Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-05
Gro the Associated Press.)

A LINK IN THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE.
1t proves that the brig Osprey, OF Boston, sup
posed to have rescued some passengers from the
Bella, in 1854, was herself lost on her return
from Australia, with seventy or eighty passen-
gers
ALEXIs TO HUNT WITH SPOTTED TAIL.
The Indian bureau has issued orders to secure
the presence OF SpOttel Tail and other famous
Indian chiefs, on the occasion Of the buffalo
hunt by Alexis, which will take place near Fort
Mcpherson.
SPAIN AND CUBA.
Gen. Sckles called at tne department of state
to-day, add was engaged with Secretary Fish
several hours on the subject of Spanish and
| Cuban affairs Toward the last of the month,
| he will take passage for Madrid.
From sources altogether reliable, it is ascer-
tanned that the administration has not changed
| its policy on the Cuban question, hut will con-
tinue TO act according 10 the principles heretofore
| declared, namely: That, while it will OBJ
serve perfect neutrality in regard TO the difficult
| ties now existing in the island of Cuba it can
not consent that our merchant vessels be
molested in their lawful pursuit, or oyerhau,d
| and examined, unless found committing some
| violation of Spanish authority. This they can
| only do by landing arms and munitions of war.
Our naval officers have, therefore, been fire.
| quently instructed TO give full protection to
American citizens and American commerce,
whenever opportunity shall occur for doing so.
In accordance with this policy, our government
has protested against the act of the Spanish
naval officer in boarding and searching the
Florida on the high seas, and has required of the
Spanish government: First, an apology; second,
10 disavow the act of the officer; third, to punish
him; and fourth, TO pay damages.
That the Spanish government will meet those
| requirements is not doubted. With regard to
the Hornet, there will be dffiulty, as the Con-
gresS has been despatched to Port au Prince to
convoy her TO an American port. If, as the
| Spanish minister alleges, she has committed
a breach Of our neutrality, she will be amena-
| bic to our own laws, and not to those of Spain.
While tits trne that Sa@pSta, VINO is at the head
| of the Spanish ministry, is known to be hostile
TO the United States, it is also known that he
| has no power to do any harm, as his party in
the cortes is in the minority, and would, there
| fore, be out voted on any policy unfrendly to
this country.
| 1t is a matter of official record that, about
| seven months ago, Gen. Sickles, in conversa-
| ton with a distinguished Spanish general
| whose official employment Afforded him ample
| means of accurate Information, was informed
that more than forty millions of dollars had
been expended for military purposes during the
| wear then passed in Cuba. He did not state
| whether or not this large sum included any por-
ton of the amount disburscd for the feet of
| gunboats maintained in those waters, especially
| with reference TO Instruction.
| 1t was further stated that the aggregate force
under arms exceeded 1907 900 men, more than
| hall OI WHO'LL were regular tlOODS, ana tIat tue
| losses OF the army of Cuba from the various
casualties of the service exceeded Is, 900 men. 1t
| was the Spanish generals impression that the
| insuTgent force did not number more than six
| thousand of all arms. Gen. SIckles then heard
| from trustworthy sources likely to be well in
formed, that the insurgents lost no ground of
importance; that their troops were better dsci-
pined than ever, and that, in several recent ac-
tons, they gained considerable advantage over
the Spanish troops, many of whom are repre-
scented as deserving to the insurgents.
MINOR MATTERS
The investigating committee are still employ
| ed i'll the cash vaults OF the treasury. Thus far
| about four hundred and thirty million dollars
were counted including gold, currency and certi-
| dcates. The committee anticipate prolonged
| investigation.
| Colorado having knocked in vain at the door
Of congress for admission into the Union as a
| state, is now coming arm in arm win Wyo-
ming. The two territories united will make
quite a respectable state in point of size, and
with sufficient population to return three reDre-
sentatiyes. But some Of the territorial officers
who will be deprived Of office howl against the
proposed consolidation
Col. Foney aud other Philadelphians, who
came here TO escort President Grant TO their city
to-day for short visit, are confident that they
have secured the votes Off majority of the mem
bers Of the national republican committee in IA
vor of holding the coming national republican
convention in Philadelphia. 1t is proposed to
secure the Academy OF Music for the meetings
of the convention, and to place the spacious club
house Of the union league at the disposal of the
delegates
The advisory civil service board has chosen
Geo. VIM. Curtis president, and NJ. d. Connolly
OF Philadelphia, clerk.