New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-03

was entirely unexpected The hitherto active polt-
zeal leaders in Havana are silent in Wow of the ap-
preaching tempest, and calm rests upon the island.
How long tins quicter state of affairs will continue
of course cannot be determined Havana is a vol
cano which may break out into eruption at any
moment.
The feeling against Americans is strong and is
ready TO break forth whenever the immediate fear
Of consequences is withdrawn. The Spanish press
III Havana and throughout tho island is and always
has been strong in its denuuciation of the United
States and ITS citizens, and il is from this source
principally that the great prejudice arises. The
attitude of the United States and the reports of
warlNe preparations at the Navy-Yards and arsenals
tho Atlantic coast occasion alarm. The less vio-
lent journals of Havana deprecate war and profess
to believe that bustilities will not be begun The
DariO de Ia Marina considers war undesirable, but
feels assured that if war must be declared the
SpaniaTds viii be ready. The better classes OF
Spaniards, more especially those who have travelled
through the United States, also express dstaste
for war and avow their belief that the whole matter
will he settled by arbitration. This at all events is
the general desire of the commercial classes; for
apart from the political consequences OF hOstilities,
the effect on the trade and commerce of the island
would be ruinous, involving all concerned in
panic" as disastrous as that which has Just passed
over the United States.
Statistics obtained here show that the United
States purchase 50 per cent Of the sugar crop about
60 per cent Of the tobacco crop and 50per cent of the
cigars These articles aggregate between ,S6j,0000O0
aad S70.000OOO The United States sell to Cuba
about Sl200OOO0 TO SIS 100000 worth Of merChan-
Disc thus showing annual balance of trade iii IA
vor OF Cuba of more than $50,O000JO Without this
large sum of money, the finances of both CUBA and
Spain would he yet more sadly deficient than at
present Another consideration adds further dread
70 any struggle with foreign power which would
make Cuba the base of operations. The island IS
largely populated by negroes whom their owners
believe to be gross ignorant, brutal and ferOcious.
This is true not only the plantations, but
throughout the cities. As these negroes greatly out
number the whites, the latter have surrounded
themselves with numerous safeguards against
slave instruction. Once let the negroes know that
they are superior in strength, say the sayeownors,
and slaughter of the white population would fol-
low, The danger Of such calamity must be immi-
nent it, while all the available regular and volunteer
forces were engaged with a civilized foerthe present
restraint over the blacks We're removed.
The Spaniards are availing themselves Of every
means in their power to strengthen their position in
Cuba. Their resources have been already drained
at home and abroad by the long continuance OF the
unavailing struggle but they are busily engagedin
strengthening the present deienses. In the harbor
Of Havana there are several war vessels Of which
the SaraGossa and the Tornado are the largest.
Moro Castle has been fortified rs strongly as its
position will allow, and several hundred men are
engaged III mounting guns and executing other
measures for the better protection Of the harbor
The guns Just placed in position old, and Of very
small ca1er. Strange 10 say, several OF the more
prominent guns which formerly pointed seawaTd
have been turned upon the CITY, What the cause OF
the change is cannot DO ascertaned, bat it has
given rise to cOnjectures az to whether there
were any fears Of tumult in Havana
Spanish officers i'll the United States have been
ordered to report at Havana, and the Arapes, iron
clad, is expected to arrive here in few days.
There is great deal of activity among the military,
and the VountariOs arc very dlgent in their at
tendance at drill The Spanish Secretary Of the
Colonies is also here on tour Of inspection of the
Notifications and study Of the situation. With all
this however il is scarcely believed that there will
be war The next session Of the Federal Congress is
awaited with great anxiety, as ii is thought that
nothing official will be learned TO the intentions
Of the United States until that body is assembled.
1elegraphic dispatches and rumOTs of various kinds
have been received here 10 the effect that several
modes Of adjustment had been adopted, but none of
them have proved correct The latest of these
a statement to the effect that the whole matter had
been referred 10 the German Government for arbi-
tration. but it is discredited Conjecture hinges
upon the probable recommendations to be contained
in President Grants message to Congress.
THE vIBGIN1Us AND HER PASSENGERS.
The Virgirius is yet lying in the harbor of Ha-
vana and with the Tornado, still attracts general
attention. The survivors OF the expedition are still
confined in Santiago and wiz probably remain there
some time. The history Of the capture of the Viz
pnius and the execution Of The principal persons on
board shows a studied determination TO allow of no
interference with the intentions of those in au-
thorty regarding the disposition of Ryan, Bembeta,
Jesus de- Sol Cespedes Quesada, and the othor vic
Tins What disposition will be made Of the prison
ers confined at Santiago is not vet known, but in
cordance with the instructions of tho Home Govern
lneut, which in this case DO not conflict with the
views of those in power on the Island, they will
probabv be held to await the result OF the compli
cations.
The execution Of the 1G men Of the Vrginius who
claimed TO be British subjects has been duly re-
ported 10 the British Foreign Office, but no advlces
have vet been received as to the course which the
British Government viii pursue. This is a subject
of great uneasiness to he Spa9ardz who fear that
Great Britain viii also intervene. The BRITISH Con-
sular officials received precisely tho same rude treat
ment rs the American officials and their statements
of the facts tally with those already published III
the American Consular correspondence
Much surprise has been manifested at the non-ap-
pearance of the American vessels war at this port
One was seen of the barbor days ago bat could
not be distinguished. 1t is supposed, however that
their instructions not TO enter unless absolutely
necessary The Wyoming is cruising at Santiago,
and there is no doubt that the moral effect of the
presence of an American vessel of at that place
will be good.