offences committed by the Spanish officers against the United States, the law of na- tions and the laws of humanity and civilization, and a@jso the proper means and extent of repara- sure to ie, e and decision, In tion to be made by Spain to the United States and the friends of th Slaugntered passengers | and crew, the Senator thought that tne idea of | such @ proposition would be simpiy shocking, The facts, a8 far as gathered, appear to be undisputed. ‘The principles of international law and those of homanity whicn control others cannot be the sup. ject ot arbitration, because they are too firmiy established; cannot be decently disputed, and can never be surrendered. If, however, spain should not dispute these propositions, and If the question should, in any part of it, become one of disputed facts, or the application of these recognized prin. still be ample time to consider such a proposition. Butat present, with the information betore us, the bare suggestion is very much out of place in reference to the course the Spanish government ciples to the facts of the present case, there would | will take, It is gupposable that that government Wili do precisely what it bas been already said they should @o—thas ts, disavow the acts of Burriel, bring the malefactors to certain punish It is her duty to herself to do it, for would seem that one cannot contemplate as a Jact that @& great Power like Spain should fail to tree ttself from the disgrace which not only the civilized world now, out history for alltime, will attaeh to such a crime as that at Sanuago. How far she may be powerless to punish the malefactors against popular sentiment, in the midst of @ civil war at home and with an insurrection in Cuba, is a more serious ques- tion jor us, because it becomes one always of diill- culty as to What course, undersuch circumstances, should be pursued by innocent neutrals whose citl- zens are endangered by the inability of a govern- ment to make its power felt over its own subjects; and in this case the difficulty is increased be- cause Spain, being in no” wise responsible for the acts of the insurgents, wouid then admit @ Want of responstbiilty for the acts, or at least the power to control Uaggeonatic, of either party. In regard to what cou ‘Congress would pursue il now in session the Senator had not an assured idea even, and the future action of Congress must depend, of course, upon the state of circumstances oficially communicated when it comes into session. As to what the condition of affairs will be then an opinion cannot be saiely ventured, As a member of the Senate Naval Com- mittee of the last Congress, Senator Stockton said that he had advocated the strengthening of the navy, knowing that a fleet could not be improvised to meet every emergency, and if there is any present doubt of our ability to enforce respect jor our flag through want of a suiticient provision of ships of war he regretted that views like his own had not sooner prevailed in Congress, Opinions of James H. Glass, of Alabama. WasHinaTon, Nov. 20, 1873. Representative James H. Glass, of Alabama, though @ native of that State, was educated in Tiinois, in the Legislature of which he served a term, He returned to Alabama at the breaking out of the war and served throughout it in the Southern army. This is his secona Congressional term. He is a democratic member. On being asked what he thought of the Cuban troubles, he replied “that the capture of the Vir- ginius had occurred since he left his State, but let- ters which he had recelved stated that throughout the Soutn the excitement on the subject was at fever heat. Cuba had always been looked upon. with a longing eye by tne Gulf States, and deemed as property belonging to that section of the country, There had been for years a large and valuable trade between the Sonthern ports and Havana and other portions of Cuba. This and the ad been much hampered and interfered with by the jealous restrictions. and suspicious watchfulness of the Spanish colonial authorities, This made bad feel- ing, but aside from this there was a strong sympathy with the insurgents and a desire in every manner they could to help them to throw og the oppressive rule of the remote home gov- ernment. e Captain Generals and the colonial authorities came out trom Spain, not to stay, but to make fortunes in the quickest possible time aud then return to the old country to enjoy them. They cared nothing for the prosperity of the island. Their sole object was to glean from the land all they could to fill their pockets, To that end they taxed and oppressed the people in every possible way.” “What would be the prospect ofraising troops in Alabama for the invasion of Cuba in case of war?’’ “More men would volunteer than the government would find necessary to accept. They would ve men who had served through the late war as Con- federate soloiers—well drilled and disciplined troops. A Conlederate colonel irom my State told me yesterday that he intended immediately on lusreturn to raise two regiments and hold them 1m readiness to be mustered into the United States service in case War should be declared, and that he felt sure that he could orgauize 2,000 men for that purpose within two weeks.” “What force would you deem sufficient as an army of invasion??? “I do not know the number of the Spanish land forees, but 1 suppose they are more than 30,000 strong. Twenty-llve thousand Americans, proper- ly equipped and oficered, wouid easily put them to rout. Twice that number, or more, could be raised in the Southern States and landed upon the island in a very few weeks after the declara- tion of war. Weshould be complete masters of Cuba at the furthest within two months from the cominencement of operations.” How do you think it would do to submit the question of our complaints to the arbitration of a tribunal appointed by foreign Powers 1” “There 13 nothing Which is a fit subject for arbi- tration. The outrages are too great to submit to any outside interference. The insult is too griev- ous to be thus treated. All international law has been rudely thrust aside by the colonial authori- ties. A vessel bearing our flag has been seized upon the high seas and the persons on board that vessel, claiming to be passengers, and the crew sailing under its protection, bave been taken into & Spanish port, and there, without a proper trial, shot to death. Spain does not acknowledge any war on the Isiand of Cuba. Then, as a matter of international law, any vessel under American colors has a right to visit apy of the Cuban parts for the purpose of trade. If engaged in illegal traffic, she is lable to seizure and coniis- cation by due process of law. But no Spanish man-ol-war has a right to seize an American vessel on the high seas or waters distant over a league or three miles from the Spanish shore. She has passed out of the police sovereignty and the court jurisdiction of Spanish authority. If Spain had accorded belligerent rights to the in- surgents there might be some _ possible excuse in the claim that she had a right, as an act of war, to seize or overhaul vessels of which there might be strong proof that they were carrying mauitions of war and other supplies to the belligerents; but, as she denies all this state of affairs, she has no right of seizure other than which may arise from the detection on her own shores of parties giving aid and comfort to the insurgents. As for trying and executing the captain and crew and passengers as pirates, thatis utterly unjustifiable. The Virginius had on board her register as an American vessel, with the proper custom house papers, and was fying, as was her right, the American flag. When the span- ish volunteers fired that volley which killed those captured on the Virginius, in their bloodthirsty haste, they little knew what would be the result, It will prove to be the death voliey over the grave of Spantsn rule in Cuba.” Opinions of T. C. Platt. The writer had the following conversation with Mr. Thomas C. Platt, Congressman elect from this State, on the subject of the Virginius massacre and the chances of a war with Spain. The writer queried :— “What {s your opinion, Mr. Platt, regarding the present complications with Spain? Yo you think that we ouglit to go to war to redress the Virginius butchery?” “Personally speaking,”’ answered Mr. Platt, “my voice is for war. It would be popular, and if | brought to a successiul close redound to the honor of the republican party, As a private individual, therefore, I should join into the cry of ‘Hurrah boys; lev's go in for war.’ Like other trresponsi- ble persons who are now talking war, I should then feel at liberty to criticise the conduct of the administration in case the war policy did not turn out a3 well as it is generally expected; or if things went altogether wrong for us, I should perhaps, like others, be loud in the condemnation of the government for undertaking the war atall. BUT AS A CONGRESSMAN I should hesitate before 1 woud add my voice to the vote that would precipitate us into @ war on, what 1 consider 4 purely technical question: {oF had the Virginius been canght a few miles nearer vo the Cuban coast, in Spanish waters, instead of being captured on the high seas, 1 do not see What right the United States would have had to inter- lere, except on the score of outraged namanity. At any rate, belore rushing to war I should count the cost. Ithink the general sentiment is some- thing like this:—There has been a butchery some- where and somebody has got to be licked’? “Po you not think that we ought to abate the Cuban Duisance by annexing tue isiaud ¥? inquirea the writer. To which Mr. Platt replied, with a humorous twinkle in nis eye:—“i am in favor of ‘manifest destiny,’ of course, and If the acquisition of the isiand 18 part of that doctrine I think the sooner we have Cuba the better. ‘ihe Virginins massacre furnishes us an excellent opportunity to ry out the manifest destiny aforesaid. Of course, the question a8 to whether tue acqnisition of Cuba with the perplexing siavery question would be an advantage to this country is open to doubt. Some American statesmen hold that WE POSSESS ENOUGH LAND ALREADY. We could have had Si. Domingo almost for the asking, and the acquisition of Cuba would cost us blood as well ag treasure. 1¢ is said of a man en- cumbered with too much real estate that he is ‘and poor.’ The same might be said of Uncie sam. If we must have Cuba now is the accepted time. But I should mot give my vote in favor of warona mere pretext. Of course the Virginius massacre cannot be too strongly condemned irom the standpoint of humanity, and ought to be re- dressed. But [should very much regret any com- binations of events that wonld contradict the pop- ular motto of our President, ‘Let us have peace,’ and compel us to eXcluim instead, ‘Let us bave war,’ ? Mr. Platt then remarked that he had for the pres+ ent nothing further to say on the Virginius com- plications, and tue conversation turned upon other subjects, Opinion of Mr. Thomas J, Durant. WasninatTon, Nov. 20, 1873. Thomas J, Durant, counsel for the United States on the American and Spanish Joint Commission, to which are referred ail claims by our eltizens against Spain, wi found in his office busily en- aged in the preparation of the new code of the United States. Mr. Durant expressed some sur- prise at the depth of feeling manifested in the country, He thought the New York meeting last night showed this, and especially so in the fact shat gentlemen like the chairman oastengd to ex- | press themselves so plainly, in advance of official information, Mr, Durant stated that a prominent foreign diplomat here recently said, in conversa- tion, that the action of the Spanish authorities was more vindictive and cruel than any otner govern- ment in Europe would be guiity of even if the parties had been caught red-handed, This was certainly not the case, so far as the facts were known, In reply to a remark the diplomat referred to said that the United states would be bound to go further—that it had the right to do so—than the obtaining of reparation, apology and indemnity, al which he = thought Spain would iy . ‘This country must demand guarantees. These the Madrid government could not give. The tmportant consequences hung on that. Mr. Durant himself said that there could be no doubt of the iilegality of the Virginius capture and of the crime committed in the execution by General Burriel. The vessel was not a blockade runner, a privateer or @ pirate. All of these characters are well defined in maritime law. She might pursue, as sue probably did, an illegal traffic, but could not be captured onthe high seas. Even i! properly taken, her summary condemnation, while it was evident according to the report of her clearance tron Kingstom Jamaica, that ber papers were regu- lar, is an act outside of international law and ad- miralty procedure. The treaty or agreement of. February 12, 1871, under which an arbitration had been agreed upon as toclaims against Spain by American citizens, aad by which the Ainerican and Spanish Joint Claims Commission was formed, did not provide and was never designed for any such events as those now transpiring. They relate to private claims, fled by private parties, not to the redressing Of national outrages, What was really to be regretted, apart from our own national rela- tions, in his judgment, was in its effect on the Spanisn’ Republic, whose saccess was, politicaily speaking, of more consequence than that of Cuba, Mr, Durant was not prepared to m4 whether arbitration could be resorted to, thoug! he thought the Madrid government would present the idea. On the other hand, he was dis- posed to believe that the affair had pro- ceeded too far Mm a homens way to be disposed of in any such manner, le was also of the opinion that tf the Virginius had been cap- tured in British waters we should have to present our claim to that government, which would for herself make a demand on Spain. ‘The shooting of her sabjects, as alleged, would greatly complicate the case against Spain. Views of General James 8. Negloy. Prrrspura, Nov, 19, 1873, In conversation on the probable action of the coming Congress on the Virginius matter, General James S. Negley, member of Congress from the Twenty-second aisirict, said that he thought there Would be much broader measures proposed than the recognition of Cuba as a belligerent. He thought the majority of the members would tnsist | on an apology for the insult to the flag of the gov- ernment and reparation for the loss of life and ropes, by the payment of an indemnity for the jamage done and the surrender of all those con- cerned in the massacre of the Yjrgil aT by To tear down our countrys ag hit te tnagk: head of a vessel sailing under {t on the high seas, which was her only protection, scems to me the most emphatic insult our government could be subjected to, and never shail my vote be cast in countenance of it. This act, it appears to me, was even a greater outrage than the massacre of those defenceless men. What right had the Spaniards to interfere with this vessel? Her pupers were drawn up in the proper form, her passengers were properly registered and her cargo Was but merchantable goods. Why, even ir the Virginius had been laden tothe water’s edge with ammunition she could not be re- cognized as contraband of war, inasmuch as Spam does not recognize Cuba as a belligerent Power, and does not recognize officially that it bas war with Cuba, In regard to Secretary Fish’s timidity in this matter General Negley said that he felt assured Congress would rebuke the diplomatic action of the Secretary of State. That body considers he could have prevented the second massacre. It was only last year that leading Congressmen were desirous of a more decided stand on this Cuban matter, Every man in the Cabinet, with the ex- ception of Secretary Fish, is determined to exact reparation from Spain. Bat the country may over- come Mr. Fish's timidity, for Congress has the pee to take action upon the presentation by the resident of the case, with his views on the matter. The*people generally will endorse the most vigorous policy of the government. A patriotic feeling bas been aroused, and tt is popu- larly considered that the action of Spain admits of no apology. PUBLIC PEN AND INK OPINIONS. Zambrani on Salmeron and Castelar— “Before and After.” To THz EprTor oF THE HERALD:— . Your leader in last Sunday's HERALD, with re- gard to the Virginius outrage, suggests a few re- marks, which I beg leave to make through your columns. While dwelling upon the lawlessness of the Havana ‘volunteers,’ and the inability of the home government to control them, you refer tothe republicans whorule Spain, and quote from a speech of Sefior Salmeron to substantiate your own reasoning on the subject. But this arises from the fact that the leading men of Spain, while in the opposition, call the government to task for the misrule of Cuba. and the crimes perpetrated on that bleeding tsiand, as Sefior Salmeron did in the speech referred to, True, in that and several other speeches before the Spanish Cortes, he bit- terly denounced the “volunteers” as a disgrace to Spain, and called upon the government to restrain them, at least out of regard tor the opinions of the civilized world. Suddenly one of the weekly Min- isterial crises of republican Spain placed him in the Presidential ciair of that distracted country, and suddenly he forgot altogether the “volunteers” and their lawless doings, Not even a word has he uttered against them, not even for consistency’s sake, while President of the so-called Republic of Spain, Like him, Cas- telar made the halls of the Cortes ring with high- sounding language for liberty, justice and the abolition of slavery a8 well as other necessary re- forms in Cuba; but he becomes the chief Executive of Spain and only proves himself to be one “volun- teer” more tor Cuba. Such has ever been the case with Spanish states- men, particularly as regards unfortunate Cuba. In the opposition their voice is raised loud and high for freedom and all the requirements of civiliza- tion. but as soon as they prasp the reins of gov- ernment their misrule and oppression are second , tonone, to say nothing of thelr subserviency to any set of wicked men who, like the Havana “vol- unteers,” know how to tee the powers that be, For this reason the Spanish government has not punished the murderers of the Havana students, nor willeven rebuke the perpetrators of the out- rage apon the American steamer Virginius or en- deavor to bring to justice the butchers of the crew and passengers of that steamer, Such murderers and butchers overawe the Spanish government in Cuba, and their crimes, so far as Spain is con- cerned, will continue to’ go on unpunished, not- withstanding the great moral responsibility and blighting disgrace that such crimes cast upon that decrepit nation, A. ZAMBRANA, Spanish Outrages Upon American Sail- ors in Caba—Where Is the Honor of the Flag? NEW York, Nov. 20, 1873. To THE Epiror or THe HeRaLD:— In April, 1871, 1 was in Sagua, Cuba, as master of the schooner Lillias, of Stockton, Me. When loaded and ready ‘or sea a negro was found hidden on board my vessel. Ireported it to the owners of the negro, who took him away. At midnight a boat full of armed svuldiers took me from my bed, with orders to take me ashore dead or alive, and hurried me away to prison, placing me at firstina cell where several prisoners were sick with small- pox. My wife and infant child were left on board my vessel, My imate, Jearing arrest himself, took the schooner’s boat and put to sea, being fnaily Pa up tn the Straits of Florida by a passing vessel. I was kept in jail 40 days among negroes, Cbina- men and Spaniards, all in the fiithiest condition possible, many of them being actually covered With vermin. At last, through the exertions of the American captains in port, who drew up a protest, which was sentto Consul Hall at Matanzas, that gentleman came to Sagua, and in a week alter his arrival [ was released, without having tad @ trial or any charge naving been made against me so far as I could ascertatn, . I had to pay for all I had to eat, for a cot to alee; on and for the privilege of walking in the jail yard. A sailor was taken irom an American vessel and eontined in the same prison with The Ameri- can Consul seemed to take no inte in his case or mine until obliged to do 80 by masters of ves- sels there. The sailor, when released several montus alter, was a living skeleton. Upon my arrival in an American port I found my vessel very much injured by having no care for 40 days, and my detention in prison had cost me at least $1,000, Now all this would not have hap- pened if we had a Consul in Sagna who cared for the honor of his country’s flag or felt any interest in the welfare of an American citizen, I do not be- lieve that our flag hus been hoisted over the Con- sulate in Ln i ‘or years, The same thing can be sald of Cardenas. We are obliged to submit to any and all indignities that may be offered us in Cuba, and wheh we protest to our consuls against any outragé they coolly inform us that we must submit to it, And for the last six years we have been treated with contempt in Cuba, simply because we were Americans, and they had every reason to believe that no murder or outrage or ingul ever be avenged on them by the government Of the United States, lt ts time the Spaniards In Cuba were tanght a jesson they will never forget, and the insults they have offered us were wasued out in their blood, For myseif I expect to recetve no redress tor my wrongs, unless a chance is given me to shoulder a musket auder the American Nag on the isian id Cube {OSE GuMIaL O¢ SYpOKLoLy Me. ) musteri DEFENCES OF HAVANA. Fortifications and Garrison’ of the Cuban Capital. ‘How the British Captured It 100 Years Ago— The City Vulnerable from the Land Side— The Morro, Cabana and La Punta. RE ee How Havana Can Be Reduced To-Day. Cuba, considering its great vaine as a producing country and its highly important geographical posi- tion, has been notably exempt from foreign attack since its discovery and settlement by the Span- iaras Of all her possessions in America, Castillan dominion, with the exception of a period less than @ year, has remained intact on the island, which is perhaps the richest colony possessed by any Euro- pean Power in any part of the globe. At an early day the occasional eruptions of buccaneers gave rise to the necessity of fortifying its harbors. The seat of government having been transferred from Santiago de Cuba (which is now identified with one of the most barbarous massacres of recent times) to Havana, defensive works were erected at the latter place, which have been continued and ex- tended until the city has become one of the strong- est in this part of the world. For many years Span- ish gaileons and flotillas assembied at Havana be- fore finally crossing the Atlantic. But while hostil- ities raged in nearly every part of the West Indies, the mother country being an active participant, | Cuba, with its 1,400 mites of seacoast and its num- erous harbors, remained free from the sound of hos- tile cannon, except on the two occasions to be mentioned hereafter. Havana has always been a naval headquarters— was used for fitting out expeditions to operate against the enemies of Spain; but as the city was considered almost impregnable, though it is actu- ally the key to the entire island, it was deemed prudent to avoid attacking the place. Witn Hav- ana in the possession of a hostile force the rest of Cuba would be of little or no,vatue, PRESENT STRENGTH OF HAVANA. The present strength, of Havana is @ matter of the greatest interest. Its generalplan of defences has been constructed in the old style; put a pro- fusion of treasure has of late years been expended to render the city and harbor as far as possible proof against all assaults. And it is highly proba- ble, from the fortifications that have been erected, the precautions that have been taken, the dim- culties that have been thrown in the way, and the ease with which the defences themselves can be used against attack, that the capture of Havana would be a@ difficult enterprise to accomplish, The walls of the city, ran- ning from the mouth of the harbor across the peninsula to the inner shore, enclose an ellipse of 2,000 yards by 1,100 yards; but at the present time more than twice that space outside of them is completely covered by buildings. There are six forts, numerous land and water batteries, forming acontinuous line running along both shores, be- sides the walls and citadel. The forts are named the Morro, La Uabajiia, Principe, La Punta, Atares and Numero 4, or San Diego. MORRO OASTLE is deemed impregnable, but it is believed a com- petent naval force could paas it. Even if success- fal, however, 1,000 guns could be brought to bear onthe ships after entering the harbor. For this, among other reasons, military authorities agree that if the place be taken it must be taken by operations conducted on land. La Cabaiia ts as strong, if not a stronger work, thanthe Morro. In 1762 the latter was battered an entire day within short range by three English line of battle ships. They had to retire without making any im- pression, after being badly disabled. Raynal, a competent authority says, “The Morro is raised so high above the level of the sea that even a first rate vessel of war could not batterit. But La Punta has not the same advantage. It 13, never- theless, so situated thatit can only be attacked by @ very narrow channel, in which the assailants must be exposed to such a tremendous fire as few would be able to withstand. HAVANA CAN ONLY BE ATTACKED ON THE LAND SIDE with any hope of success, and, even should such an attempt be made, the dificulties to which a be- sieging army would be exposed are almost insur- mountable.” One of these ig the great scarcity of good water. It could only be found nine miles from the city, and the people, aware of its absolute necessity, would use every exertion to cut off the supply. It would, therefore, be necessary, in case of the city being invested, that the besiegers should have strong detachments in intrench- ments to protect the watering places and prevent communication with the camp being Inter- rupted. But this diMiculty, with al! others, would be certainly overcome by an enterprising and deter- mined commander having adequate resources at his disposal. It is clear, however, that a large army would be required to invest Havana, anda powerful fleet to act in co-operation. All the in- surgents require 1s arms, and these could be very easily landed on either the northern or southern coast of the district in which they operate. The patriot forces would be able to take care of all the Spanish troops outside Havana, where the garri- son is reported to be 20,000, not including the numerous sbips-of-war, with their sailors and marines, TRON-CLADS AND FORTS. A naval officer of very high rank is reported to have recently said that our navy could easiiy enter Havana; that a fleet can pass anything. He seemed to be under the impression that the forts and batteries have nothing heavier than 32- pounders, and that the Spanish authorities were Without torpedoes—the only things that can close & channel. It is beyond question that the Spanish men-ol-war carry as heavy metal as vessels of other nations, and it does not seem probable they’ would neglect using them in their land detences, The Spanish nayal officers are conceded to be very competent in their profession, and the naval attaché of their Legation at Washington cannot have overlooked the special attention given in this country to. the matter of torpedoes. But if, according to Raynal and others, Havana can only be taken by land, the work in the event of war would become a compara- tively easy one to the United States. And at this point it has to be meutioned that such was the opinion of the English when the city was attacked and he Seo by them, after a four days’ siege, in 1762, The large fleet of 19 ships of the line and 18 frigates that accompanied the expedition were un- abie to make any impression on the sea delence, The work was all onland. Thestrength of Havana in 1762, in comparison with the British naval and military force that appeared before it at that time, was as great as it 1s w-day, taking into accoun the@advances made since then in the science of , When iron-clads, 600-pound guns, repeating rifles and torpedoes are brought into operation. THE ONLY POWER THAT EVER ATTACKED CUBA was Great Britain. On the first occasion the inva- sion ended most disastrously; on the second Havana fell into her hands, The particulars of the a appended 1s at this moment instructive read- ng. VERNON’S DISASTROUS EXPEDITION, In 1741 Admiral Vernon, with a large fleet and 12,000 troops under Lord Uathcart, was despatched to the West Indies for the purpose of attacking the commerce of Spain and capturing her most vaiu- able possessions in America, He made an attempt to reduce Carthagena (Ecnudor), in which he jailed, aiter gen 4 very heavy losses. He returned to Jamaica with @ iragment of his beaten and rt ia expedition, and determined to fall apon Cuba. His military force was reduced to 3,000 available men, which he augmented by 1,000 ne- groes, who were drilled and armed for the enter- rise. Vernon salied for the southeast part of the isiand and anchored in Guantanamo Bay, tn which is situate Santiago de Cuba, where the massacre of the passengers and crew of the Virginius took place, The troops were landed and encamped at w distance of 20 miles further up the river. He found Santiago too strong to attack, however, and his men remained woeey, inactive, ‘The Spaniards likewise resoived to let Vernon alone, He remained anti! Novem ber, when the expedition returned to Jamaica, On the troops the Rarcre is represented ag being sadder than if they had vome irém a fierce campaign. The fine army that bad ieit England 12,000 strong was now reduced to 2,000, Disease, caused by bad salted provisions in a state of pu. tridity and excesses m rum while in Cuba, cos of in a few months over half of Vernon's troops, When the news of the disastrous result reached England the kingdom was filled with murmurs and discontent, and the people were depressed in pro- ortion to that But tho hope by which they had been elovavod. But, though Vernon's expedition SEES SS SS Se EE accomplished notning veyona soldiers, the peohrissening of Guantanamo Bay by the name of Cumberland Harbor, in compliment to one of the King’s brothers (a name it very briely retained) and his own disgrace, it would ap ear that it was not suMcient to cause Great Britain to abandon a project which, it was believed, promised booty even beyond reach of calculation, THE ENGLISH INVADING FORCE, Engiand had all along kept a greedy eye fixed upon the French and Spanish possessions in America, Her aggressions in Canada and in the West Indies led to the formation of what is known in history as “The Family Compact” between France and Spain. The two latter Powers were charged with "ang undue means to induce Porta- Galto enrar into an alliance with them to resist reat Britain, This was in 1761, 20 years after Vernon's disastrous enterprise before Santiago de Cnba. War existed with nee, and Sir James Penains had captured Martinique. The English Ministry professed its anxiety to remain at peace with Spain, while it secretly collected a large Meet and army to make a descent on Cuba. WHEN WAR WAS AGAIN DECLARED, in June, 1762, @ squadron sailed from Portsmouth, under Admiral Pococke, with 20,000 troops, com- manded by the Earl of Albemarle. These were joined by Sir James Douglas’ vessels and, thus united, the expedition consigted of 19 ships of the line, 18 smalier ships of war and 150 transports. To avoid the tediousness of the common voya; Pococke boldly explored a perilous way along the Bahamas, and without the slightest accident ap- peared before Havana. The arrival of the English was a surprise, for it was the first intimation the Cubans had of the exist- tence of war. Nevertheless, Havana was of suf- ficient strength, by art and nature, to make a vigorous defence. The city was fortified with the utmost skill, cost and care, as the great mart and centre of Spanish American trade, Within the har- bor lay 12 ships of tue line; within the ram- parts was a large army, including the country miiitia, scarcely inferior to the attacking force. Be- sides these, the strong works flanked with bastions, which defended the main body of the place, the narrow entrance to the harbor was secured by two forts well nigh deemed impregnable. And here it may be mentioned that the only use made of the ficet during the siege was to sink three of them be- hind a strong boom at the mouth of the harbor. ‘The English landed: June 5, two miles southeast of Havana, withoat loss or opposition. Thar were divided into two corps. One, under General Elliott, advanced 4 considerable way into the country, while the other, under General Keppel, besieged Morro Castle. The difticulties attending the opera- tions seemed insurmountable. ‘The construction of batteries commenced June 12, but so thin was the soil and so hard the rock beneath, that the ad- vance was made very slowly. To cover their ap- proaches the English had to use bales of cotton, brought (rom Jamaica by Sir James Douglas. There was the toss of his NO WATER IN THE VICINITY. It could be haain the neighborhood of the camp, but it was so impure that instead of affording re- Tief it would only prove deadly. The only good water that could be obtained was at a distance of three leagues, and could only be procured in boats. Having no other way to get a supply, Albemarie’s troops had to depend upon the ships, The labor of cutting roads through the woods and srawing the artillery was so excessive that many dropped down dead with the patirae. However, the batterica were raised to assall the Morro and the ships; a sortic in force was repulsed, but one day threo ships of the English feet stationed themselves ag close as they could to the fort, and during seven hours attempted to dismount its guns. They were compelled to withdraw without producing the slightest effect, after sustaining great injury fom the Morro’s fire. The principal English battery was also destroyed. it had required the labor of 60¢ men for 17 days to complete tt. It was consumed in @ few hours, and all had to be constructed anew. Disease had reduced the invading army to half ita number; 6,000 soldiers were unfit for duty and 2,000 sailors were in the same condition. An expected reinforcement of FOUR THOUSAND TROOPS FROM NEW YORK had not arrived. A lodgement was at length made in the covered way, and an attempt made to dis- lodge the besiegers proved unsuccessful. The suc- cor long waited for and so much needed at last reached camp trom New York, a breach was made in the walls, and, on July 30, the fort was stormed and carried. ‘our hundred Spaniards were drowned and as many more laid down their arms. Velasco, the Governor, and the Marquis de Gon- zales, the second p. command, were killed after bravely resisting the last. New works were now commenced to attack the city. The Governor ‘was summoned to surrender. He returned a civil but firm refusal. Albemarle opened his batteries with such effect that flags of truce soon appeared, and on the 13th August, 1762, alter 44 days’ lege, the city Was occupied by the British forces, THE CAPITULATION yielded to the conquerors Havana, with 180 miles of country to the westward. The fleet whieh felt into their hands consisted of nine ships of the line and four WA hoy which, with the three sunk at the mouth of the harbor and two destroyea on the stocks, made up the entire Spanish squadron, which made no attempt to act against the enemy, though a small French naval force attacked a con- voy and captured six ships, with 500 men, in the vicinity of Havana during the siege. The treasure in ready money, tobacco and other valuable mer- chandise taken by the besiegers was estimated at $15,000,000, The garrison were allowed the honors ire war aud safe conveyance to Spain. The English loss Was over 2,000 men, but greater number aflerwaras ated of sickness, which raged, as stated, to a great extent on shore and on shipboard, The division of the prize money caused great scandal. Admiral Pococke and the Earl of Albemarle each ot $600,000, while the officers and crew came in lor very small sums. At the conclusion of peace, in 1763, Cuba was restored to Spain in exchange tor Florida, which was reconquered from the English at @ later date. The British occupation, which lasted eleven months, gave the first great impetus to agriculture and trade in Cuba by opening foreign markets to its produce. HAVANA NOT DIPFIOULT OF CAPTURE. Since 1762 Cuba has remained undisturbed in the hands of Spain, with the exception of the few tili- bustering expeditions from the United States, each of which ended disastrously, and of the insurrec- tion now in grcerest. Sensible of the importance of the island, ana profiting by the disasters’ of 1762, the Spanish authorities have not only re- Paired the former fortifications. but have addea new ones, The Morro and La Punta, which only existed then, have been supplemented by four other works, all of which, it is understvod, are armed with the heaviest modern guns. ‘The English, with a force of 20,000 troops, greatly re- duced by death and disease, took Havana, after a comparatively brief siege, while the entire popula- tion of Cuba was aunit. The garrison and ships of war were as strong and as numerous in 1762 as those that can be now found in the oy, and harbor. An enterprising and able general like Sheridan, with 40,000 men, would make as short if not shorter work than Albemarle did in the last century. Military authorities agree in saying this number weuld be necessary. The United States, in the event of hostilities, ceuld count on 50,000 native allies, who need only arms tomuke them effective soldiers, ‘To effect a landing could not be a very dangerous operation. ‘The most important duty the navy would have to perform would be to cover the debarkation at some suitable point. ‘This ac- complished the fall of Havana wouid be insured, and With the fall of Havana Cuba would cease to be Spanish. It 1s well, however, to understand the Strength of Spain and the difficuities to be en- countered in the island if war Is tocome. This knowledge will point ont the necessity of making due preparations to insure success. The Phi- Uppine Islands in the Pacific would easily be cap- tured by our Asiatic feet, if such was deemed ad- visable, CAPTURE OF PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. On the breaking out of hostilities in 1762, in pur- suance of orders recetved from England, an expedi- tion was despatched from Madras against Luconia, the principal of the Phiippine Isiands. Eleven ships of war, with 2,300 troops, under General Draper, were ready fo sail. The Spaniards, not being acquainted with the fact of war having been declared, were entirely unprepared for the appear- ance of an enemy's fleet. Had it been otherwise the Engiish force would have proved unequal to the task undertaken. The Archbishop of Manila, Who was the supreme ruler of the islands, how- ever, determined to make a vigorous defence. The Spanish troops were small in number, but they were reinforced by a number of natives, who fought with the greatest desperation. Manila and Cavite were stormed twelve days after the british landed. The Indiaus, who were armed only with fd de atrows and spears, made a sortie and were cut to pieces. They are represented to have apart with their teeth af the bayonets that trans- xed them. Draper’s forces, which were partly made up of Lascars and Sepoys, plundered anit destroyed the towns, and the uniortunate inhapt- tanta had to suifer all the horrors of war. Several ships of war and a large quantity of military stores were captured, and @ ransom of $4,000,000 was Agreed to be paid in consideration of sparing pri- vate property. The Philippines were subsequently restored to Spain, in whose possession they have since remained. RIOT ON STATEN ISLAND, The residents of Staten Island wore thrown into consternation yesterday alternoon at the rumor of @ riot among the laborers at Port Richmond, The citizens flocked from all parts of the county in car- Tiages and strect cars to the scene of action, and were anxious to find out all the particalars, It ap- Pears that Dr. Martindale, a weil Known resident of Richmond county, hired fitteen men to lay & Sower from his residence to the river (the Kill von Kull), and while at work they were arrested by twenty-five spocial oMcers, who were detailed by the Board of Aiaermen to stop the work, and who refased at their last meoting the privilege to Dr. Martindale to run a waste pipe (rom his residence. The men were arraigned before Justice Middle. brook, who immediately discharged them; and foon after they were rearrested and brought be- fore the same Justice, who again discharged them. On again resuming work a fight occurred between the constables and the laborers, which lasted for some time, antl they were finally separated by the county police, SUDDEN DEATH OF AN UNKNOWN MAN, Cry ov KiNagTON, N.Y. Nov, 20, 1872. Aman, apparently about 40 years of age, a pas- Senger on the steamer James W. Baldwin, died suddenly on the boat soon After !ts arrival las night. The jury rendered a verdict of death trom heart ase, From papers on his person the man’s name was thonght to be Michael McBride, but nothing further ls Known avout tim.