The New York herald., 1873-12-04
PUBLIC OPINION ON THE SPANISH
QUESTION.

How the Presidents Message on the
Cuban situation Il Criticised-The
Amigos de Cuba-The "Atlas" Rumor.
Public opinion on the Spanish complications
seems to have settled down pretty generally to he
belief that the question is to be officially ''dick
cred" out to the bitter end-in fact, to the bit.
terest kind OF an end for the American people.
Every one with whom the reporter conversed yes
terday concerning the clause OF the Presidents
Message to Congress referring to the Vrginius af'
fair expressed the opinion that the language OF
the President was very guarded and discreetly
chosen for effect upon the people. 1t was regarded
as being phrased with view to satisfying the public
iamor, and 1t was also claimed that the condi-
tions which the President sets forth as being de-
manded from Spain by the terms OF the protocol,
ard certain other demanded conditions, OF which
His Exceuency states ut Is understoodn that
"Spain recognizes the justice,r do not meet the
public expectations OF what had been. required
imperatively OF the offending Power There is es-
pecial exec eption taken TO tue word understood"
ana to
SPANS SIMPLE "REcoGNTION''
OF the justice OF the other conditions. People in
cline TO the belief that nations in their
Official intercourse should be bound as to
their obligations toward each other and
that mere understanding" is not sufi-
cient; also that what Spain may recognize
as justice and what she may do to satisfy the re-
quirements OF strict justice may differ widely.
In the next place. exception Is taken in many
quarters to the Withholding by the President of the
correspondence between the governments OF the
two countries. The reason stated ior this reti-
cence is that the correspondence was carried on
in cipher by cable, and is now in the hands OF
amanuenses and transators for veridcaton and
that in view OF the importance OF the question in
VOWED II Is deemed advisable TO await the receipt
OF the mail correspondence The general impression
seems to be that it was hasty action to conclude
the protocol unless the cipher dispatches had
been already verified, and that unless cipher sys-
tens accurate and totally reliable diplomatic
negotiations carried on by their aid are rather I'M
certain. For these reasons many persons are OF
the opinion that there is something perhaps in the
correspondence which would only add TO the popu-
lar excitement which the government is SO desr-
Gus OF seeing abated.
AT THE CUBAN HEADQUARTERS
No. Sc Exchange place, where the Amigos de cuba
assemble there was considerable activity displayed
yesterday The fact is that these gentlemen
seen going or Persons who visit the
headquarters frequently cannot but be impressed
that the expedition which they are unquestionably
preparing will be q formidable one. In reference
TO the Presidents Message on Cuban and Spanish
affairs they expressed themselves as entirely sats-
lied. The only question about which they are In
any doubt Is as TO Spain's good faith and ability to
carry out the conditions promised Senor Arteaga,
the secretary. expressed the belief that the Vr
gnus Will be actually surrendered, without any
attempt to evade the demand
A report prevailed yesterday to the effect that
the Ylrginius had actually been fitted out with all
armament and sailed IRON Havana
IN QUEST OF THE STEAMER ATLAs,r
which was believed to be endeavoring TO make
landing, with munitions and supplies for the in-
surgent Cubans, somewhere along the coast The
only vessel OF that name concerning which any in
formation could be had in New York was the Atlas,
OF the Atlas Mail Steamship Company, sailing regu-
larly between this port and Kingston and Sava-
nlla, Jamaica. She is the vessel which carried
to Jamaica Narona, Ryan and the other patriots
who were captured on board the Virglnius. she
conveyed most OF them to Kingston and con-
siderable quantity OF arms and ammunition also,
as passengers and merchandise respectively.
HERALD reporter called yesterday at the Offices
OF Messrs. PIN, Forwood Co., agents OF the line,
at No. So Wall street, and learned that the CON-
all their vessels, including the Atlas, are British
built and
CARRY THE BRITISH FLAG.
The Atlas is at present somewhere in the vicinity
OF Savanilla, her route being from New York to
Kingston, thence TO Savanllla, from that port
back TO Kingston and thence to New York. The
trm had heard OF the report but had no private
the ground OF the profound respect the Spaniards
entertain for the British nag. She took out no
arms war MATERIAL so far as the agents are
aware, on her present voyage, nothing but an
ordinary general cargo.n III there were arms
they we're falsely nvOiced. She had also but few
Cubans among her passengers, though her list was
q very full one.
In ormation was received by Messrs. Davies,
Turner & Co., of No. So Broadway tnat Francisco
q. Bombaiier, the express agent recently arrested
on tine arrival OF the steamer CIty of New York at
Havana, had been released.