New-York tribune., 1874-09-12
THE TROUBLES IN CUBA.

UNITED STATES-THE DECl1Nb IN Inn 'N~@- -
GoID-oPERATIoNs AGAINST THE INsURdENIs
,xooX ,v vocc,s1oSII CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSRJ
HAVANA Sent 5--The recent kilograms published
in the American Journals about the condition In
which the Virginus now stands at Madr1d' nave
brought forth article in the official journal Oh the
Government here, the DiGrio de Ia Marina. In TINS
occasion is again taken to urge and applaud the
presentation of counterclams by Spain against the
United States for the alleged damages caused by
the Virginius in landing men, arms, and even dialt
ANIMALS upon the shores of Cuba. This course,
il was said had followed for several years, pro-
tccted by the agents and Consuls of the United
States in foreign ports and by the war vessels OF
the nation at sea- solely because the Vlrginius IL
legally carried the American flag. The DiGrto can
not see why such claims for damages should not be
presented by the Spanish Government, and consid-
ers them as Just as were those arising out OF the
depredations of the Alabama Further,the Didto de-
clares that there is not anything unusual In de-
mand by Spain for the injuries she has suffered by
the fitting out of flhbustering expeditions IN
the United States 1t thanks the Minister OF State
J1loa for having brought the question OF the VIZ
gnus to the point where it ought to have been eight
months ago. and taken it from the ground where IL
had been placed by the dishonorabe Polo-F1sh pro-
tocol The Didrio advises that, should 1t be
impossible to come to q definite under
whole question should be submitted to
the decision of court of arbitration similar to that
which decided upon the Alabama claims While
advising this course that journal strongly doubts
that the Senate and Government of the United
States will consent to it. All Spaniards in Cuba
agree in the opinion that it is the duty OF the Span
ish Government to make demands on the United
States Government for iRdemRfcdtiOn for the inju-
res done to the Spanish cause in Cuba by the Viz
ginius and satisfaction for the fitting out of expedi-
tions in the ports of the United States
The great fall in the price of gold during the past
two weeks from 40 to GO per cent lit is now ruling,
however at about 20 to 75 per cent?, has even ex-
ceeded the expectations of the GovernorGeneral, to
whose measures it has been attributed. The Voz de
Cuba, which has been the constant enemy of the
gold SPECTATORS declares that it must be taken as
aproof of returning confidence in the Government.
But there are not wanting many who predict just as
rapid rise in the precious metal. The Governor
General has been obliged to issue decree, dated
the I'd Of September, to modify his recent one OF
August H. which ordered the collection of all Gus
toms duties in gold and taxes on landed estates or
internal in notes Of the Spanish Bank with
an increase of 100 per cent This new decree is as
follows:
General Government Of the Island Of Cuba. Treasury
Article lst of the Decree OF this
Gener Government Of 18th Of August orders that rom
the present month OF SepIemOtT, tHe bOtdl
amount OF taxes due account OF landed estates or
internal shall be collected IN notes OF the
Spanish Bank Treasury, with an increase OF lVO per
whereas, The claims addressed by many of the tax
PAYERS the General Direction OF Finances through
their respective administrations pettoning that the
payment the total amount OF said taxes shall be ad
of increase mentioned previously the idea to assist
the contributor and not Impose burden as would be
the case il that rate which to the actual
market price Of gold should be exacted;
In conformity with the suggestions Of the General
ir9ct Of
Invested in me by the Supreme Government nave de
ARTICLE l. From the publication of this decree the
payment of the total amount of taxes due on real estate
and internal revenue with the few exceptions estab
hshed by Article Of the Decree OF April 2s, shall be
made 10 gold.
ART . Tue General Direction OF Finances will dictate
within its powers the appropriate reguations for the
Sxecution Of this decree, JOSE DE La CoNCHA.
Hdtdnd, Sept. D. 1874.
On last Monday afternoon, Aug 81, second meet
ing took place ia the saa CaDtular, City nall of
the Acalde Corregdor, the committee from the
Spanish Bank and other officers required by the de-
cree of Aug O. for the weekly cancellation of notes
received on account of the 10 per cent income tax
On this occasion the amount of S75,702 after due
counting and checking of the notes, nutiltzddo,
OF cancelled by being punched through and through.
The recent heavy rains and excessive heat have
almost altogether stopped the movements Of the
Spanish troops during the past month, although let
ters from Cenfuegos and that district say that the
one and the fields are everywhere in hOurishing
condition. The Captain-General has taken measures
TO protect the districts of Sancti-Spritus and Trim
idad since the recent raid of the insurgents on
the frst-named place. which, it is said,
did not amount to much, as the insurgents
only seized a small number of arms and left
the town before the arrival of the Spanish troops
that were out in their pursuit. The CaptanGeneral
has stationed battalion at Caibarien, another at
Trinidad, and three at SaDcti Spritus He has also
furnished means to protect the men employed on
the TIocha, from Moron to Jucaro He desires TO
establish a strong barrier between the eastern and
western parts of the island so that in the latter
part agriculture may be carried on without fear of
interruption. The only from the Camaguey
district worthy of note is that Gen. Figueroa
had returned to Puerto Principe, after
beng out 10 days in search of the
enemy without having single encounter
for the insurgents studousy kept out of the of
his strong columns On the 14th of August a party
of 25 Spanish soldiers on their way back to Puerto
Principe after reconnaissance, was attacked iby
mounted insurgents, said to be 400 in number. The
SpaniaIds defended themselves until assistance
reached them from Puerto Principe, and after being
reinforced. dispersed the insurgents These Spanish
reports invariably overestimate the number of the
insurgents and underestimate their own. In this
skirmish the Spaniards confess to losing an officer
and II men and having a number wounded. The
insurgents carried off their wounded and only left
one dead on the field. Col Vergara attacked rebel
camp near Seborucal on the 31st Of August and
killed two insurgents and destroyed Is ranches. A
woman was made prisoner aud some provisions were
seized. Col Vergara lost several men and was him
self wounded.