The Portland daily press., 1873-03-31
The War i'm Spain.
THE SEVEREST BATTLE YET.
Spanish Finnnccs.-TrOuble for the Re-
public.

MADRID, March 29.-Senor Tetnan, Minister
of Finance at the cabinet council YESTERDAY
stated that the finances of the country were in
deplorable condition, and warned his colleagues
that the Republic could not remain master of
the situation unless radical changes were made
in the fiscal ministration.
The levy OF troops on masse in Catalonia and
the adjoining provinces to fight the Carsts has
so far proved a failure. A deputation from
Barcelona demands its postponement, and in
sists on the delivery of the Ii, 900 rifles which
the government promised the people of that
city.
A Refraction.
BERLIN, March 29.-The North German Ga
zette (ofi 'ial) to-day makes retraction of an
article it published some time since ridiculing
the inaugural address of President Grant. The
Gazette says the full text of the address which
has now been received from the United States
differs in many respects from the telegraphic
summary published in the German papers ON
the day after its delivery, and for that reason
the journal is led to considerably modify
the view it first took of the document.
BARCELONA, via London, March 29.-GHerald
Special IA sharp battle was fought near
Vich, in Catalora, so miles north Of Barcelona,
Sunday, March 23, in which the Government
troops were severely handled and beaten by
the combined attack of several bands of Car
. lists under SavallO. A force of 10000 infantry
go cavalry and four cannon under the command
of Col VEGA left Vich, Saturday by the north
ern highway to support convoy of supplies on
the mountains on the way to Ripoll. All of
the country is mountainous, but the first half
of the distance is not difficult, but there being
enough of open country near the road to give
the troops chance to defend themselves Be-
You'd that country is worse; the highway APP
proaches the river Ter, mountain stream run
ming through deep valley road for many miles.
In the same valley is often crossed by small
tributaries of the Ter, and is overlooked by
jutting rocks of the height of San Hippoits
and San Lucra. The troops rested Saturday
night in the neighborhood of these heights iu
the open country. In the meantime, intelii-
gence of their movement was conveyed to Sa-
vallo the Carist commander at Catalonia, who
was at Manlfen, on the river Ter, five miles
east of the heights of San Hippolo, and who
sent word during the night to Generals Galce-
ran, INFECT and GUN commanding the forces
of the Carlists. Altogether 1000 troops occu-
pied the heiohts of San Hppolo to dispute the
passage. Miret was in position at day light
while the others slower in their movements
followed. The Government troops on Sunday
morning resumed their march and when I'M
der the heights, Miret's men opened on the
cavalry and advance of infantry. Col VEGA
supposing it was but small party and would
be scattered by few shots pushed on but soon
found fire from all sides increasing in sever
ity. The Carlists abandoning the protection of
the natural defences, assailed the Government
troops, but being taught caution by previous
losses the fighting became desultory for time,
At that juncture the other Carlists came up
and attacked impetuously, and after hard
fight Galran fell MORALLY wounded. The tide
turned against the troops who gave way and
being pushed hard retired reciptately. En-
couraged by this the Carlists followed up the
advantage They were checked occasionally at
open places by the Government artillery, but
as the Carlists could follow behind The hills to
points where they commanded the highways
and might thus cut off retreat and issolate the
columns of the Spanish troops, the command
er of the latter did not venture to rely on this
advantage but continued to retire until sup
ported by reinforcements from the garrison in
Web, when the Carlists in their turn retired.
The loss can only be guessed at but are much
heavier than at any previous collision Of the
belligereuts during the war. Galceron was
killed Rippol, for which place the supplies
were intended has since surrendered to the
Carlists from Ripoll. The callsts are now
marching on Berga, an important stronghold
filled with military stores. Berga is the key to
CATALONIA, and was an important point during
the 80 years war;.
In view of the force advancing, the garrison
will probably abandon the place.
Since the appointment of Maldorado as COM
mallder in Nayorre, Doroegary has cut the
railroad between Pampeluna and Vittoria,
blowing up three bridges. Pampeluna is thus
likely to become untenable and will fall into
the hands Of the Carlists, who have already
seized the stores in the suburbs,
The plan of the Carlists is to move by the
Arragon and Legue rivers and occupy the line
of the Ebro Vich and Corona will be thanked
by the capture of Berga.
Alleged Illegal Arrest mt Hanvna.
NEW YORK, March pa special despatch
from Havana says that the man Bidwell, ar
rested on the charge of completely with the
forgeries on the Bank of England, at the re-
quest of the English government, is not Brit
ish subject, but an American and native of
Indiana. His arrest is not justified by any
treaty of extradition between Spain, England
Or the United States The British dsh yice-consul
Bidwell in bonds. Complaints having been
made, the Captain General has ordered that the
money be deposited. Bidwell has expressed n
desire to be sent to New York.