1088                         FOREIGN      RELATIONS.

the telegram of the associated press received yesterday. The Diario de la
Marina has
maintained with all the force of conviction and of-sentiment that the steamer
Virginins
has been, since August, 1870, until October 31, 1873, a vessel acquired for
account of
the rebels in this Antilla, and dedicated to introducing therein men, arms,
and other
munitions of war, to give life to the rebellion. This we have maintained
in the past,
to now, and shall in the future maintain, because 'the Diario de la Marina
claims no
other virtue than that of consistency; it may break, but will never bend,
because it
will never contradict itself.
   The habitual readers of the Diario know that, some misinformed and others
with
 mischievous intentions, the papers and persons have abounded in the United
States to
 thunder against the capture of the Virginius, presenting it as an offense
against the
 starry banner, as if vessels dedicated to filibusterism could legally carry
the flag of any
 known or sovereign state, or as if they did not deserve the wrath of the
people whose
 flag they usurp and dishonor. The Washington Government, we know not with
what
 foundation, became, up to a certain point, the echo of the enaggerations
of the press
 and the clamor of the orators at the meetings, and presented its claims
to the Madrid
 government, commencing by forming them into a kind of ultimatum, which,
according
 to our trustworthy information, was presented on the 26th of last month.
   The Spanish government did not admit the conclusions of this note, which
bore a
 very peremptory character. According to the associated press dispatch, it
consulted
 confidentially with other European powers, which, undoubtedly misinformed,
were
 unanimously of opinion in a favorable sense for a reparation to the United
States; the
 government also consulted the principal political men of the parties which
desolate the
 peninsula, whose opinion, it appears, was in accord with "that of the
European powers.
 After this taking of counsel, it continued debating the affair in order
to settle upon the
 delivery to the United States of the steamer Virginius, and of the prisoners
still alive,
 lewving other questions pending to be adjusted and determined as they deserve
by
 diplonmacy. The United Stittes, for their part, agree to investigate if
the vessel could
 legally carry the American flag, in order, in case it should result otherwise,
to give us
 due satisfaction.
   We place before our brothers the truth of the facts, such as we understand
it, and
must also say to them that the island of Cuba, that the brave and generous
Spaniards
who defend it have stated in -the most solemn manner, even in the moments
of greatest
conflicts, in those moments which mediated between the requirements of the
United
States and the resolution of the Madrid government, that they persist in
what they
have so often repeated, which is, that the government shall place very high
the dignity
of the nation, without occupying itself much or little of the harm which
might happen
to the loyal of this province. This is the criterion, and it is just that
history should
record it, of those who, if we are not as fortunate as the companions of
Hernando Cortes,
and of Pizarro, at least are determined as they to die a thousand times for
our
country.
  The narration we have just written has left our pen like bitter tears from
a deeply-
wounded heart, and when the solemn moment arrives that we have to make to,
our
brothers-to those who think and feel as we do; to those who, like us, are
ready to shed
the last drop of their blood for our country-a slight admonition that we
have to give
them advice, we have to limit ourselves to addressing them an entreaty. We
know
that, before anything else, they are Spaniards; we know that peril does not
frighten
nor sacrifices deter them; we know that they desire what we desire, and which
by no
means personally alarms us nor makes the least impression. Let them preserve
their
noble uprightness and manly abnegation, but at the same time preserve that
tranquil
firmness which is bound to save us or give us an honorable death. We cannot
more
fully explain what we feel; we find no words to express all our ideas; let
our ardent
patriotism and our boundless Hispanism supply what our pen can but feebly
express.

Inhabitants of Havana :
  In my duty from preventing public opinion from being led astray, I consider
it sea-
sonable to address you in a friendly tone, and recommend to you the greatest
calmness
under the present existing circumstances. The question of the Virginius has
given
,rise to the spreading by the enemies of the Spanish cause in Cuba of alarming
rumors
and news, which, certain to produce an effect upon your ardent and tried
patriotism,
only favor the insurrection.
  It is true that agreements have been made, it is true that I have received
telegraphic
communications upon these same agreements,ýbut if I have succeeded
in inspiring
among you any confidence, give mena proof of it by your considerate and tranquil
at-
titude, assured that I will do all that is humardly possible in behalf of
the great inter-
ests of this province, and of the dignity of the nation, which, like, you,
I love more
than life itself.
      Your governor and captain-genera,


JOAQUIN JOVELLAR.


HAVATNA, December 1, 1873.