Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-29
CUB A.
CUB A.
Uhaos Come Again.
Rumored Scuttling of the Vir-
ginius.
Reported Departure of SickIes
from Madrid.
Both Reports Denied at WASH
@ ingtOn.
Ominous Reticence of Officials.
The Nature of Sickles' Demands.
Castelar, Gets an Extension of
Time.
Castelar, Gets an Extension of
Time.

Castelar, Gets an Extension of
Time.
Special to the Cincinnati Commercial.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.-The final issue
of the Virginius case still remains in doubt
tonight, and the situation is critical. A re-
port has gained credence to-day that the
Spanish Government, in view of the difficult
ties attending an adjustment of the affair
by means of the cable and on other ac-
counts. has clothed Admiral Palo, the Span
sll Minister, with extraordinary powers to
treat with the United States, and that set
tlement has been effected upon the basis of
the three following propositions:
/. The surrender OF the Virginius and
the customary salute to the flag.
2. That the surviving members of the
crew must be restored.
8. Suitable indemnity to be made to FAM
lilies of those slain.
This report has come TO be almost uni-
versally believed, and under its influence
there has been perceptible feeling OF re-
lief by the public generally. Except with
those better informed, and those who have
been in favor of war, the conclusion was at
once accepted that a speedy peace was as
sured.
EBut the real condition of things is entirely
different from that assumed in the report
alluded to. Admiral PalO has not been
clothed with extraordinary powers. On
the contrary, his functions have been ignored
both in Madrid and HAVANA and he has
finally reached point where he is but lit
tie else than a mere clerk, through whose
hands dispatches are transmitted. No
such propositions, as a basis Of the adjust
ment of the difficulty, have been agreed up
ON between the Spanish representative
here and Secretary Fish. 1t is expected
that the CASTELAR, Government viii deliver
the Virginius into the hands of the Treasu-
~ officials at Key West, saluting the flag.
In case this is done the Treasury Depart
ment will proceed against her for viola
ton of the neutrality and registry laws.
If she is found to have violated these laws,
the case of Spain will have been made out.
If she is found not guilty of such violation,
the United States Government will take
effective steps to have the reparation due
her. Our Government will not abate one
jot or title of the demand for satisfaction
till it has been fully acceded to.
The situation is now regarded as being
as full of danger as at any time since the
taking of the vessel. The Secretary of
State seems filled with more serious appre-
tensions than ever before. The ability of
the CASTELAR, Government to meet the re-
quirements of the occasion is exceedingly
doubtful: and if the quarrel is with Spain
she will be held to strict responsibility
whatever may be her government. This is
the position, as outlined by the Admins
tratiOn tonight.
Senator Morton, the only member Of the
Senate foreign Relations Committee in the
city, was closeted with Secretary Fish from
9 \. NJ. till / p. NJ. to-day.
thursdays Dispatches.
Special 10 the Louisville CouricT-Joumal.
WAsHINGToN, Nov. 27.-There is rea-
son to believe that Mr.. Fish shared this
confident expectation. This morning the
leading public men were early on the qui
vive for information, but very little Of an
authentic character transpired. There was
"A wild rumOr ahoat. credited only by fly
g0bblerS and green Congressman, to the eff
feet that the Virginius had been scuttled at
Havana by the SpaniarJlS, after the fashion
of the Confederate vessel Florida i'll l1amp-
ton roads. and there were also statements
current at the hotels. which appeared to
emanate from Gen. Phil. Sheridan, to the
effect that the negotiations had been closed
by the surrender Of Spain to the American
claims. But il was evident this evening
that this last statement could not be true,
and it is deemed certain by well informed
observers Of the situation that the negotia-
tion for the present has broken down, and
that the CASTELAR, government has stated in
response its inability to concede the most
important points of the American demand.
The American Legation Probably
Closed.
Ii is considered beyond doubt that Mr..
Sickles has closed his legation and de-
manded his passports, agreeable to instruc-
tions given him by Mr.. Fish. Indeed, it
was reported tonight, upon the alleged aU-
thority of the Spanish legation, that Minis
ter SickleS had already reached Paris. This
departure of Mr.. Sickles from Madrid is
undoubtedly grave step in the progress Of
this trouble, and the situation may be just
" regarded as extremely critical. The
closing of the legation at Madrid is step
calculated to make the Spanish people ap
preciate the serious and deliberate purpose
of this Government to insist on prompt and
full reparation for the wrong ithaS suffered,
and for this and other reasons, while it is
d step in the direction of war, it may inthe
end prove to be step in the interests of
peace Mr.. Sickles is understood by some
here to have been really tired for some
time of his official position at Madrid. and
anxious to get out of it, provided he could
do so without loss of prestige and with the
eclat of vindicating American rights. A
prominent Senator, tonight, and others,
also well posted, have expressed to your
correspondent the opinion that Mr.. Sickles,
so far from seeking to promote an amicable
adjustment of this quarrel, has really Ell
deavored to bring about war by course
of violence and bullying. They think
matters will 90 on better without him.
Minister DE Bernabe.
The Spanish Minister at Washington,
Admiral Polo, has not received his pass
ports, nor is it at all likely they will be
given him, except Immediately on the eve
of a possible declaration.
Further Negotiation Possible.
A declaration of war by Congress can
hardly take place without some weeks pre-
viously spent in the examination of the
correspondence. and in the discussion which
must occur before so grave step as war is
taken. The official correspondence will be
copied without delay, to be laid before
Congress; and the President. in his message
next week. will undoubtedly recite fully
the entire transaction in Cuba, and the
points of the negotiations which have Just
come TO an unsuccessful conclusion. The
door of negotiation, it will be seen, is not
closed by the closing of the legation at
Madrid. nor even would it be entirely
closed if the Secretary of State were now to
give Admiral Polo his passports. There
would still remain the agencies Of the diplO-
matte representatives at MadriG and Wash
ingtOn ofthe great European powers, which
have friendly relations with the two Cabi-
nets. and which are understood to be earn
eStly solicitOus for the preservation of
peace between them.
statement of President Grant.
As a confirmation of this more hopeful
view of the case. il is Il certain fact that
President Grant stated this afternoon to a
prominent member of Congress that Spain
would accede to the American demands.
and there Would be no war