The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-01
ITO X II / q N.
Another Steamer Lost.
THIRTY.TWO PERSONS PERISH.

London, Dec. 31.-The intelligence of anotb-
er marine disaster, attended by lam.pta
loss OF life, has reached this city. The steam.
ship Elbe, from London for Hamburg has been
lost at sea and thirty-two people persisted.
The Vile Du Hnvre.
LONDON, Dec. 3l.-Inquiry into the collision
OF the Vile du Havre and Loeb Earn was con-
tlnued TO day Evidence was gwen as to the
lights displayed on the vessels and their DO
sltlons Counsellor Britton in behalf of the
Lorh EarD ossexamined the witnesses en-
deavorlDg to show something wrong on the
vile Du Havre. The latter is still inveStgat-
ing.
The seamen of the Loeb Earn deposed that
two French boats came alongside before the
Vllieeu Havre sank, aid that the Frenchmen
came on board and remained and did not assist
in the rescue of their comrades
One English sailor declared that he touched
capt Surmont whose clothes were dry.
Rupture in the Spanish Ministry.
MADRID, Dec. 31.-There is a complete rup-
ture between President CASTELAR, and Senior Sal
excitement IN Madrid, but the success of the
government in the Cortes is considered certain
special to the Daily News from Madrid re-
ports the situation in that city as serious.
An lndi.na Newspaper.
HAVANA, Dec. 31.-The Vose says: "a tele-
gram announces the loss of the Virginius We
did not expect anything else Of the American
government. 1t has acted with the Virgnius
the same as it did with the Florida, in order
not to be compelled to return that steamer to
Brazil. Such nobility corresponds with the
course of those who are patronizng the Cuban
assassins and incendiares in their heroic enter
prise. This will not exempt them from paying
the full value of the VIrginius, she being the
prize of the Tornado, nor from paying ample
satisfaction and paving proper damages to
Spain for the great injury which America has
inflicted in breaking its treaty stipuations SO
scandalously in permitting enlistment of men
after such enlistment had been advertised be-
forehand and protecting such men when once
out of the country with their flag and vessels
of war upon the high seas and in foreign ports.
thereby making themselves the accomplices of
assassins and incendiaries. If the weakness or
fickeness of CASTELAR,, not of Spain, delivered
to them the Virgnlus, the bad faith of tie
American Government buried the private ship
in the bottom of the sea, as it did the coal
barge Upland at the mouth of the dry dock in
Brookline Navy Yard to prevent the departure
of the Arapi!es which they feared so much
With such deeds they will gain everything ex-
cept honor and will transmit to the pages of
history that which instead of being their glory
will cause their descendants to blush for having
had such Industrious ancestors. 1t is useless to
gather pears from Ems. What Grant, Sick
les and the rest of the crew can produce has
already been fully demonstrated For the
great-wrongs of the Spanish nation, terrible
atonements ara reserved and their hour will
come.
LUG DldTiO SAYS IudI IuulC Id1Uu duu Af0erl-
can justice will appear closely united in histo-
~, enjoying the same unenViahle celebrity
Punic faith was severely condemned by all
ancient people. American justice will merit
the name of iniguity among moderns.
The Diaria referring to the liberation of the
Vireinius prisoners says: "The word infamy
rises to our lips as applicable to the conduct of
the American government officials. The liber-
alton of these prisoners makes it appear as
though they were innocent. We can only an
swer that American justice is inquty and per-
fdy. This is the judgment which the signers
of the Washington protocol reserved. This
Judgment is bloody farce, committed against
Spain before the eyes of humanity.
When an American war vessel took con-
federate cruiser from Brazil the act was de
clared VIOLATE On Of the rights of the latter gov
eminent, and the return of the cruiser idered
and the Americans sunk her to avoid comply
ing with the duty of returning her. We were
told that Spain insisted upon the return of the
Vrginius, and now we learn of her loss. We
for its action towards Spain are the same to
| ward Brazil. We believe and cannot do less
than call the act low fraud The Madrid
government was fully justified in its demand
for the return of the steamer and prisoners and
it is now their unavoidable duty to demand the
delivery OF the latter, turn them ever to their
captOrs and demand full satisfaction for the
fraud employed. Weakness made us rdcul-
GUS and only firmness can place us in the posi-
ton that belts us. The Spaniards in Cuba
protest against such ubiquitous manoeuvers."
In an interview with the Captain General the
latter stated that the newspapers give their
own opinions. The government neither IN
pires nor is responsible for articles they print