Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1874 — THE VIRGINIUS. [ARTICLE]

THE VIRGINIUS.

Serious Complications Between Spain and the British Government—Decision of the'll. S. Attorney-General •that the Vessel was not Entitled, to Carry the 17. S. Flag. Kxx West, December 21. Information reached here yesterday from Havana that serious complications in regard to Cuba have arisen between the Spanish and British Governments. The advices did not state the precise nature of the difficulties, but it has become known that the British Consul General at Havana has received dispatches from Lord Granville to instruct all naval commanders in the'West TndTes to Immediately rendezvous in Cuban ports. It is stated that in official circles it is certainly known that the British Government will assuredly demand the punishment of Burriel. The British Admiral has left for 3t. Thomas, where he expects to be relieved. Washington, December 21. It has been known for some days that the Spanish Government has furnished evidence with regard to the VirgiDius and her claim to a right to bear the flag of the United States, and that the President submitted the evidence to the Attorney-Gen-eral for his opinion thereon. It seems now to be understood in official circles that the Attorney-General has given an opinion that the vessel had forfeited her right to bear the flag of the United States, and at the time of her capture was carrying it without right and improperly. In view of this opinion our Government will, in accordance with the terms of the protocol, institute inquiry and adopt proceedings against the Virginius and against any of the persons who may appear to have been guilty of the illegal acts in connection witli her. As Spain has proven to the satisfaction of tho United States, according to the Attorney-General’s opinion, that the Virginius was, at the time of her capture, carrying the United States flag without right and improperly, the salute to the flag on the 25th day of December will be dispensed with, as now not necessarily requirahle, but the United States will expect the disclaimer of intent of indignity to its flag in the act which was committed. From the proof submitted by Spain it appears that the clearance papers of the Virginius were obtained by perjury. The Department of State has no information concerning the complications between Great Britain and Spain. Rear-AdiiSiral Scott has sent to the Secretary of the Navy a large number of documents connected with the capture of tne Virginius and the executions which followed it. These include the list of 103 who were in the prison at Santiago de Cuba, thirteen of whom were shot. But four Americans are among the number fiven. Those who were executed, in adition to the thirteen above mentioned, were in jail only a few hours, with the exception of Captain Fry, who was not taken to that place. According to the official report concerning the mode of trial by court-martial,Captain Fry declined to answer all the questions put to him, protesting that by the laws of nations he and his crew had committed no offense that justified his or their imprisonment or trial as parties claiming to be in command of an American merchant vessel, furnished with all properly certified papers, which he had delivered to (lie boarding officer of the capturing vessel. J. N. Rowe, of Rockland, Me., deposed at Kingston. Jamaica, that from his knowledge of navigation, the Virginius when captured could not have been less than seventy miles from the coast of Cuba.