The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-01

ment ON President Grants message to Com
gress. Inference is drawn therefrom that the
neutrality which the United States has so far
maintained with regard to Cuban affairs may
soon be exchanged for more active policy.
To this the Times finds no objection but even
goes so far as to declare it best that Cuba be
separated from Spain. The Times makes fore
cast of the political prospects in America, and
comes to the conclusion that General Grant will
certainly be reelected.
Great satisfaction is shown at the victory won
by the voters of New York city over the corrupt
officials, and the hope is expressed that all who
swindled the city be brought to justice and suf
fer the penalties for their crimes.
A ship named Edward foundered off Fal-
mouth, yesterday All on board were lost No
RUSSIA.
THE RECEPTION OF ALEXIS.
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 30.-The Journal De
st. Petersburg, the Russian official organ saws
that the cordial reception of the Grand Duke
Alexis in the United States creates a profound
sense of satisfaction throughout Russia. The
visiting relations between the two countries,
strengthened by the noble hospitality with
which the son of the Emperor has been receiv-
ed, are now more than ever pledge of endur-
ing amity which cannot but contribute to the
general peace and progress of humanity.
FRANCE.
VICTOR HUGo's PLATFORM.
PARIS, Dec. 3O.-Supplementary elections are
to be held in Paris to fill the vacant seats in the
Assembly. Victor Hugo has accepted nomi-
nation on the platform of principles which en-
braces the abolition of capital punishment, the |
raising of the state of siege in Paris the non res
toratlon of a monarchy, a proclamation of gen.
eral amnesty, the dissolution of the present AS
sembly, and the removal of the seat of govern
ment to Paris.
A nomination was rendered to Marshal Nc
Mahon, and he declined.
THE BANK OF FRANCE
The Assembly yesterday debated all day on |
the question of augmenting the circulation of |
the Bank of France The discussion took a |
wide range President Theirs spoke several
times, and on one occasion, abiding to the VIC |
lent language used by Deputies, provoked by |
the threats of the Germans, said that silence |
was the best reply to the hard words of Bis |
marck. This was received by prolonged ap-
plause. Throughout the debate Theirs express |
ed determined opposition to burdening the
present fiscal year with fresh loans. The As
sembly finally voted to increase the note of cir
culation of the bank by 400,000,OOO francs. At |
the close OF the session the Assembly adjourned |
until the third of January.
ITALY.
RECEPTION BY THE KING. .
ROME, Dec. 31.-King Victor Emanuel gave
reception to-day to the foreign ambassadors
at Quirinal. All the representatives of the
European and American Governments who had |
come to the city to take part in the ceremonies
were present. Hon George p Marsh, United |
States Minister, and senior member of the di-
plomatic corps, delivered felictous address on
their behalf. The King replied in similar terms
CUBA.
PRACTICAL ENsLAvEMENT OF THE CHINESE.
New YORK, Dec. SO.-The Worlds Havana
letter of the 23d inst, says Count Valmazeda
has just decreed q practical enslavement of the |
whole Chinese population of Cuba, numbering
some $4,000 souls. The decree orders the 10, 900 |
or $4,000 free Chinese to Immediately enroll
themselves under the tutelage of government |
nd
receiving for their labor only $4,000 per mouth |
out OF which to provide against a rainy day
and ordering that all Chinese who are now
working under contracts to be reindentured on
the expiring of terms or be by his daughters
The same correspondent expresses the belief
that the HAVANA students in the chain-gang
will soon be pardoned
THE FALSE MANIFESTO.
The signatures, $4,000 in number) to the docu-
ment recently obtained from surrendered insur-
gents at Puerto Principe are said in the MAORI
ty of cases to have been fraudulenty procured
on the representation that it was a petition to
the King for release of their enlarged prop
erty.
THE CASE OF DR. HOWARD.
The Herald's HAVANA letter says the trump
cry charge upon which DR.. Howard was arrest
ed was through the following circumstance:
1t appears Howard as long ago 1854, sold
to a Spanish gentleman named Buryor, who
dabbled in amateur municipalities, two small
session for some time and his own name,
(Howards) engraved ON the lids This Bunyon
was high enough in the confidence of the gov
eminent at the time to be appointed an officer
of the Treasury at Tunas Upon the breaking
out of the insurrection however, he left Tunas
and returned to Cienfuegos whence he joined
the instruction, and carried with him the med
icine chests. Shortly before the close of the
last year the insurgent camp was surprised by
some Spanish forces, and medicine chest with
DR.. Towards name engraved on it was found
among the spoils of the captured The arrest
of DR.. Howard was the immediate consequence
and being uncle to the two Sandals, Adolfo and
Fredrico and the German Barris, formerly US.
Consular Agent at Cienfuegos, his guilt, in the
eyes of the Spaniards was foregone conclu- j
sion. DIR. Howard, after languishing over a
year in prison was at last confronted by his ac-
cusers and refuted their charges of his having
supplied medicines to the insurgents or of hold
ing communication with any of his nephews.
Finally the proceedings in his case were order
ed to be submitted to a court martial of which
several officers of the Cienfuegos volunteers
formed a part, and the fiscal or prosecuting of
priSonment. The court martial was held ON the
10th and the sentence found against him by his
unjust judges was eight years in the preside
(chain-gang) and the contiscation of his prop
erty. The proceedings and sentence are yet to
receive the approval of the Captain General
and it is hoped that efforts to be made by the
United States Government will prove success
full In having his case reconsidered.
The only property that the Doctor possesses
is a dwelling house in Cienfuegos and is occu-
pied by his daughter.
THE CASE OF THE FLORIDA
HAVANA, Dec. 3O-The report telegraphed
to this city to-day from New York that the
steamer Florida had been captured by Span
ish man-of-war Vasco Nunez De Balboa, and
and pronounced false After the Florida had
sailed from st. Thomas, Spanish ships followed
and fired flank cartridge at her. The Florida
continued on her way and the man-of-war then
discharged ball cartridge, the Florida at once
laid to and boat was sent from the Visco
Nunez Du Balboa, the officer in charge hav-
ing orders to examine the Florida's papers. As
no fault was found with them she was allowed
to proceed on her voyage The Spanish vessel
has since returned to Cuba.
ENGAGEMENTS. .i
Several engagements have lately taken place
between the Spanish troops and the rebels
under Modesto Diaz A telegram from the
officer in charge of the Spanish forces announ-
ces that thirty Cubans have been killed.
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.
VARIOUS MATTERS.
NEW YORK, Dec. 30.-Panama papers of the
18th inst. are received. The barque Hunter of
Hennebec, Me-, Capt. Brown, from Aspinwall
for Boston, was wrecked off the Bahamas No
vember sd. The crew were saved by the steam
er Elbe.
Central America is quiet.
South American advices of Nov. 9th, from
Stitte MelSereJO
livar was assassnated by his son-in-law in that
city. Both were exiles.
The branch bank at Callao was robbed of
$4,000
There were three more earthquake shocks in
Arequi the Goth and 21st of November.
Chill is about sending military commission
to Europe to purchase arms and other war ma
terial.
MEXICO.
REBEL SUCCESS
under Quiroga entered Meir this morning. The
government forces falling back to Camargo
without resisting. The town of Tulo has pro-
nounced for the revolutionists. This pronun-
ciamento closes all communication to the gov
| eminent forces between Tampico and San
Louis Caules nominated for government of
Tamanlipas is organizing national guard to
\ defend the state.
! Cortmas' forces are at Cawargo where it is
! expected they will retrench and fight.
! The occupation of Meir by the rebels gives
them port of entry ON the frontier to obtain
supplies
PROGRESS OF THE REvoLUTIoF.