Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-01-05
WASHINGTON.
The UnfrIendIy Attitude of Spain
Apology Demanded for Search.
Ing the Florida.
Preparations for POxkibIe War

to the Times from Washington says that the
Government accepts the change of the
Ministry at Madrid as hostile to the conci-
liatory policy heretofore pursued. 1t also
accepts the reputed recall of Senior Roberts
as further proof of uufriendly feeling but
there is yet no positive Information as to
the course of the Sranish Government.
The recent over-haI,.ding of the Florida will
require reparatl4on. In the meantime the
Navy pepar r-tment is preparing and any or
% uois WI -ich may be given are interpreted as
IlleT u 4sures Of preparation on the part Of our
government.
Swiss Charity.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-The Federal
Council of Switzerland sends fifty thousand
francs as relief offering to Chicago.
OF for Philadelphia.
President Grant, Mrs. Grant and Bout
well left this evening for Philadelphia to re-
main until Monday.
GEN. SickIes
| called at the Department of State to-day,
and was engaged with Secretary Fish for
several hours on the subject of Spanish and
Cuban affairs. He viii leave Washington
tomorrow, and spend Saturday with Presi
dent Grant in Philadelphia, and return to
Washington early next week. Toward the
close of the month be viii take passage for
Madrid. From sources altogether reliable
it is ascertained that the Administration has
not, as has been stated, changed its policy
on the Cuban question, but will continue to
the principles heretofore declared, namely,
that while it will observe strict neutrality in
regard to the difficulties now existing in the
Island of Cuba, it cannot consent that our
merchant vessels shall be molested in their
lawful pursuits, or overhauled or examined
unless they arc found committing some vio-
lation of Spanish authority.
In accordance with this policy, our gov
ernment has protested against the act of
the Spanish naval officer in boarding and
searching the Florida on the high seas, and
has required the Spanish government l.
to apologize. 2. To disavow the act of
her officer. 8. To punish him. 4. To
pay damages. That the Spanish govern
ment will meet the requirement is not
doubted.
With regard to Hornet, there will be no
difficulty as the Congress has been dispatch
ed to Port au Prince to convey her to an
American port. If Spanish Minister al
leges that she has committed a breach of
our neutrality she will be amenable to our
laws and not to those of Spain.
While it is true that SagoSta, who 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 harm, as
his party in the Cortes is in a minority, and
would therefore outvote him on any policy
unfriendly to this country.
1t is a matter of official record that about
seven months ago Sen. Sickles in a con-
versation with a distinguished Spanish
General, whose official employment afforded
him ample means for accurate informa-
ton was informed that more than $4,000
600 had been expended for military pur-
poses during the year then passed in Cuba.
He did not state whether or not this large
sum included any portion Of the amounts
disbursed for the fleet of gunbOats main
tanned in those waters, especially in refer
ence to the insurrection. 1t was further
stated that the aggregate force under arms
exceeded 100000 men, more than half of
whom were regular troops, and the losses
of the army of Cuba from various causalities
Of the service exceeded $4,000 men. 1t
was a Spanish Generals impression that
the insurgent force did not number more
than 6,000 of all arms. Gen. Sickles then
heard from trustworthy sources, likely to
be well informed, that the insusgents lost
no ground of importance that their troops
were better disciplined than ever, and that
in several recent actions they gained con-
siderable advantage over Spanish troops,
many of whom were represented as desert
ing.
Reports of the most cruel severity against
prisoners Of war and against non-combat-
ants perpetrated by both parties continue
to reach Madrid. 1t is known that in course
of the struggle in Cuba the rights of Amer
lean citizens were affected by the steps
taken by the Spanish authorities to crush
the insurrectiOn. 1t is being found incon-
venient to refer all such cases to Madrid,
the Spanish Minister here was by request
Of this Government authorized to settle
by agreement with the Captain Gen
eral of Cuba without consulting the
Spanish government questions arising with
this government or its citizens, from cir
cumStances through which island of Cuba,
was passing except is cases of disagreement
with superior authority, or in case of such
gravity that in judgment of Roberts,
might require previous consul
tation with government questions,
were thus amicably adjusted, until power
was withdrawn by the Government at
Madrid, in view, as was officially asserted,
of the favorable situation in which the is
land then was, On account of the
supposed extinction of organized armed
resistance to Spanish authority in
Cuba. The withdrawal of thep over
Of Roberts without notice to the United
States, was regarded as an unfriendly act on
the part ofSpain. 1t was after this that Gen.
Sickles wrote his letter TO the Department
of State announcing, among other things, the
success of the Insurgents over the Spanish
troops.
A Treaty Thief.
Frank McGraw, one of the parties charged
with larceny of treaty seals from the State
Department, to-day pleaded guilty of petty
larceny by consent, and was sented to pay
fine of five hundred dollars, or be impris-
Oned three months.
TfchbOrne.
The United States Registers Office is still
engaged in making inquiries to answer the
questions lately asked by the counsel for de-
PENDANTS in the Tichborne case. The |
Osprey of Boston has been clearly traced to
Australia in 1854. 1t is not yet ascertained
whether she rescued any passengers from
the Bella, but the Osprey herself was lost
on her return from Australia, with seventy
or eighty passengers on board. Some days
must elapse before the counsel receive an
official reply to their inquiries.
Alexis and Spotted Tail.
The Indian Bureau having to-day re-
ceived official information that the Grand
Duke Alexis has agreed TO participate in
the Buffalo hunt proposed by Gen. Sheri-
dan, orders were at once issued to the pro
per Indian agents to take steps to secure
the presence of Spotted Tail and other
famous chiefs on the occasion of the hunt.
Advisory.
The Advisory Civil Service Board organ
lied to-day by the selection of George VIM.
Curtis as President, and Mr.. N. ID. Con-
nally, of Philadelphia, as Clerk. Messrs.
Medill, Walker and CotteIl are still absent.
The Board is now ready to commence work,
and will hold daily sessions.
Postal.
A statement made up by the Postoffce
naDortnant shows that DOStal service was