The Portland daily press., 1873-12-22
+ Il Ii L q N.
Demand for the VirQinius

| OcmNuO Tor inc vlFXlmlu9.
MADRID, Dec. 2O.-It is reported that the
cabinet has decided to make a demand upon
tne nited States for the return of the steam
| snip Virginius and her passengers and crew re-
| Gently given up. 1t is also said in accordance
with this decision President CASTELAR, has writ
ten to Minister Sickles.
Success Oyer Rebels, Etc.
Republican troops besieging Cartagena ad-
vanced to within 800 metres of that city yester-
| Gay and took some prisoners during the day.
Inc insurgents made several sorties but were
driven back.
The Minister of War sent despatch to Gen,
dominique, commander of the government
FORCES, congratuatiug him and his troops upon
the success of their operations
| Gen. Sickles, the American Minister, has de-
termlned to tender his resignation.
Famine i'm Bengal.
CALCUTTA, Dec 2O.-One half of the supply
! OF food in the province of Bengal is exhausted,
averted Thus far there has been no actual
distress among the people.
The War i'm Sumatra.
PENANG, Dec. 2O-The Dutch troops in
Acheen are now in possession of all the country
| on the left side of the Acheen river. The
Emperor William Sick.
BERLIN Dec. 21.-Emperor William had a
slight attack OF apoplexy which causes much
anxiety and efforts are being made to conceal
his condition.
Great Britain and Spain.
New YORK, Dec 2l.--A special from Key
West of the goth says information reached here
from Havana yesterday which if authentic is
highly important. 1t is rumored there that Sc
rious complications in regard to Cuba have
arisen, it is understood, between the Spanish
and British governments Precisely what these
difficulties does not appear, but it is certain
that the British West India squadron will be
| speedily and largely increased. The Havana
authorities, it is stated, consider that the Eng
lish government intends some interference in
Cuban affairs and in such manner as to COM
| plicate the relations of this government with
| Spain.
Latest-Since the last despatch was sent, it
has become known here that the British Con-
sui General at Havana has received dispatches
from Lord Granville to instruct all naval COM
manders in the West Indies to Immediately
rendezvous off Cuban ports. 1t is stated in Off
cial circles that it is certainly known that the
British government will assuredly demand the
| punishment of Burriel. The British admiral
has left for ST. Thomas where he expects to be
| relieved.
Cuban Matters.
! NEW YORK, Dec 21.-Oficers of the steamer
| Cuba say that the Captain General has shown
| great nerve since assuming command in the Is
| land, and seems determined to quell the vOlun-
| teers into submission. If he does this he will
| make Havana more safe for Americans than it
| has been heretofore. 1t is said there are great
| many liberal minded Spaniards in Cnba who
| are beginning to think seriously of gra ntng
| Cuba her independence.
Trouble i'm Mexico.
| MATAMoRAs, Dec 21.-At an early hour this
| morning the streets were througed with partiz-
| ans of Gen. Cortinas and John Trevino. the
| rival candidates for Mayor. Several hundred
men headed by band of music concentrated
at the PIAZZA in trout of the City Hail where the
| return judges were to meet to count the VOTE
| About IL O'Clock the present mayor attempted
| to leave the city hall with the returns without
| announcing the result, when general fight en-
| sued in which several hundred snots were fired,
| won1ding the major and six policemen. Eight
| of Cortnas band were carried off badly wound
| ed. The government troops, several hundred
| strong, under Col. Costo, entered the plaza and
| planted several pieces of artillery, covering the
| square, when the combatautS retired towards
the outskirts of the city.
| 1t IS reported by telegraph from Ceraloo TO-
day that A NJ. Saunders, a prominent mer-
chant of Rio Grande City, Texas, had been rob-
| bed and murdered on the road near CeraoO.- =
He had beenln the interior of Mexico for some
months and was on bis return home.
Terrible hatchery.
INGERsoLL, Ont, Dec. 21.-A man named
| collector of the township of West Oxford,
| killed his wife and four children this morning
| about six o'clock, by cutting their threats with
| butcher knife. He also tried to murder his
| two oldest boys, but they succeeded in disarm-
| ing him, and fed for help to the neighbors.
| On their return they found that he had cut his
| own throat. At the latest advices he was still
alive. The cause assigned for the terrible
butchery is insanity caused by financial troub-