The Portland daily press., 1873-11-25

THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT
NOT HOSTILE
NO Trouble Between Gen. Sickles
and the Castelar, Cabinet.
THE WAR FEELING ON THE DECLINE

Admiral POLES Views
The Herald's Washington correspondent rep
represents Admiral Polo as saying to him dur
ing an interview last evening, that there had
can flag, because the Virginus was more en-
titled to it than the flag of Venezuela; that for
three years she has been engaged in
q iawless pursuit, never once during all
port; that there is ample proof that
she was owned by Cubans; that she obtained
her papers by fraudulent representations. and
therefore they were void; that 1t was no mere
assumption on the part of the Santiago authori-
ties that the Virginius prisoners were tlibus-
ters. as they knew it to be fact; that Gen.
Burriel simply carried out the sentences of a
regular constituted council of war.
Admiral Polo further expressed the opinion
that while the situation was grave, there would
be no war unless brought on by the senseless
claim of few
The Alleged Insults to Mr.. Siekles Denied
He added that he was authorized to deny the
stories about Mr.. Sickles' having received the
following telegram from Madrid: Contradict
the reports OF hostile demonstrations agains the
American Minister. Gen. Sickles is treated
with sincere friendship and respect.
Nationality Of the virginias.
The Tribune Washington dispatch says that
the more the case of the Virginius is investgat-
ed the more doubt arises in regard cher legal
status and her right to claim the protection of
the Virginius had prinea tacie claim, and it is
because of this that the President has demand
ed reparatiOn and the surrender of the ship. He
is yet exceedingly anxious to avoid war.
An Opinion BY Eseverdy Jehnsou.
Reverdy johnson has published letter
arguing that the capture of the Virginius was
illegal, and the execution of her crew was AL
act of atrocity, without justification or excuse
under the public law of the world.
War Feeling ON the Decline.
WASHINGTON, Nov 24.-There is nothing re-
ally new to-day in regard to the Spanish af-
fairs except the intmation mainly through
British sources of the probability of Marshal
wal feeling in Washington seems to be upon
the decline although the naval preparations
are as active as ever, and large numbers of Off
GERS are being detailed for d"ty daily. Three
iron ciads will be ready for sea in ten days and
four or five more in six weeks.
The spani.h Ships.
Much has been said about formidable Span
ish iron cads entering our ports 10 case of war,
but old and experienced naval officers here ex-
press the opinion that no one of the Spanish
iroc clads Or any armored ship of the foreign
powers could enter New York harbOr except in
case OF an extraordinary tide, and then great
care would have to be exercised. Even il they
should get in they would be like stranded
whale and fall an easy prev. The great draft
of these vessels, none of them drawing less
than rs feet, renders them Of no use except in
very deep water About the only port on our
coast which theey could enter without trouble
would be Newport, r. l.
The spanish War Policy.
1t has been agreed that in case of war with
Spain the policy CT the Spaniards would be to
to ottack our ports along the coast, but is not
believed by our naval officers. They express
the opinion that the Spanish navy would con-
centrate about Cuba with view to prevent an
attack by the American forces on that Island.
Should they attempt to come on our coast they
would be used up very soon. The Spaniards
would no doubt make every attempt to break
up our commerce on the high seas. but our
wooden vessels would not be entirely useless, as
many would I've armed, as many of them are,
with II and Is inch guns. They would be eff
cient TO great extent IN protecting our com
merce against vessels OF a similar construction
which would be used to prey upon American
commerce.
An English Opinion.
LONDON, Nov. 24-The Times to-day says
that the demands for the surrender of the Vir-
giniuS could not with justice I've maintained, but
other demands which are reported to have been
made on Spain by the United States are such as
England might well join in.
Complaint Of the Spanish Press.
The Spanish press complains that the enc
mics of Spain telegraph false news to the Unit
ed States.
Another Denial OF the Herald,s War Ca
LONDON, Nov. N-The agent of the Asso-
ciated Press here is authorized by Minister
Sickles to say that there is no foundation for
the report published in New York on the Dist
to the effect that he (Sickles) had broken off
the social relations with the foreign minister
and that he expressed the opinion tn vt war was
inevitable Ther re is no fOu1dstion whatever to
the despatch. The official and personal rela-
tions between Gen. Sickles and the Spanish Of
fcas are unchanged, and Gen. Sickles has not
expressed any opinion as to the result of the
pending question.
Arrival Of British Vessels.
HAVANA, Nov M.-The British gunboat
Woodlark arrived at Santiago de Cuba on the
Danol, with Commodore De HOrsey. senior Of
ficer at Jamaica. on board, arrived from Port
Royal. Gen. Burriel had embarked on the
steamer Trinidad for Havana before COmmo-
dore De Horsey came ashore.
| MADRID, Nov. M.-President CASTELAR, receiv-
| ed despatch from Captain General Joveliar
assuring the home government that the authOri-
| ty of the republic will be obeyed N Cuba.
Seizure Of German Vessels by the Span.
iards.
NEW YORK Nov. PA San Francisco des-
| patch states that the steamer Zaptic, from Man
| lila, reports that two German vessels, the
| Maria Louisa and Gazelle, were seized by
| Spanish an-Of-war off the coast of ZoOloo
| and were brought to Manila and condemned,
notwithstanding the protest of the German and
| English consuls. The crew of the Gazelle were
| liberated, but the captain and supercargo of
| the Maria Louisa, who escaped at Conte, will
| be treated as spies if captured The captain
| miles from Zoooo and according to law no
do ovtoDd nj noi1oo