Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-11-27

FOREIGN.
The italian Parliament was opened on the
18th by King Victor Emmanuel, in person. In
his address, the King said it had been shown
that Rome might become the capital without
encroaching upon the independence of the
Pope, or the exercise Of the spiritual func-
tons and relations of the Catholic world. The
Pope's religious sentiments and liberty will be
respected, but attacks upon the nation and its
institutions will not be permitted.
The London Daily Neacs of the 18th, in an ed
itorlal article on the prospects of the annexa-
ton of Cuba to the United States, says: ''The
execution of the Virginius eaptives has virtu-
ally decided the fate of the island" The
other London journals of that date contained
editorials of a similar tenor.
1t is said that in his second letter to the En-
peror William the Pope treats of matters
strictly personal to His Majesty, and this &C
counts for the fact that the letter has not been
published. A Berlin dispatch of the 18th says:
ct is not from a motive of courtesy that it
has been kept back. but for the simple reason
that it is entirely devoid of Importance. It
has not been, nor will it be, answered by the
Emperor"
In a message to the French Assembly on the
18th, President MacMahon asked a prolonga-
ton of his term for seven years. The COM
mittee consented to the proposition.
a Havana dispatch Of the 18th says the re-
port received from Cienfuegos that iftyseven
more Of the Virginius prisoners had been exc
cuted was not confirmed by later advices from
Santiago. Adispatch dated Santiago de Cuba,
November T., says a man-of-war had arrived
fI1xa ~
The attitude of the authorities was unyielding.
They insisted on their perfect right to dispose
OF the Virginius as a pirate in accordance
with international law, and that no one had a
right to interfere with them. There had been
no more executions, but trials were progress
ing.
1t was stated in London on the 18th, on Off
cial authority, that the Foreign Office had in
stucted the British Minister at Madrid, the
Consuls at Havana and Santiago, and the Gov
ernor of Jamaica, that the English Govern
ment reserved its decision on the question of
executions which had already taken place at
Santiago, but would hold the Spanish Govern
ment and all concerned responsible for any ad-
ditional executions of British subjects.
Dispatches had been received IN London on
the 18th, from Sir Garnet Woolsley, COM
handing the English expedition against the
Ashantees, giving favorable accounts of its pro-
gress, and expressing strong hopes of success.
The General writes exuitantly of the excellent
moral effect on the troops of recent skirmishes
with the savages.
A Madrid dispatch of the 18th saws the
Spanish Cabinet were unanimously in favor of
a satisfactory and honorable settlement of the
Nirginius difficulty, but regarded the mainte-
nance of the integrity Of the Spanish territory
essential
The report of Costello, the commander of
the Tornado, of the chase and capture of the
flrglnlus, says: THE enthusiasm of the crew
simply battles description, when success
crowned our efforts. The prisoners were
treated with such consideration as their char
acter deserved and the necessity of their safe
Keeping demanded. In addition to the severe
lesson given to the enemies of Spain, the cap
ture has made the inhabitants of Santiago de-
Irlous with enthusiasm"
a Havana dispatch Of the 18th SAYS the
steamer Nirginius arrived at that port on the
afternoon of that day. She entered the har-
Dor with Spanish colors at her masthead, the
gunboat Tornado following. The shores were
lined with citizens, and there was some cheer
ing as the Tornado passed.
A dispatch received from London on the 10Th
stated that Thomas Barring, the founder of
the banking house of Barring Brothers. was
dead.
In the French Assembly, on the 10th, ac-
cordlng to a Paris dispatch, the committees
req rt on the prolongation of MacMahon's
term Of office, was amended by extending the
time to seven years.
The announcement has been officially made
at Madrid, that the effective Spanish force in
Cuba numbers 81, 900 men.
After the adjournment of the French Assem-
bly, on the night of the 10Th, the members of
the Cabinet rendered their designations, but
President Mcmahon refused to accept them,
and prevailed upon them to retain their offices
until the new Cabinet was formed.
A special to the New York Herald of the
10th, from Madrid, says there was a serious
misunderstanding between Minister Sickles
and the Spanish Cabinet. On the arrival of
the news Of the capture of the Virginius,
PRESIDENT CASTELAR, called on the United States
Legation and expressed regret, and ordered a
suspension of the sentences. When Secre-
tary Fish telegraphed the news of the execu-
lions, General Sickles sent a note at two
O'Clock demanding a stay. The foreign Sec
rotary answered, questioning the accuracy of
the information, and intimating that General
Slckles' action was not authorized. There
upon General Sickles, in the name of the
United States, addressed a formal protest
against the inhuman butcheries and insults to
the United States flag, and demanded that
Spain should enforce obedience to her orders
in Cuba, and insisted on the rights of Ameri- |
cans to trial under the treaty of 1896. He
complained that the American Consul at San
tiago was prevented from using the telegraph
to Washington. Tn Spanish Secretary
answered that the matter was wholly
an affair between Spain and the Vir-
ginius pirates; that Spain could not tolerate
American interference. The interview ended |
by General sickles demanding that Spain |