The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-12-08
WASHINGTON,
More About the spanish Troui

WAsHlNaToS, Dec. T.-Advices from
Havana, published this morning, are
more favorable to q peaceful settlement
of the Virginius question. The deve''
opments OF the past week were, as usual
misrepresented by those too stupid to
comprehend facts when stumbled upon
and who, not having enterprise to en-.
able them to keep up with the news ot
the day, content themselves with con-
tradicting the dispatches Of their more
successful and painstakiug rivals. 1t
has been stated in these dispatches that
Havana WAS selected as the place at
which the Vrginius was to be deliver
ed On the following day the state.
meut was contrsdicted, appearing in the
same column with this dispatch from
Havana under date OF November 4th,
which says: castelar, has telegrsphed
to Csptain-General Jovellsr the terms
OF delivery in the port OF Havana. The
day for the delivery was no doubt
selected at tie same time, although it
could not be so clearly established.
Every effort is being made by the Of
ficials here to keep the public in lguo.
rancs Of what is going on"
The concluding sentence Of the pro-
tocol would seem to be conclusive on
this point. 1t reads: 1t is further
stipulated that the time, manner and
place for the surrender OF the Virginius
and the survivors OF those who were on
board OF her at the time OF her capture,
and also the time, manner and place
for the salute to the flag of the United
States, if there should be any occasion
for such salute, shall be subject to an
arrangement between the undersigned
within the next two days. (Signed)
Hamilton Fish, Jose Polo de Barns
lie."
When the Surrender should Have
Been Made.
The protocol was signed on the Goth
of November, and the time, manner and
place for the surrender OF the Virginius
had TO be agreed upon before the ID Of
December. If this was not done there
was failure TO carry out part OF the
protocol, which would necessarily
vitiate the whole. That the Virginius
was not surrendered at Havana last
week is doubtless owing, as was hereto
fore stated iu these dispatches, to the
excited state OF the people there.
Particulars Of the dispatch announc-
ing the time OF delivery, in the port Of
Havana, is said 10 have caused the
greatest surprise among the Spaniards,
who expected that a contrary course
would be taken, and Captain-General
Jovellar had previously telegraphed
10 Madrid that "Thc people were unan'
imously opposed to the steamers sur
render" In view OF these facts, the
Madrid government doubtless asked,
and this government granted an extern
zion OF time, both parties desiring 10
avoid being dragged into hostilities by
the acts Of ofSpaniards in Cuba.
Arbitration Improbable.
The statements that Spain has asked
for a modification Of the protocol itself,
and that she has proposed to deliver up
the Virginius to third power as arbi.
TRAITOR are not probable, 10 say the
least. When the terms OF the protocol
were under discussion, Admiral Polo, on
behalf Of the Spanish Government, sug.
gested that the question OF the surren-
der Of the vessel, should be left to the
arbitration OF q third party, before
whom Spain and the United States
should present their respective claims.
This proposition was rejected by Sec
retary Fish who insisted az the pre-
liminsry step in the negotiations that
the vessel should be surrendered to this
government Whether Spain has or
has not proof that the Virginius had
no right to carry American passengers
and fly the American flag is matter OF
no consequence at the present time and
no amount Of such proof would cause
this government to relenquish it's de-
mands for the surrender OF the vessel
To be Considered In Cabinet To-day
Il should also be remembered as i'm
portant in this connection, that the
protocol signed on the 29th OF Novem-
Der last, is a modification OF our origin
al demands, and that the terms OF the
protocol were propose by Spain, and &C.
cepted by this Government. A request
now for the modification OF the protocol
would be tantamount to an admission
that the Spanish Government finds itself
unable TO carry out the agreement II
such be the case, it will become peces-
sary for this Government to take des
cisive steps to vindicate the nationa-
honor, and ifthe Hsvanese don't speed.
lily yield to the Madrid authorities, the
case will be considered by the Cabinet
on Monday, and will no doubt be sent
to Congress on the following dav.