The New York herald., 1873-11-24
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

War Feeling neutrality-suspicious. Of
Diplomatic Corrcspondence-Thc Com
vention for the Settlement of American
Claims-Friendifness OF the Spanish
NIinister-No Violence Done 10 Siclkles.
WASHINGTON. Nov. %, 1873.
The Spanish question is everywhere discussed
with more calmness than it was last week, and the
impression seems to prevail to a greater extent
than heretofore that there will be no war between
the United States and Spain. 1t is expected in
official and diplomatic circles that the correspond
ence the subject OF the capture OF the Virglnius
and the proceedings which followed will be of brief
duration. II this should be so it would be against
all experience, forr among other things the fact is
revived that when
THE LLOYD AsPINwALI.
legitimate merchant vessel, was seized by Span
ish authority more than three months elapsed be-
fore she was released and restored to her owners,
the proceedings to that end extending to
the governments OF the United States and Spain
and the Cuban authorities. Our government, it is
known has repeatedly protested against the treat
ment of citizens of the United States in the Island
Of Cuba, ana, owing to the earnest efforts of the
Secretary OF State,
A CONVENTION WAS CONCLUDED
between this country and Spain in February 1871,
for the settlement Of the claims Of such citizens
OF their heirs against Spain for wrongs and in
juries committed against their persons aud prop
erty on the Island OF Cuba. within its maritime
jurisdiction since the commencement of the pres
ent insurrection The commission was accord
ingly organized, but has done little business in
the way of decisions, owing to the continued
disturbances preventing the taking OF the neces-
sary proofs In relation to some Of the most i'm
portant cases. There is nothing to show that in
this matter Spain is not acting in good iath One
OF the most serious complaints is that
THE PROPERTY AND ESTATES OF AMERICAN CITIZENS
ARE ARBITRARILY EMBARG0ED.
In violation OF the provisions OF the treaty Of 1895.
The Secretary OF State more than three years ago
complained to the Spanish government, through
General Sickles, that the Spanish authorities in
Cuba seemed to be clothed with absolute power
for the commission OF such acts as were CON-
planned Of but when redress was sought this gov
ernment was referred to the distant Cabinet Of
Madrid, where 1t was often found necessary to
refer again to Cuba for information, and the case
was thus suspended and delayed, to the injury of
the parties and at the hazard of irritation from
delay, OF which the necessity was not apparent to
the impatient sufferer or to the public.
The President mad respected the Spanish claim OF
sovereignty over the Island of Cuba during the
present contest against strong sympathetic pres
sure from without and 1t was added, that Spain
owed it to the United States as well to her own
traditional sense OF justice, that her sovereignty
should not be used for the oppression and injury
the citizens OF this Republic, and in this connec-
tion our government expressed the hope that the
arrest and embargoes complained OF would not
recur and that immediate reparation would be
made for those that had taken place.
THE RECENT CAPTURE OF THE vIRGINIUs
sailing under the American FAC and the m ma rv
proceedings at Santiago de Cuba, without giving
the United states an opportunity of being heard
as party interested, are the cause or the present
naval preparations to prevent the recurrence or
similar acts by being ready to compel respect to our
nag ana to guard our citizens, either in Cuba
or on the seas from arbitrary arrests and spola-
ton OF their property.
THE TONE OF THE SPANISH MINISTRY
continues friendly, and disposition is manifested
act in all matters in controversy in such way
as will preserve peace between the two nations
The only important communication received to-
day from Madrid was by the Spanish Minister, Ad-
miral Polo, who communicated the contents to Sec
retary Fish. The Spanish Government contradicted
the report OF any hostile manifestations against
the American Minister, and say that General
Sickes is treated with consideration and respect; ;
that some intemperance Of language OF the mon
archical press was promptly sienced by the threat
OF immediate punishment and that the Minister
OF the Colonies reports from Havana that the res
toration OF embargoed property to American citi.
zens is being diligently proceeded with.
The New England senators Opposed to
War with Spain-Opinions OF senator
Mitchell and Speaker Blaine.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 49, 1873.
The indicate ons are that the New England Sena-
tors win be opposed to any warlike measures
against Spain, and insist upon some mode being
adopted which viii bring about reconciliation be-
tween the two countries. MIR. Boutwell's speech,
deprecating war, and Senator Summers letter TO
the New york meeting, opposing hostiities as fatal