Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-12-25

-. ..,---...# NEW YORK, Dec, 81. -.
CHANCE RoR- An ENGLISH SPANISH WAR.
A Times Key West special, dated
Dee. 30, says il is runored that serious
complications in regard to Cuba have
arisen between the Spanish and British
governments. Precisely what, does not
yet appear, but it is certain that the
British West India squadron is to be
speedily and largely increased. The
Havana authorities, it is stated, consider
that the English government intends
some interference in Cuban affairs and
in such a manner as to compHcate the
relations of this. government with Spain.
Admiral Scott looks for the arrival of
the European squadron in. q few days,
when Admiral Case, unless relieved, will
assume the. command. .,:...
II is now looked upon as. certain that
the salute. to our gag required by the
terms of the protocol viii be made in as
formal manner as possible. The feel
. ing among the officers of the squadron
here fs one of much dissatisfaetion.
Tie Yirginius passed. here yesterday
to north, anchoring off the Ossipee in q
lealSy condition.
LATER.
The British Consul General at Havana
has. received dispatches from Lord Gran
vile to Instruct. all naval commanders in
the West Indies Immediately to rendez-
yous in Cuban ports. It is stated that
in official circles it is, certainly known
that the British government willdemand
the punishment of Burriet
CAPT. sURMoNT's STATEMENT.
In his official report to the company
of the loss of the Vile du Hayre. Capt.
Surmont says that he had hardly tine to
Jump on the bridge of the steamer after
the discovery of the Loeb Earn before
the latter struck the steamer right in
the side opposite the main mast. An
enormous hole was made, rendering it
certain that the ship could remain aaost
but q short time. In. fact, the water
rushed in so quickly that there was not
time to close the door of the bulk-head
of the coal bunker. Having been forced
into the engine room, the water was
pouring in that way into the boiler. The
second officer was instructed to superin-
tend the work of disembarktion.
Capt. Surmont then describes how two
boats were crushed and many persons
killed by the falling of the mainmast,
and gives some other details hitherto
published. He then describes how be
sunk with the steamer, and was after
wards picked up. He tells how the
small boats of the Loeb Earn rescued all
the drowning persons they could reach,
and adds that there was not twelve min
utes between the collision and the sink
ing of the ship. / must say that in that
short interval the passengers were ex-
amples Of GOODNESS, calmness and resig-
nation, and at the dreadful time of this
lamentable occurrence, when 355 per
sons were justly alarmed at the
thought of certain death at any mo-
ment, and their only hope of safety was
disappearing, the women were the first
to give an example. The passengers
rescued owe their safety to that forti-
tude which they did not lose for single
moment, and many Eothers would have
been saved if the cold had not paralyzed
their limbs. have the satisfaction, of
learning, since the wreck, by question
ing the survivors of the crew, that ev-
evy one was at his post, and that each
did his duty, and that all went down
with the vessel and were picked up from
the sea. The loss of the unhappy officer
who commanded the watch at the mo-
ment of collision renders me unable to
give an exact account of the occurrence
before taking command myself; but
can declare that the Loeb Earn, to
which IL showed by ships side,
and which consequently had nothing
to fear from me, struck directly against
my vessel at the risk of smashing her
self as well, when by stroke upward,
for 1t was almost so already, this terri