Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-11-24
THE CUBAN COMPLICATION.
Summary Of News to Last Geht By Nail and Telegraph.
SPANISH CONCESSIONS.

SPANISH CONCESSIONS.
The Spanish Minister, Admiral Polo, has re-
ceived a telegram from his government and
communicated a copy Of the same to Secretary
Fish, stating that the Spanish government con-
trsdicts the report Of any hostile manifestations
against the American Minister, and, saws that
General Sickies is treated with consideration
and respect; that some intemperance of Ian
guage OF the mona-chieal press was:promptly
silenced by the threat OF immediate punish
ment.
Admiral Polo also informed Mr. Fish that the
Spanish Minister OF the Colonies, now In Ha-
vana, has informed him that the embargoed
property OF American citiz viii be released
as soon as POSSIBLE and that the estates in ques-
ton will be restored TO eheir legitimate owners
ARBITRATION TALKED OF.
President Castelar, had long conference yes
terday with Mr.. Layard. the British minister.
The result of the interview ia favorable TO the
continuance of good relations. The idea OF sub
hitting the case of the Nirginius to arbitration
is much talked Of Should this course be agreed
TO, the German emperor is indicated as the prob
able arbitrator.
SPANISH OBJECTIONS TO OUR DEMANDS.
A Washington dispatch 20 the New York
Herald says: The parish objections TO our E.
mands are the following:-Fi the Vir-
ginius is not an American ship, even under our
laws, as she was owned BY Cubans, and regis
tered falsely in the name of MIR. Patterson, re-
siding in New York. Secoudly-That she had
forfeited even this false registry by her subse-
quent sale to other parties, and, although she
was afterward repurchased in the name of her
former nominal owner, She was not newly reg
istered as our laws require. Thirdly-That she
has frequently sailed during the past two wears
under the flags of other countries. Fourthiy-
That General Ryan, whose execution was the
first party shot, is made the occasion of one of
our reclamations, was not citizen of the United
States as alleged. Fifthly-That the Nirginius,
at the time of her capture, was engaged IN an
unlawful expedition against a friendly power,
contrary to the neutrality laws OF the United
States, and that all on board might have been
arrested, tried ana convicted under these laws,
both on this occasion and previously, without
reference to the question whether war existed
in Cuba or not.
PRESIDENT GRANTS TALK.
A Washington dispatch to the ". /. Hsral d
has the following:
when the government makes every prepare
ton for an aggressive or defensive policy, fits
out its navy and does everything to make the
army effective, up to the limit of calling for
troops, you can put whatever construction you
please on such activity. II | were to judge of
such movements as a civilian should say they
were warlike. do not remember of anything
of the kind having been done in this country
which was not the preface to peace or sat- STAG
ton for our offended honor. SO far, believe.
our history sustains me in this assertion. Ii my
message TO CongrC Is does not convey this idea
IL will be because forget the words in which to
express it,"
This was the language of President Grant in
conversation with Senator, whose influence
As well as his vote will be important when the
present relations with Spain come before Con-
gress for consideration.
WHAT THE LONDON TINES SAYS.
The London Times yesterday says that a de-
mand for the surrender of the NirgniUs could
not with justice be maintained, but the other
demands reported to have been made on Spain
by the United States are such as England might
join in.
THE SPANISH FRTGATH ARApILEs.
The work OF mending the rudder and caulk-
ing and painting the keel of the Spanish frigate
Arapiles continues briskly in the dry dock at
the Brooklyn navy yard, and her battery will
probably be mounted on Monday or Tuesday.
No information can be obtained at the yard of
the intended sailing of the frigate, but it will
probably be in readiness to leave the dock by
the latter part of this week. Her officers refuse
to allow any one TO board her.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN EURRIHL AND THE
AMERICAN CONSUL.
Three letters of United States Vice Consul L.
g. Schmitt to Burriel are published. The first,
dated Move mber I'd, asks why dispatch sent
by the consulate of the United States of Amer-
ca, at O'Clock to-day, to the office OF the tee-
anna, directed TO the consul of the United States
in Kingston, Jamaica, for information as to the
nationality of the steamer Virglnius, was de-
tanned by BuIriel.
The second letter, dated November Sd. re-
pc ats the above inquiry, to which no reply had
been received, and says; II respectfully ask
the prison and on board the vessel where the
latter are detained as prisoners, to enable me TO
fulfill my duties as consul representing the gov
eminent of the United States.'
sui sent Burrel a third letter, saying that he
was still without replies to his letters.
Burriel, in his reply, refers to the telegram
and makes a facetious allusion to the consul's
expression Of the American colors, saying that
there were many American nations, and il is
not clear to which one Of them the consul re-
fers. He said that the consul's demand to visit
the prisoners was without foundation, as he had
received no official information OF their nation
ality, and, so tar as General Burriel knew, had
not been requested to visit them Abiding es
ma n 1yr ~ n ~ NJ h. he
Ryan claimed to be an English subject, having
been born in Canada. Burreil thus concludes:
"Such conduct, in view of the fact that Ryan
was English, makes it necessary for me to pro-
pose to the government that your exequatur as
yice-c0nsul be annulled, because an official who
sends protests upon such slight foundation, aud
who tries to deceive the Spanish authorities, ac-
customed 10 transact business with a rectitude
and loyalty, which are notorious to all, cannot
but compromise the dignity OF the country
which he represents. and become the cause OF
extremely annoying questions between the
countries which should regard each other with
mutual respect. j. N BURREIL."
1t seems that Vice Consul Schmidt wrote an
other note, TO which General Burreil in the
same insolent tone, complaining strongly of the
pertinacity and oifciousness of Vice Consul
Schmidt in wishing to intervene in affairs in
which he Lad no proper concern, iDtimating
that If the vice c)nsul had asked permission to
visit the PRISONERS as favor it would have been
granted, but asking il officially as a right, it
would not be conceded.
From the Santiago de Cuba correspondence of
FL Cronsts it appears that after the British
vice consul found his efforts to secure post
ponement OF the shooting of the persons claim
ing British citizenship were vain, the British
commodore at Jamaica took the matter in hand,
and teiegrsphed to the governor of Santiago de
Cuba in the following words: 'In the interest of
the friendly relations existing between our re-
spective governments l beg you to delay the
execution Of alleged British subjects captured
on the Nirginius until the captain of the Niobe
can communicate with you. The Niobe leaves
tonight for Santiago" To this urgent request
Burriel CURLY replied 81 do not possess the
authority Ono tene9o faenLtades) TO accede to the
petition you sent me. The law must be full
filled Consequently the men who claimed to
be British subjects were executed without allow
ing any time tor investigation as to the truth or
falsity of their claim.
CAPT. FRY's APPEAL FOR HIS CREW.
Captain Fry made a written statement while
on the Tornado, with a view to save the lives of
some OF the prisoners. The crew, he said, were
told that the Virginius was occupied in trade
among the islands. "The consul" he saws,
.knows well that am not pleading for my life.
have not prayed to God for it, nor even to the
Blessed Mother. | have neither home nor