The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-09

they win be submitted 10 the arbitration OF third
Power named by mutual consent.
fOorh-I the 25th day OF December shall have
expired without the spanish government having
resolved. In 50 far as comes within It's province.
aSn Il % hod ss bounS to acsSrd such rep
araton the same ~ II the right OF the unlted states
TO require IL were recognized. and such PREPARATION
will he given IN the form specined In the irst Snd
second paragraphs SiCKLES
AADKlD. Nov. 49, 1874
Last night IL was agreed here informally that
accepting my declaration OF the nat onaiiy OF the
ance VITA OF demand Of the 18th INST Tnis was
ratified by the CouNsl OF Ministers ut three TINS
capon * sne was oas IN oG now
In note from the Minister Of state thai yesterday
you authorized the spanish Minister in Washing
ton to convey 10 this government u dinereut
proposition on the part o, the United States, and
that It mas been accepted, oil which you have been
know whether that statement la true. The only
instruction have had from you since my iour
teegrams Of the 10Th is copy OF the senate reso-
RAPPNG sICkLKs OVER THE KNUcKLRs-
'1t N--i DEPARTMENT or STATR.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 81, 1873.
sIR-On the 10Th ult. General sckles' No. 1893
arrived at this department during my absence
for the holidays. In It he states that IL was In
formally agreed, on the night OF the z7tn OF No
vember last, that on q declaration made by him or
the American nationality oil the virginius the
vessel and surviving passengers and crew would
be delivered up, tue flag sauted, and the other
measures of reparation accorded In conformity
with our demands Of the 10Th inst. 1t Is greatly
70 be regretted that General sick es did not state
with whom this informal agreement was made
The note OF Mr. CarvaJa, Minister VI Foreign
Affairs, which accompanies General Sickles
desoatch, does not convey the idea that he had
been party to that agreement, but does intimate
that he would have discussed some OF the points
received In General Sickles note but for the
arrangement which was made here
General Sickes further says, that at noon on the
2Sth OF November Mr. CarvaJal sent HIM copy OF .
telegram from Admiral Polo containing what pur-
ported TO be fresn proposal from me respecting
have supposed was IN conflict with the informal
arrangement Of the previous evening.
the person with wnOm the informal arrangement
was made, cannot permit myself to think that
the Spanish government receded from any under
taking which 1t had once assumed.
SO lar, however, as General Sickies statement
may be supposed to AFFECT this government, it ID
proper to say that the changes from the original
demands OF the United States, which were agreed
to IN the protocol Of the 29tn OF November, were
adopted on the suggestion OF the Spanish govern
principles upon which our demands were founded,
and were calculated to promote peaceful Settle
ment OF the unfortunate differences which had
arisen between the two Powers.
Spain having admitted las could not be seri..
ously questioned) that a regularly documenred
vessel OF the United States is subject on the hign
in time OF peace only to the police jurisdiction
OF the Power from which 1t receives Its papers, 1t
seemed TO the President that the United States
should refuse to cOncede her the right to adj
duce proof to show that the Vlrginlus was not
rightfully carrying our nag. When the question OF
national honor was adjusted 1t also seemed that
there was peculiar propriety in our conserving
to an arbitration on question OF pecuniary dam
ages.
two sister Republics on basis honorable to both
fortunately makes the matters referred to by Gen.
eral Slckles OF little importance. have thought 1t
right however, to correct the misrepresentation
under which his despatch seems to have been
written. HAMILTON FISH,