New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-15

NOT present himself In Cartagena ,Wluh buinoion'
force to hold his own against the iron-clads wich
the Cantonians could send against him, and Admiral
Yelverton very properly argues that to give up the
si ps to Admiral Lobo would be to defeat the very
object of the English Government, for the scant
force of the Spanish commander could not cope with
powerful iron-clads and the ships would be taken
| away from him again.
A few DAYS ago. the Spanish Admiral arrived in
Cartagena with three wooden sloops, and, without
an extra hand to man the captured ships, demanded
these ships from the English Admiral. 1t was
pointed out to him that his request could not be
| complied with until he brought at least thousand
| extra hands for the vessels Admiral Lobo the
reasonabeness of this argument and prepared to go
to sea again, first giving official notice that he
established the blockade of the harbor from that
day. This was mere farce, for the hendez Nunez
and Numancia. CantOnian vessels, got up steam to
proceed to sea in search of Lobo, and the English
Admiral, having kindly sent message to
his Spanish confrere, warning him OF this
move, Lobo replied with Castilian grandil-
oquence, "Then l know my duty and will
do it," This seemed to portend fight but not
at a-it was only little byplay, just to save Span
ish honor" and nothing else He did do his duty
He up steam and went off to the safe anchorage OF
Algeciras where he remains awaiting that sventful
day for which he had run away. The words ran
awayD seem harsh when it is known that had he
remained to fight be must have been annhated
but then why that pompous talk about KNOWING
his duty and doing itp Why not have gone
quietlyi Since then Admiral Lobo like averitable
wolf, has approached Cartagena in the night and
sent messages to the English Admiral; but he has
never waited in the neighborhood for the dawn Of
day. The conduct of the English Admiral in not
giving up the ship may appear at first sight founded
on good excuses; but these excuses crumble away
when we think that if he sincere in wishing to
carry out Lord Granvlle's instructions he would
take the captured ships to Algeciras or Cadiz and
there give them up to the Spanlards.
Contreras also spoke to me Of the forces inside the
walls. and assured me that Martinez Campos, even
with ten times the number of men he has at present
could never take Cartagena as for taking it with
1900 men, he laughed at the idea. In Cartagena
there are about 800 mutnied soldiers of the regi
ments of Iberia and Mendigorria, with great num-
Der of officers Who knowing that they lostin their
profession, if the Madrid Government wins, are
keeping up the instruction. Then there are about
1000 volunteers including sailors. altogether form
ing garrison of about $500 men. Pro-
visions are plentiful, and, to judge by ap-
pearances, the siege will last a long time (;
but, from the moment entered the town, noticed
much the same signs of internal dissolution as in
Valencia; and it only requires time think, to work
complete reaction in the town. The losses, as You
may imagine, are great Commerce is completely
paralyzed every nOn-cOmbatant except a few En-
gsh correspondents has left money is very scarce,
and the volunteers longer receiving their two
pesetas about is. Sd. day.. These men, who have
families to support are not well pleased with their
present position, but the presence of other despera
does who have nothing to lose and are ready to set
the town on fire if provoked awes them into faith
fulness Another strong inducement to remain
faithful is the two bQRdos notices. published by the
Junta, which show that the revoutionsts of Carta-
gena are as squeamsh about applying the penalty
of death as the Government of Madrid. The bandos
run as follows:
Having received information OF the arrival OF nuner
spies from the tnemys camp give notice that all
rast forces, and are detained, will he subjected 10
shor council OF war; and be punished with all the rgor
Of the military ordinances. JUAN CoNTRERAs
All crimes OF incendlaiism, robbery assassination in
vasiOn private bouses espionage, sedOn aud deser
will lie submitted to permanent council OF war
These crimes will be punished with all the severity OF
the military laws.
So that while the Government of Madrid declines
to apply the penalty of death to acts Of assassination
and ucendiaTsm and dares not apply the military
laws for the establishment aud maintenance of
the discipline Of the army, under the preteXt that
such laws and puuishments are against the prin-
ciples of Federal Republicans, the still more Federal
Republicans Of Cartagena. who according to their
own WORDS are the only ones who still maintain
the sacred ark of federalism in all its purity submit
to permanent councils of war, and punish with all
the severity of the military laws not only spies and
deserteIs assassns and ncendaries, but also common
robbers.
ROGUE Barcia, the editor of the Justicid Federal
paper which than any other is responsible for
the present state of things, and which was sup
pressed short time ago. is here and edits the official
organ called the Canton NwcdR0. The SpaniaTds
are very brave as a nation, but think it would be
an eXaggeratiOn to call Spain nation of heroes,
especially as | never see here those acts which
could give them the titles they aITogate 10 them
selves with so much vanity. Nouvitas told me
few days ago that bravery is the patrim0ny Of the
Spanards." and all Spanish papers sickening to
read when they treat Of the " honor or bravery
of SpanaIds.
As yet there has been no serious fighting, although
every gun on the walls and in the castles keeps
TO Martinez CampOs but good deal 10 private
property. Many q vine field has already been de-
stroyed by the meTcilcss shells. Several wGdmills
have been all but knocked down and very much in
iuTcd, and many farm-houses and country houses
have been battered. The besiegers quietly
watching the town half mile beyond cannon range
50 the waste of powder and shot on the side Of the
Cartagenans must be very great left the town
yesterday TO see what was passing outside and the
Castle OF Atalaya did me the honor deliberately TO
ten yards aud exploded with terrific force. just
had time to throw myself on my face aud escape It's
ehcctS.
THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE FAIR.
The greatest novelty OF the age and one