The New York herald., 1873-11-28
A PEACEFUL SOLUTION PROMISED.
President Grant Thinks That Spains
Pride Need Not Suffer by
Granting the Demands.
MINISTER SICKLES IGNORED.
Secretary Fish and Admiral Polo Fixing Up
the Difficulty Between Them

8 WASHINGTON, Nov. 81, 1873
A long cable despatch from General Sickles
was received this morning by Secretary Fish. 1t
Indicates that sckles has not left Madrid although
the time for the fulflment OF the ultimatum pre-
sented to the Spanish government expired to-day.
1t is confidently asserted by Secretary Fish tnat
the negotiations towards a peaceabe settlement
OF the yirginlus complication were making salts
factory progress. The Spanish government has
made
PROTEST AGAINST OUR FIRST DEMAND,
asking the Intervention OF European powers In
support OF Its position. Judge jeremiah Black
Says that in view of the repeated protests OF the
Spanish government against the yirginius, which
were ignored by Secretary Fish, he Is certain that
spains action, in great measure, was justified in
condemning that vessel according to her laws as a
pirate, and that the whole question will turn on
the butchery OF the crew. 1t Is believed that the
first demand will be disposed Of by the scuttng Of
the virginius, disposition OF the vessel which
would give Spain an opportunity Of following our
example and apologizing.
The latest intelligence from Havana is that
THE vIRGINIUS Is LEAKING BADLY.
and altogether in an unseaworthy condition. 1t
will be remembered taat after her capture she had
to be run ashore on account OF her leakage to pre-
went her from sinking. The above intelligence
probably gave rise to the sensational
announcement on the bulletin OF the
Washington Chronicle this evening that
TO avoid her being surrendered to the United
States government. With this was coupled the
statement that General Sickles had finally taken
his departure from Madrid Both these rumors,
however lack confirmation. The sinking OF the
Virgnius would certainly
DO AWAY WITH THAT PART OF OUR DEMANDS
which is most offensive to Spanish pride. 1t
would be counterpart to the case of the rebel
cruiser, the Florida, which was forcibly taken out
lof Brazilian port by United States war vessel,
dent, our government alleged; by design, it was
said by Others When the angry recamations of
lthe Brazilian government came the American
government apologzed for the breach OF neu-
trality, and regretted its inability to restore the
vessel, which was satisfactory to the Brazilians.
THE EXACT SITUATION OF AFFAIRS TONIGHT
does not materially differ from the intimatlons
given in the HERALD dispatches from Madrid and
Washington. There seems to be no question
that Secretary Fish is managing and direct
lng the settlement from here by communi-
cations direct with Polo, the Spanish Minister
powers in connection with this anair. Secretary
Fish and Admiral Polo were in close consultation
for several hours yesterday, and 1t is under
stood that q final ultimatum was agreed
ON, which, it is believed, will be accept
able 10 the Spanish government, as it
was endorsed and approved by Admiral Polo. This
includes substantially what is given in the HERALD
special from Madrid. and, in addition, the demand
preliminary OF apology for the outrage by the
Spanish government. This Is deemed essential in
order to establish such relations between the two
governments as would authorize any negotiations
In future. Both Secretary Fish and Admiral Polo
tonight are confident that
THE DEMAND OF OUR GOVERNMENT WILL BE Ac.
CEPTED
and peaceful adjustment secured. The friends
OF General Sickles are indignant at his being ig-
nored In such important negotiations, and to all
such complaints Secretary Fish has answered that
he is conducting these negotiations, and whether
Sickes packs or unpacks his trunks, locks
or unlocks the doors OF the American Legation,
stays In Madrid leaves for Paris, has his mails
fere with the settlement OF pending questions
When these graver matters are disposed Of the
personal offences against Mr.. Slckles viii receive
diplomatic attention.
TIE PRESIDENTS OPINION.
The President holds to this view:-"Great
Britain, the greatest naval Power in the world
having no longer than Is years ago yielded her
pretensions to search for supposed criminals
under our nag on the high SEAS
Spain should not consider 1t hardship
to be required to govern herself by the same doc-
trines OF international law, and have reason to
believe that she win announce. II she has not
already done so, her readiness to comply with our
demands for reparaion, should the virginius
prove TO be an American ship, lawfully
SAILING under our nag. But 1t must be
readily seen that our government cannot conccde
the right to any other government to call in ques
tion the lcgaiity Of the registry OF our merchant
ships to justify an assault made on our nag on
the high seas. The American doctrine has always
been, that the police OF our ships at sea BY any
other armed vessels than our own win not be
tolerated by the United States. will not reeede
from these doctrines.
THANKs0 WING DAY.
This has been the most peaceful day that wash.
ington has known for two weeks. The President
and family attended Thanksgiving service at the