Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-12-11
NEWS oF-TAE WEEK,
The Cuban Question,

y The cuban Question.
Late dispatches from Washington arc not
favorable to speedy settlement OF tho Vir-
guius matter. Letters have been received In
New York showing that Marimo Gomez, to
Virginius, attacked and captured a number OF
Spanish fortified camps fn tho vicinity OF SAN
tiago. He made over 200 prisoners, and,
marching them close mp to. Santiago, shot
them in fall view Of the Spanish fortifica-
tions, and then sent word to Burriel to come
out aud bury them. Burrel left Immediately
for Havana.
The Spaniards OF New York have appointed
a committee Of their number to prepare an
address testing against the terms OF the
protocol l. eed to by Admiral Polo at Wash.
ington. a calling for its rejection by the
home gov. ment.
tion to con unicate concerning the arrange.
mcnts for the surrender OF the virginius aud
hor survivors and her crew to tho United
States naval forces. Nothing has been re-.
rcivcd to cause apprehension that Spain 8
part OF the protocol will not bo carried into
effect. The statement is unreservedly made
that the Spanish officials are acting in good
faith.
a Philadelphia dispatch s1ys :y,rhe oiDccrs
here OF the Southern slail Steamship Com.
pany. state that tho assertions published and
credited to CsIs. G. Barrett, Of the Yaxoo, 10
the enect :.nat the Vrginius had been fitted
ont As = man-ol war and that great alarm is
cit at Havana by American citizens, arc false.
The Voce do Cuba says the leading mer-
Chants IT Havana have held meeting to pro-.
vide for the purchase and armament Of a
number OF fast steamers to act as cruisers in
case Of war with the United States. Colonel
Jlmenez, OF the First Battalion OF Volunteers.
has offered to arm six sea-goipg vessels out
OF his own means. aud the merchants Of Glen
fuegoes have ordered the purchase Of two fine
steamers abroad for war service and late in
formation increases the Ehmber ordered. It
is reported that several battaliops Of volun
tcers will te organized Immediately, and .
Catholic society proposes 10 organize . sani.
tatc battalion.
Many influential Spariards expressed tho
"opinion that further difficulties can be avoid.
cd provided the conditions Of the surrender
Of the VirSinius be changed. They are not
unwilling to SEQ her delivered into the hands
OF neutral power, and question her right to
bear the American flag, even If go decided by
arbitration. A majority Of the people are do
tcrmined not to permit the SCR
vcndcr OF the Virginius directly to the
Americans, and il this is insisted on there
oy'll be serious conflict. Calm people express
she hope that the UEited States will waive the
question Of direct delivery. The authorities
are willing to obey the mandates Of CASTELAR,,
but the Spaniards will not consent to direct
surrender to the Americans. II CASTELAR, and
the Government Of the United States insist,
the authorities Will be compelled to abdicate.
The situation is extremely complicated. and
nobody can tell the result.
The London Times publishes IN official
list Of British subjects taken prisoners on the
Virginins aud afterwards executed Ut San.
tiago. The Times, commenting upon the
act, says The British Government. while de.
manding the surrender of the survivors, must
carefuliy avoid committing itself to the prop
-osition that the seizure OF the virginius was
illegal.
The National Treasury.
falling on in the revenue caused by tho nnanctal
crisis, and bases the estimates Of recetpts some
what thereon shows the coin receipts are still
more than the interest ON the public debt and other
coin expenditures; recommends economy; reduc-
tion In appropriations, and, II the effects Of the
arrangement In business should continue and
make it necessary to provide national means, he
recommends judicious additional TAXATION rather
than resort to borrowing and increasing the public
debt.
The operations under the refundlng act, for the
year ending December 81, 1874, make saving Of
ono million dollars In the annual result. The en-
tire saving Of annual interest under ito operations
is three millions.
He recommends that action be taken, before
January next, for the payment Of the Sqo,ooo, 900
loan Of 1858; condemns the practice of paying Ne
tcrest on deposits a. tending to accumulate cur.
rcncy in large cities. where Is used largely by spec
ulators whose operations tend directly to increase
the annually recurring stringency In the money
market and to deranSe business generally.
The Secretary alludcs to the prevailing sentiment
that more elasticity should be given to the volume
of currency, and earnestly recommends to the wis.
dom Of Congress careful consideration of the
subject, and that such inquiry further innaton Of
irredeemable paper currency should be avoided,
specie payment be kept in view. He regards any
large augmentation Of legal tender notes In time
ofpeace a. q departure from the declaration Of
public policy, and the pledge Of the public faith to
the national creditors made In the act Of June 30,
1874, that the amount Of such notes should never
exceed $4oo 900, well 20 from that more SOL
cmn pledge contained in tho first act of the Forty
first Congress to make provisions at the earliest
period Of the redemption Of United States notes In
coin.
He refers to the uncertainty In public opinion q
to the right and policy Of issuing the forty four
millions, called the reserve, and recommends the
exact status thereof be hxed BY Congress. He op-
poses the issue OF any part Of the Same to inato
tho currency; suggests 1t to be hold for reserve
under restriction also recommends changes In the
law, - there practical difficulties TN Carrying
out the purpose Of Congress under the present law.
thorough revision Of the custom laws 10 recon-
mended. The tonnage tax should be repealed, and
new laws regarding the license and enrolment of
vessels should be made, far they effect canal
boats, and similar crafts employed the internal
waters of the states. The reorganization Of custom
districts on the Atlantic coast and various changes
in the laws respecting our navigation are recon-
mended.
The Secretary details what has been done in tho
suggests further legislation.
Disaster at Sea.
THE steamship Vile du Havre, from New
York for Havre, was sunk at sea by collision
with the British ship Locherne, on November
23 She had on board 3l3 ,arscus. of which
Dumber only 81 were ye,i, ,..'::illg loss Of
226.
The Vile du Hayre was struck amidships
by the LochHrne and sunk in twelve minutes
after the collision. The Locherno immedl.
ately lowered their boats, which rendered all
service possible by them. Fi!ty-three of the
crew were saved, including the captain, and
those 70 to make up the eighty seven saved.
Among the Passengers were ten women, which
number she transferred to the Trimountain,
OF New York, and they were taken t. Cardiff.
The Villc du Havre was formerly tue Napo.
leon III. She was altered and enlarged last
winter, and came here for the first time ~ the
Vile du Havre on the 9th Of April, making the
passage from Brest in nine days and twenty
three hours.
With the exception Of the Great Eastern,
she was the largest steamer that ever entered
New York. Her dimensions were 43o feet by48
feet. Her carrying capacity was $500 tons,
foreign measurement. Her main saloon was
lifted up with marble mainscoting Of three
varieties the upholstering was velvet, and
the wood work carved in the most unique de-
signs Her cngints We're compound direct
acting, 3,2oO horse power, made in England.