50 Chapter 2
Fatalities: None
Narrative: On October 31, 1873, the American vessel Virginius was intercepted by
the Spanish ship Tornado and taken to Cuba. The ship was being used by Cuban rebels
during their bid for independence.
A council was quickly assembled in Cuba, and, on November 2 and again on
November 7, the council called for the immediate executions of almost the entirety
of the crew on the ship. Since several crew members were British, the British ship
Niobe was quickly dispatched to the area to prevent further executions from occurring.
War was a real possibility at this time, and Spain-US relations suffered momentarily.
However, Spain agreed to indemnify both the British and the Americans and quickly
released the Virginius.
Coding changes: End Date changed from November 10, 1873. Outcome changed
from Yield by side A.
MID#3232
Dispute Number: 3232
Date(s): March 8, 1895
Participants: 230 Spain/2 United States of America
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: A Spanish war vessel fired upon the Allianca, an American steamship,
three miles off the eastern shore of Cuba. The Spanish vessel was likely attempting to
stop and search the American vessel. The United States protested the action, and Spain
relieved of command the captain of the offending vessel.
2 United States of America/255 Germany
MID#191
Dispute Number: 191
Date(s): December 21, 1888 to June 14, 1889
Participants: 255 Germany/2 United States of America, 200 United Kingdom
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Thomas Bayard, American Secretary of State, recognized the contentious
nature of Samoa and called for a conference with Britain and Germany in Washington
during June and July 1887. Britain long had inroads to the area, the United States had
property in Samoa, and Germany, which was a newcomer to the colonial scramble
in Europe, had strong commercial connections to Samoa. Germany’s minister at the
conference felt that control of Samoa should belong to the country with the strongest
commercial influence, and Britain’s minister in Washington backed the German
claims since Germany promised assurances elsewhere. However, Bayard insisted on
Samoan autonomy. The conference ended without an agreement.