, 1873-11-28
NO BETTER, NO WORSE.
So Secretary Fish Defines the
Situation Yesterday,
More Time Given Spain to Reply to
Our Ulifmatum.
Negotiations Still Active, with
Uncertain Results.
Elaborate Dispatches Received
in Washington from
Madrid.
Their Contents O. 0fficially Consid-
cred but Not Divulged.
Minister Siolkles Reported to
Be About to Be Recalled.
His Usefulness Destroyed by His
Quarrel with Figueras,
The Government Negotiating Without
fills Aid.
Consultation Between President Grant
and Secretary Fish.
Rumored Sc1ttling Of the Virgin
i11Q at; Havana
His Usefulness Destroyed by His
Quarrel with Figueras,
The Government Negotiating Without
Ills Aid.
Consultation Between President Grant
and Secretary Fish.
Rumored Scuttling Of tho Virgin
iuS ut Havana.
A0VtCES FROM WASHINGTON.
Special DispatcA to Tie Chicago Tribune.

Special DispatcA to The Chicago Tribune.
4 sfuDnLE.
WARRINGTON. Nov. 27.-Tho Virginiun mattcr
is moro completely muddlod tonight than ever.
Tho floating r,,nors Of tho day would fill vol
umc. and there is nothing to be got from Gov
ornment oficinls. Dispatchcs hayo becn ro-
coived at tho State Department. from Madrid,
but tho Secretary rofusos to give out tl1er con-
tents. In response to inquired, ho returns tho
roply: "Nothing new; the situation 10 at loast
10 vorsc, while it can't DO INSERTED to be any
bottor."
a1CK1E's MISTAKE.
While Polo has boon ignored By Ills Govern
mont, it is also true that Sickloa imuairod his
usefulness by r1,pturipg friendly relations bo-
twcon himself mud Figuoras, and for some days
our Government has carried on negotiations
without bis ase?stancot Whether tho pon;;iiiu,g
recalled, as no longer etlicient, il he has not
already obtained permission aud withdrawn
from tho Spanish Capital Of Ills own accord.
SECRETARY FISH
WAS up oil last night receiving dispatches, and
lhns uniformly refused to soc callers to-day,
: PEOPLE ALE GROWING TIRED
say TINT they would bo willing 10 sacrifice aomo
Of tho subtle points, II they could only onco
that 1t silall not bo iu the power Of f}lbus-
tering loafera to plunge nations into war.
ITO ths -issoetdt<d I'resa.1
THE ULT1sIATuM NOT PRESENTED.
WASHINGTON. Nov. W.-It Ia stated, on what
is believed to be good authority, that our Gov
ernmeut liaB extended the ti1no for d definite
rop}y from SPUN to the demands OF our Govorn-
ment; and it can DO said, coming from an otlicial
SOURCE, that negotiations, are still III progress.
intimation can 10 given Of their character.
Thore is rcaaon for sayipg, with certainty, that
THE PROSPECT ~ NOT 80 FAVORABLE
for m adjustment Of tho Firginius difficulty as
Spanah Cabinet Ind agreed to surrender tho Vir-
Cinins was prcacatod mainly OIL professions Of
tho Willingness OIL tl1o part OF tho Castelar, Cabi-
| net to do everything compatible with honor in
satisfaction OF tho wishes Of tho United
! States and also, from tho friendly assurances
| action III tho promises.
| INTERVIEWS AT MADRID.
| Thfs Goyernnleut.yostorday and to-day was in
| receipt Of dispatches from Aad1id Of IN olabor-
between Minister Bckles and tho Spanish Minis.
ter for Foreign AtfairH, on points in controversy
not yet concluded, nor from present Indications,
is 1t probable ihnt tho matter will BOON bo ter.
minated BY negotiations, although it is hopod
tnoro will 10 bomuthing loAnito to lay before
Cousresa on tho day tho Presidents message
shall 10 transmitted to That body. Aa
| THE NEGOTIATION IL STILL TENDING
thoro eau bo no truth in tho report, frooly circu
lated toay, that Minister Bickos lad loft Aladrit
| for paria
THE y1Hd1N1us IT'LL. ABOVE WATER.
Another report prevailed that tho Virginu
had boon aouttlcl in tho port Of Havana. In
QurY at Official souroen Tonight failotl to confirm
| itB truth.
TIE PRESIDENT
tllia morning called ut tho residence of Score
tary Fish, with whom be Lad a consultation o.
tho pondiug negotiations.