The true northerner., 1873-11-28
THE SPANISH CRISIS.

Trouble Between Minister sickIes and
the spanish Ministsr-Angry Termina.
ton OF the Interview-sickles' yoic,
for Wharf.-The spaniards Eager for tn,
Fray.
Madrid (Nov. 2o) Dispatch to New York Herald ]
The situation is grave. There is .
serious misunderstanding between Min
lister Sickles and the Spanish Cabinet
On the arrival of the news of the cap
ture of the Virginius, President CASTELAR,
called at the United States Legation
and expressed regret, and ordered q
suspension OF the sentence. When
Secretary Fish telegraphed the news OF
the executions, Gen. Sickles sent a note
at 2 o'clock in the morning, demanding
a stay. The Foreign Secretary an
swered, questioning the accuracy of the
information, and intimating that Gen.
Sickles' action was not authorized.
Thereupon Gen. Sickles, in the name of
the United States, addressed formal
protest against the inhuman butcheries
and insult to the United States flag,
and demanded that Spain should en-
force obedience to orders in Cuba, and
insisted on the right of Americans to
trial under the treaty of 1876. He
complained that the American Consul
at Santiago was prevented from
using the telegraph to Washing
ton. The Spanish Secretary an
swered that the matter was
wholly municipal affair between Spain
and the Virginius pirates. Spain could
not tolerate American interference. The
interview ended by Gen. Sickles de-
manding that Spain should enforce the
order of the Cabinet to Cuba for the
suspension of the executions. The
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs
having declined to permit Gen. Sickles
to discuss the municipal affairs of Cuba,
the interview terminated angrily, Gen.
Sickles saying he would hold no more
personal, only official, relations with
the Minister.
Public feeling runs high. The
Spaniards blame the United States for
the Cuban insurrection, and say they
will welcome war.
A Mob Surrounds the American Legation
ut Observation-Disclosures SiclSles Prepares to
Leave, but is Persuaded by the British
Minister to Stay.
A Washington telegram of the 21st
says:
Dispatches received from Madrid by
the Secretary of State state that mob
which collected in front of the Ameri-
can Legation in that city, yesterday,
was promptly dispersed by the Govern
ment. There is no doubt here in official
circles but that the authorities at Mad
rid are fully capable of preventing any
outbreak. The position of Minister
Sickles is very uncomfortable, but it is
not believed that violence will be of
fered, as Sickles telegraphs that the
Spanish officials are equal to the emerg-
ency. Minister Sickles is in hourly
communication with the State Depart
ment here, and his dispatches indicate
the existence of very strong feeling
against the United States.
The members of the Cabinet this
morning seem to be very serious in their
demeanor, and there seems to be more
extended discussion in all places as to
the probabilities of war than has yet
been noticed.
At the Cabinet meeting, to-day, which
lasted four and a half hours, the official
submitted confirmed the be-
lief that there is no more reason to
abandon the ides of attaining n Just
conclusion now than there was yester-
day. The sensational tales now so rife
may have temporary effect, but the
facts remain as they were when we an
nounced the receipt of official informa-
ti0n that the Spanish Cabinet is unani- |
mously in favor of a satisfactory and
settlement of the Virginius |
but regard the maintenance
of the integrity of Spanish territory as
essen ial When it is understood that |
no new developments have occurred |
since this announcement was made, ex-
cept those regarding the obedience by |
Burriel of the commands of his home |
which, as he says, must |
be accepted as favorable Indications of |
the honest purpose of that Government |
to deal justly, it will at once appear that
the situation promises favorable, if not |
peaceful, results. The Government |
will, nevertheless, continue it's prepara-
lions, in anticipation of unfavorable re-
suits. 1t is now almost certain that de-
lays will occur to such an extent that
the case will necessarily be presented
to Congress in an incomplete condition.
Iuc uCtlNlly III our navy -NdTuS con-
tinues undated, and the Administration
IS apparently making every exertion to
place our war establishment on a foot
ng which will enable us to carry out
any warlike wishes that may be indi-
,ated by Congress.
Every available vessel is being fitted
'or active service with all possible
speed. Investigations of our naval re-
sources have developed the fact that we
IAN, in such short time as thirty days,
make very respectable showing of
armed vessels-sufficien in the opinion
,f many, to enable us to cope with the
spanish navy, which is strong in num-
,ers, but weak in the character of it's
1essels, most of them being of wood or
Lad with thin iron armor, which
would be of small account to resist our
leavy guns.
A Madrid telegram of the 21st says
The Potitica newspaper says that, in
of the steps taken by
Iayard, the British Minister, Gen.
'ickles has suspended preparations
which he had been making for his de-
)arture from Madrid,
- 1t is sumored that the insurgents of
Jartagena intend TO surrender. This
would release the vessels ow in their