The New York Herald Newspaper, December 2, 1873, Page 4

ty NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, FREE CUBA. MCespedes Retires the Presidency. (SALVADOR CISNEROS SUCCEEDS HIM trom The Battle of La Zanja- Spanish Defeat. Two Hundred and Sixty Spaniards Killed and 400 Rifles, with Much Ammuni- tion, Captured by the Cubans, Circumstantial Details of the Battle of Holguin. MANZANILLO, Nov. 20, 1873. A most remarkable event has just taken place here; remarkable when we take into account the ‘wecent execution of the prisoners of the Virginius. On the night of the 17th three officers, who be- ‘longed to Colonel Dieguez's column and who were taken prisoners by the insurgent forces, quietly ame into town, having been set at liberty by the government of the Cuban Republic, These officers ‘Were accompanied until near the entrance of the town by an insurgent party, and were the bearers ofaletter from the Cuban Major General Calixto -Garcia, in which he begs the Spanish government to carry on the campaign in a civilized manner and Rot wage a war alter the jashion of savages, which has been hitherto the course of the Spanish soldiers and their officers. But how little does Calixto Garcia know the his- tory of these Visgioths—that fatal race who arose from the south of Sweden, and, defeated by the Huns, overrun Thrace, leaving behind them A WAKE OF BLOOD AND RUIN! ‘You may rest assured that Cespedes has ceased to be the President of the Cuban Republic, and that his successor is Salvador Cisneros, Marquis of Santa Lucia, and a native of Puerto Principe. The reason of the change appears to have been the bad state of health of the former, but the fact is that the latter at present occupies the first place of the Republic, this duty having fallen upon the Marquis as President of the Cuban Camara (Chamber of Deputies), until elections can ve held. Calixto Garcia is spoken of as the probable candidate for ‘the Presidency. At another time I shall give you all the particu- Jars and official data in relation thereto. The following proclamation by Vicente Garcia, ‘before the attack on La Zanja, October 12, and the oftictal reports of that action, with a list of prison- ers and a number of other important and interest- ing documents have reached your correspondent through a “‘special’’ by the underground raiiroad, and will, no doubt, be read with interest by the HERALD readers. It is as follows:— Spanish domination in Cuba is asate reaching itsend, Its deienders are defeated throughout the territory of the Republic. The enemy scarcely dares to come out of his entrenched towns, and ’tis there we must seek him. Those Cubans who, with our enemy, were his ‘principal support, are now recognizing their error, and are everywhere abandoning him and coming over to our side, to our aid. Receive all such as brothers. We are about 40 march against the enemy's encampment of “La Zanja.” Perhaps ‘you may not be called upon to fight, provided the mn will surrender to save their lives; but, should it be necessary, recollect that you cng with you the elements of victory, without whic! assurance | would not expose the life of the least of my soldiers. At all events your well-known valor will con- quer those opposed to you, Your discipline and exact obedience to the orders oi your chief, and the consciences of tree and civilized men will pre- vali over your foes. Spare the conquered ; avoid all useless Shedding of blood; respect the detence- Jess and succor the weak. Act thus and tne country and myself will be well content, having no punishment to inflict but only good actions to reward. Viva Cuba! VICENTE GAROIA, Major General. The following is the report of Major General Vicente Garcia to the Secretary of War, concern- dng the ao.ion of La Zanja, on the 12tn of Oc- tober :— No. 126. HEADQUARTERS ZanJa DE CABANIGUAN, Oct. 14, 1873. To THE SECRETARY OF WaR:— ‘The reaction in our favor among the people and volunteers of this place being almost complete, and knowing that the enemy kept in his forts quite @ store of munitions of war, I determined to attack them on the night of the 12th inst. in the manner Stated in the “order of the day” of that day, a copy Ol which I send herewith. At tour o’clock in the afternoon, after reading to the troops the decree of the President of the Republic o/ the 16th of August last, relative to the Tegularization of the war on our side, and the ad- dress (copies of which I also accompany),I took up the march irom Rincon Hondo with 300 infantry and 60 cavairy of the second division, which I consid- ered a strong enough force to obtain the result I proposed. l arrived in the vicinity of this town at about eight o’clock in the uke ti ae i was tase yy the volunteers José fael Ramirez, ncisco Cedifio and Manuel Fonseca, who were to act as guides, Advanced guards were stationed on the roads mre) to this place, and at ten o’clock (night) ig to the preconcerted pian, Colonel Ange! With 60 men, attacked the principal fort, which is square in iorm, witu an entrenched ditch and stockade. The guard was surprised and over- powered, and Major Felipe Rodriguez, with one party. Lao Method on one side, and Captam ‘icente Cortina on the other with another party, ‘Doth talling upon the garrison, who had their head- quarters within the storeliouse, in the centre of the fort. The garrison was COMPLETELY SURPRISED, AND SURRENDERED without tiring a shot, only @ corporal and four soldiers escaping. In tie hand-to-hand fight, which lasted a short time, two of the enemy’s sol- diers were killed and # number wounded, among them the eae commanding and three others who resisted. The garrison belonged to the Third company of the vattalion Cazadores de Aragon. Simultaneously Captain Julian Santana attacked the principal lore, and. ‘making “s. signat agreed (01 making a si ree: upon, with the volunteers ptationed” there’ and alded by them, he penetrated into the post, mak- ing 1our regular soldiers prisoners, without the Hiring of a shot; but one was wounded lor attempt- we Se resist. iter sending the prisoners to our forces in re- Serve, where their wounds were attended to, the order for a sack was given, limiting the same to ‘the storehouses already mentioned and to four of et ed stores - the town. ot se: tart Soon 8 we Got possonstn ris our flag was raised over them, and I still remain in the ba transierring the large amount of booty we ‘This 1s composed of 46 Remington rifles, 30 Belgian rifles, 140,000 cartridges. lead, machetes, horses, clothing, medicine and otber ful arti- cles, too numerous to mention. If the foregoing victory is pleasing to me, itis NOt the less so that we obtained it without loss of oat kind; that our forces acted with decision, order and discipline quite admirably, not a single transgression oi orders having been made. I an jae tants killea A was Leng J they aid accept the quarter offered them, but resisted to the last. The number of volunteers and able-bodied men now ready to follow our standard are 45, The re- Mmatnder—women, old men and children, for the greater part—have chosen to remain here. As it 18 DOt necessary to hoid this place, when I leave it I shall set the prisoners at liberty to go ‘where they will. Some of them have applied to me for permission to enter our ranks. I have courteously refused them, and stated that they had better leave, afterwards think over their resolution, and provided they stil entertained tae same sentiments they might TAKE AN OP! ITY TO Pass OVER tous, assured that they could be welcomed and considered according to their merits, and the rank e to that which they held in the Spanish ‘service might be retained by them, and that a higher would be granted it it should pyeae upon their presentation that they had performed any im} nt service. send a list of the ae. Those who were wounded were careiully attended to, and those ‘Who died were given Christian burial. With sentiments of the highest consideration gud esteem, Iam, &c., VICENTE GARCIA, Chiet of the West of the Department of Cauto, ‘The iollowing graphic letter, under date of October 18, is from Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Figuereas, Chief of Stat to President Carlos Manuel Cespedes :— I commence this letter by congratulating you fo ‘the activity displayed lavély in that dlsteivt mand for vie briliiant results obtainea under the im. te direction Of Major Generai Cespedes, by ‘the 0 8. At the same time, I can state that the forces operating in this department under gommand of the gallant Major General Calixto Garcia have nothing tor which to envy those of . Firat division ot that army corps. The forces East also have had their brows often crowned the laurels of victory-—marching trom triumph to triumph. Oi this You may form a slight idea by extracts from the different military reports which have been presented to the government by Major Gen- eral Garcia Yiliguez, and which I have the piea- sure tosend you. You may circulate them among your friends; those in the interior as well as those outside, as they Keep strictly to the details fur- nished ofticially to us, and, therefore. are confined to the trath, On the 16th of September General Garcia, at the head 01 a brigade oj the Holguin division, irom its camp at Bar: ‘ua, Marched toward the western line. On the 18th, at nine o'clock in the morning, he attacked the Spanish encampment of Guirabo, about aleague distant irom Holguin. The enemy, surprised at the presence of our soldiers, ABANDONED THEIR ENTRENCHMENTS, which, gogetaar with the village, were destroyed by the Cuban forces. Twelve were made prisoners and a number of arms and all the war stores cap tured. A mounted force from Holguin attacked the rear of the invading column, and after a short fight it took to fight, leaving three rides, 81x horses and side arms benind them. Upon the 20th, while marching towaras Calaba- zas, the enemy, 500 strong, attacked with a great deal of energy, but receiving suddenly, and almost at the muzzies of the rifles, the fire of our van- guard, which had ambuscaded him, the fire be- came generai and lasted fontwo hours, at the end of which the enemy retreated, poraned by tue First squadron of the Holguin cavalry, under command of their chief, Lieutenant Colonel Limbano San- chez. In this fight we lost a lieutenant killed and four soldiers were wounded. On the 2ist Generai Cespedes joined General Garcia at the head of part of his division, and Colonel Peralta in charge of his brigade. On the 26th the lorces were encamped at Santa Maria. Colonel Leiva Vidal and Lieutenant Colonel Chala were ordered to destroy the telegraph line from Tunas to Holguin, which was done for the distance of two leagues, At half-past nine o’clock A. M. on the 26th the enemy again appeared on che same road by which the patriots leit. Upon hearing the firing of the advanced ptckets Lieutenant Colonel Enrique Cespedes was ordered to hold with his battalion the bank of the river upon which the encampment was situated, while Lieutenant Colonel M. Domin- guez (Bayamo) and Lieutenant Colonel Felipe Her- rero (Holguin) were ordered to support him. HERE THE FIGHT COMMENCED and was kept up with ardor by both parties during some time, at the end of which the enemy was slacking his fire, but without yielding ground. Brigadier Maceo was ordered to leave the position which with part of his division (Holguin) he had taken, and advance against the enemy on the centre, Soenpeniet by General Cespedes’ escort; while Colonel Vidal and Lieutenant Colonels Silva and Guerra were to advance on both flanks. This movement was effected with precision, and the strength of our forces falling suddenly upon the enemy, who was hemmed in on both si and alarmed at the vigor of our attack, took to might. ‘The commander of the enemy's colamn, neverthe- less, with several officers and soldiers whom with difficulty the officers teld oack, dismounted and endeavored to make a stand, COVERING THEMSELVES WITH THEIR HORSES; but, charged upon by our troops with vigor, men and horses came to earth pelimell, and the men were all made prisoners. As our men were ex- hausted by their efforts in the attack Lieutenant Coionel Sanchez was ordered to pursue the flying suey with his mounted men, thus finishing their det and assuring upon our side a complete vic- tory. The result of the fight was as follows:—Two hundred and sixty killed, the greater part by the machete, ana leit on the field. Among them were the best guide of the Spaniards, Captain Juan Fer- min Silverio, the surgeon, and a number of oMicers; 150 horses, either killed or wounded, and consequently their housings; 400 Remington rifles and about 380,000 cartridges, together with the commissary of the column and its medicine chest; two cases of instruments and medicine; also, 13 prisoners, among whom are the com: mander of the Spanien column, Colonel Angel Gomez Diegues, alias El Chato; Major Wenceslas Macias, and Lieutenants Juan Cuadrado and José Ferrer Monzo, wounded. The first nas four balls in his legs. Captain Andres Cayal, Lieutenant Aurelio Kosales, Sub-Lieutenant Pefalver and an assistant surgeon are also prisoners. Our losses consisted of the gallant Majors Mei- quel Masierrer and Peraito, who fell at the first discharge, The gtory of on, up their lives for their country also fell to leutenant Aurelio Socarras, and a sergeant and corporal, The woundedare Major Marrero, Captain Angel Gon- zalez, Lieutenants Augustin Rivera, José Soto, Juan B. Silva, Rafael Diaz, and eight privates. Part of the foregoing account of this 11 rtant action I have made from iniormation furnished by one of the Spanish lieutenants, who fell into our hands—a young man of education and fine man- hers, who tells me that Colonel Gomez Dteguez (since died of his wounds) and a number of the other chiefs and wounded officers are now with General Garcia, under full liberty, dining at the table of the General and attended by the assistant surgeon of their defeated forces, According to thelr own request, Major Masferrer was buried with all the honors of war, his entire battalion marching in his honor and firing the usual volley over his grave, General Garcia, in view of the delicate state of the health of the panes Major Mactas, had him taken, with one of his soldiers as servant, to the nearest Spanish fort, availing himsel of that oppor- tunity to address a note to the Spanish General, Sabas Marin, commanding operations in the Hol- in district, communicating to him the disastrous te of Colonel Dieguez’s column, and also that, duly authorized by the government of tne Republic, HE PROPOSED A CHANGE OF PRISONERS, oMcers one ior another of the same rank, or two privates for every Cuban he held, begging nim to send bis reply by means of flag of truce to his beadgnartars, Pipmisng, to t it, whatever might be his de ion. General Marin has paid no attention to this proposition. I Ce ih , all the prisoners have been treated, as they themselves assert, with the con- sideration to be expected from men who fight fora principle. ‘The officers are allowed servants. Itis said that Colonel Log es upon finding bimseif a Eraonee of Calixto Garcia, begged him to shoot But the General read to him the President's decree of last August, which, as you know, enjoins upon all military commanders to respect and cause to be respected the lives of those who fall into their hands as prisoners. A Spanish lieutenant states that several officers, alter using five snots trom their revolvers, put an end to their existence with the sixth bullet. He himself attempted it, but his pistoi missed fire. Such was the fear which the Spaniards had of falling into our power as prisoners. Would to God they would follow our example, and in some measure late a war which drawn to itself the attention of the whole world for its horrid barbarity, and which civilized na- tions have decried for its inhuman proceedings. General Garcia, aware that the victory he has Just gained offered him 4 brilitant opportunity to carry into effect with success operations inst the enemy, took the strongest part of his colamn and determinea to penetrate into the interior of the rich zone between Gibara and Holguin. Not- withstanding the heavy storm that was raging at the time he set out, Our column, on the morning of the 29th, arrived at the village of Mano, halting for about two hours at the estate of the same name, which was destroyed. Kept up, and we entered by Gua- basiabo, M. In Marino, Los Guiros and Telasco, the column leaving behind wherever it went a wake of ruins and ashes, destroying tae most productive part of this rich district. at Ve- lasco 18 firearms were seized and 102 prisoners made of the inhabitants, but they were immedi- ately released. On the 2d of October, while our jorces were encamped at Chaparra, they were at- tacked by a column of the enemy, about 1,000 strong, Organized from corps at Holguin and Tunas. Lieutenant Colonel Cespedes, who had already previously prepared an ambush, opened fire upon them, and he was reiniorced by Lieuten- ant Colonel Dominguez with his battalion. The enemy advanced into the centre of the en- campment and then fell under the fire of the Hol- guin division, which nad taken up advantageous positions. Colonel Peralta, with part of his prigade, opened @ deadly fire epon the enemy, Meantime Lieuten- an Colouel Silva, with part of his battalion, made a flank movement to the right and attacked them in the rear. The enemy’s forces ceased firing, and took up a quick march; but all our troops being now united in their rear made @ vigorous charge upon them, which caused them to break into a precipitate retreat, although mak- ing frequent stands and fighting during the pursuit, which lasted two _ hours. The enemy left 22 dead obodies on the fleld, but it was afterward learned that they took off 58 others and a great many wounded; be- sides a pumber of rifles and horses were captured. On our side we lost turee killed and some officers Wounded. On the Sth, and in the Spanish encampment Yareyal, 80 mounted men organized and kept on the march for Two Rivera, Laconia, Guayabales and Jesus Maria, which villages, all within six leagues of each other, were totally destroyed. On the morning of the 9th, at four o'clock, General Garcia, at the head o! his cavalry, passed near Hol- guin and within rifle shot of its fortifications, ana at eight o’clock encamped near Guayabal, after baving effected a raid and one of the most import- ant aa which has yet been performed by our forces. NEWS FROM HAVANA. ~. Discussion of Possible Hostilities—Noise About American Display of Force—200 Spanish Letters of Marque To Be Issued in Case of War—The “Constancia” On the “‘Herald”—Butcher Burriel Not Lion- ized—Assassination of Count Px lver— Minister Soler Regarded as a Natural Curiosity—That “Profound Calm Which Reigns in Cuba”=—The Fortifications Being Armed. Havana, Nov. 26, 1873, The question of the hour, and even of every min- ute, as the Diario calls the all-engrossing question of the capture of the Virginius, still occupies the press of this city, and is the subject of general con- versation. The possibility, or the probability, of a war between Spain and the United States is the topic of most general interest. The opinions of the American press, while sneered at and con- demned by the Spanish commentators here, have their full weight as expressing the views of the tnass of the American people, and are therefore at- tentively studied. The Diario almost daily de- votes two or more columns to the task of reciting and reviewing each, The resolutions lately passed at the Steinway Hall meeting in New York, and the allusions to the dificulties surrounding the new-born Spanish Republic, are especially galling to Spanish pride; which declares that THE MOST SAVAGE INSULTS would be more acceptable than such mortifying condolences, and demands the government and people of the United States shall be just and respectful to old Spain; that nation, they allege, which, when she was mistress of the New World, and had more force than any other in this hemisphere, instead of crushing us tu our birth, stretched her hand to George Washington, and , aided him to found the States; which, in the prog- ress of time, was to deciare herself the arbiter of the destinies of America. The Diario also refers to the display of force now being made in the United States, and says, “Right is better than might. Let the wwo govern- ments discuss the question, and should it result that Spain ought to give satisfaction, ict it be asked without any display of strength and un- doubtedly it will be given.” The Diario concludes the article from which I am quoting as follows:— The profound calm which reigns throughout Cuba, from Cape San Antonio to Punta Masi, pre- sents a singular contrast to the tation of the principal cities of the American Union, The Span- lards—or, if you like, the volunteers—of this prov- ince, who have so warmly eecieed the capture of the Virginius, without at all of its legal consequences, see wit he greatest calmness the momentary ebullition existing in the neighboring Republic, and do not give the least portance to its noisy declarations. With the consciousness of duty and the tirmest resolve to perform it, they awatt events, and, while awaiting them, have not the puerile vanity to say, ‘We are sure to conquer ;”’ but have the noble pride to state that they know how to conquer or die, The Gorro Frigio, the most radical of republican newspapers here and the opponent of the present system of government, reproduces from the jour- nals of the interior the foliowing, which it denomi- nates “uy bueno,” or very good :— We are told that in Havana there are 200 letters of marque signed in biank, in case any nation should wish to middie in what does not concern it. Although convinced that this occasion will never arise, despite the noise and threats of the ‘“Jobn- atham’s,” (sic) sons, it is well that tney should know how we would receive here those who per- form the rdle of a bugaboo for children. The Constancia, whose editor has on various oc- casions for months past, addressed letters in his journal to different persons, under the fictitious guise of an old grandmother—by the way a fit dis- guise—has lately addressed a labored effort to the proprietor of the New York HERALD, in the follow- ing terms, inspired by the article “Vox Populi” in the HERALD of the 18th. : HEALTH AND FRATERNITY, * © * With what foundation do you sayin your number of the 18th inst, that an insulted people de- mands satisiaction? Of what insult do you speak and of what satisiaction, citizen? The speeches of Evarts, Cox, Darling and others, with which you regale us, cannot make either hot or cold to the true-hearted Spaniards, who, notwithstanding the unhappy state of our country, have never doubted in its future, because we have never gone back, as have some traitors, cowards and low minds, on her Tou) past.’” I find among the memoranda of my notebook that a Spanish General, @ native of Cuba to boot, and in command of the ar of operations of Rosillon, during the latter part of the last century, ordered a number of officers to be marched past the troops, each one with a DISTAFY AND SPINDLE IN HIS HAND, because they had behaved like women in the last action that took place; wherelor, doubt not, citi- zen, that the Spanish people of Europe, Asia and America will always treat, as did that Spanish General, those political cowards who allow them- selves to be imposed upon by the ridiculous gas- conades of meddieing foreigcers. The director of this journal has already reminded you, citizen, of the military commissions of your own country during the past war, and will some day address you at length on the subject of the confiscations of properties belong- ing to Coniederates and United States citizens who bad not repelled against the unity of the Repubiic, and the means employed to return them without lowering the dignity of ere or of the executive power. At present I will limit myself to reminding you that your proposal to in- terfere in our affairs, under the pretext that Ouba is but a short distance from the United States, is absurd, Is not England just as far distant from Beigium, Hoiland, ‘ance and Germany? but to ‘Whom does it occur to say that sbe has aright to interfere in the intenor affairs of a neighboring nation? * * * 1 will only say that we have the fight to do as we have done, and as the governments of Italy, France, England and the United States have done DECEMBER 2, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. occurred some two months ago and ever since the oung giri’s brother has been endeavoring to force ¢ Count’s consent to the marriage but was re- peatedly put oif until learning that the Count had sent his son out of the country iu order to pre- vent anything o/ the natare taking place, eit! with or without his consent. Young Card seving his sister and parents submerged in fl greatest grief—the young girl in a state of decline since her shame became known—armed himself and met the Count to demand reparation jor the honor of his sister and ‘amily. This being declined he plunged his knive into the Count’s heart. It is generally asserted in relation to this affair that the Count’s uct throughout had been most aggravating. That the indiscretion of the lovers Was intended to make a marriage impera- tive; but the Count was bitterly opposed, and, with the command of immense wealth and influence, he had his son arrested by the police the day sub- sequent to the elopement, and managed to get him off to Spain. The Couat was well advanced in years, but hus death has thrown @ great part 0! 1c ARISTOCRACY OF HAVANA INTO MOURNING. The Count was generally esteemed for his benevo- lent disposition and gentlemanly character, but in this case the sympathies of the community rest with the youny assassin, who, !t was erroneously reported yesterday, had finished his existence by poison. He is kept a close prisoner at the jail, and some of the principal lawyers of Havana have already offered their services in his defence, The ter of the Colonies still continues his examination into Cuban affairs and the state of the island; but he isrogarded more in the light of curiosity than @ person of any importance. On Sunday last he convoked the editors o1 the differ- ent dally and weekly journals of the city, and made them an: address, stating his purposes and wishes, and flattering them by acknowledging the power of the press, Yesterday the Casino Espafiol invited him to in- spect their rooms, and gave him a brilliant recep- tion, The Volunteers improved the opportunity and organized a grand serenade, which took place in iront of the Casino. It was expected that during the evening His Excellency would make a speech or offer a toast, but, to general disappointment, the evening passed away and His Excellency drank his wine and ate his sponge cake without anything further toan casual conversation, His Excellency’s appearance is very prepossessing, and he looks every inch the gentleman and statesman. The Virginius Still Afloat-Heavy [m- Pportations of Flour Into the Island. PHILADELPHIA, Dec, 1, 1873. The steamer Juniata, from Havana, reports that the Virgiaius was still afoat when she left Havana on Tuesday last, All vessels arriving at Havana had full cargoes of flour, and 50,000 barrels had been ordered from New Orleans. BROOKLYN NAVY YARD. No orders have been received by Admiral Rowan to discharge any men from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where 3,000 are now employed. The work of ratling the lower rigging was continued yesterday throughout the cold northeast snow storm by the hardy riggers on board the Colorado. This ship will go into commission to-morrow. Eugineers Lave been ordered to the Tennessee, and she will be towed over to the Navy Yard for outfit this week. Work is Progressing 4s usual on the Minne- sota, Roanoake, Dictator, Florida and Swatara. Captain R. W. Shuleidt yesterday relieved Captain Ransom as Executive Officer of the yard. The storeship Supply went out of commission, and the Gettysburg arrived with stores from Washington. Recruiting 1s progressing rapidly, a large number of landsmen being shipped. CHINA AND CUBA, An Independent Celestial Mission to Visit the Spanish Antilles’ Gem—The Coolie Traffic To Be Investigated. SHANGHAI, Oot. 25, 1873, A Chinese mission is tobe sent to’Cuba to in- quire into the condition of the coolies employed on that island. This has been done at the request of the Spanish Minister. ‘The Hong Kong government has issued explicit orders for all vessels destined to carry coolies be- tween Macao and Havana to quit that port. This has given great umorage to the Pertuguese gov- ernment of Macao. The Chinese authorities have followed the action of the British autnorities at Hong Kong by probib- iting the staying of these ships eitner at Whampoa or Canton. A CURIOUS CUSTOMS CASE AT NEW ORLEANS. Personal Property of Ex-President Thiers Under Scizure. {From the New Orleans Herald, Nov. 26.) Asomewhat remarkable case now engages the attention of the Collector and Surveyor of the Port. The steamship Charles Albert, a French vessel, arrived here on the 16th inst, from Havana, in bal- last, but without manifest or other regular papers, atalltimes. Why did not the United States de- clare war against Great Britain in 1857, when John Lawrence published his rewards, after the bloody executions in India, of FIFTY RUPEES YOR RYERY SEPOY PRESENTED TO HIM DEAD or ahve, with bis arms, and 25 rupees per head for the unarmed ones ¢ Why, in did not the peo- ple ane the government of the United States deciare war against Great Britain because British officers ordered more than 2,000 prisoners to be hung or shot of those who rose in Jamaica? Is it not true neither, citizen, that the greater art of those who were thus hung or shot in jamaica suffered this tremendous punishment without being duly tried? But what is true is that in 1865, in Virginia and other States of the great Republic, regenerators and regenerated performed acts resembling those done in Jamaica, ‘We, the Spaniards, have many vessels and many cannon to mount in them, and in the Antilles, as im the Philippines, in the Peninsula and other Spanish — possession: the immense majority of Spaniards when occasion arises cause to defile past with dista@® and spindle, those few politicians who, through cowardice or compromise, allow them- selves to be carried away by your political gascon- ading friends. D.XI.” Part of the press of Havana abstains from any editorial remarks on the present situation of affairs. The general opinion has been formed from the impression of the New York correspondents of the Diario and Voz de Cuba; who do [not vacillate in asserting that the United States do not want war, and that it is not convenient to Spain, Furthermore, that there exists no motive why these two nations should ap- eal to force to settle an affair easily arranged iplomatically. This, he says, is also the opinion of the most enlightened men of the Union, and this opinion has been publicly declared by the most eminent statesmen and juris consults oi the United States, who, he says, have not hesitated to mention the mght that has aided Spain in this af- lair, according to the principles founded in the in- ternattonal code. The same correspondent afirms that Mr. Caieb Cushing, Senator Sumner, Mr. paki ages f and a few thinking minus have recognized a NO CASUS BELLI EXISTS on which to base an imperious reciamation ; and that they have more or less explicitly stated that s) had the bio to capture the Virginius and panish the expeditionists. In the meantime the forts sur- rounding Havana are actively engaged in prepar- ing for an emergency. The government have of fered $1 50 to all laborers who are willing to work on the forts. The Havana journais b-day except- img the /Aario and Voz de Cuba, which publisntheir New York correspondents’ precocious insults to the majority of the press of the United States, and the opinions already stated above, keep silent on the question. ‘The Diario and other journals notice the recent arrival here of Brigadier General Burriel, the Com- manding General of the Eastern Department, by whose orders the victims of the Virginias were butchered at omg de Cuba, and give as their Object the desire to felicitate the Captain General and the Colonial Minister upon their safe arrival in Cuba, Iam, however, informed, that he will be sent to Spain—bajo partido de registro—a military formality equa to a court of inquiry. It is certain that the Governor of Santiago de Cuba has not been made a jion of, as he naturally expected to be seted and feasted by that class of Spaniards in this island to whose passions he undoubtedly dered in the hope oi popularity among them. nfortunately this same subserviency by other commanders has caused the government of Spain many complications. The Gorro Frigio states that Brigadier Burriel called upon the citizen Minister yesterday; and @ friend assures if that upon leaving “signs of an altered countenance were visibie;” which, im plain English, means that Brigadier Burriel leit crestfallen. An assassination took place last Sunday morn- ing at about nine o’clock and almost on the steps ol the Cathedral, which has caused a great sensa- tion throughout this city, as the victim, Don Juan Crisostom Pefiaiver, Count of Pefalver and Sane| Fernando, generally known by the latter title, was @ person Of great wealth and influence, and close! allied with many of the principal aud distinguish families of Havana, besides for many years taking active part in the administration of city a:fairs. . ‘The facts of the murder are, that, upon leaving the cathedral alter hearing mass, and just about to enter ibs, te tend bl handed he hs stoppe Agustus Acosta y jenas, a nephew of Hi Count, and after a few excited words oi con- versation between the two, Cardenas drew a LONG KNIFR AND STABBED THE COUNT to the heart, killing him almost instantly. The Count staggered a lew steps to reach his door, and fell dead into the arms of his servanis, who ran out upon noticing the disturbance, while the assassin Was arrestea vy the police, although he attempted to make his escape, The motive of the murder was satisfaction for wounded honor, It seems that one of the Count’s The inspectors discovered on board of her five large cases filled with costly articles of Chinese manu- facture and other dutiable goods, most of which, the Captain (Caryon) declares belong to the ex- President of the French Republic, M. Adolphe Thiers, and some to himself. An investigation of tne matter elicits the follow- ing very curious story:—Captain Caryon states that his steamer was engaged in the coolle trade and that he recently carried from Hong ens to Havana a large lot of coolies. Betore leaving Hong Kong, however, a French admiral, who was at that int, purchased @ lot of costly and beautiful ninese 8, which he forcibly placed on board the Charles Albert, telling the Captain that the; were presents for President Thiers and command- him to deliver them whenever his vessel should return to France. This the Captain remonstrated against, saying that he did not know when he should return to France, but the Admiral said thére was no other French merchantman in port and he must take the cases, which he was reluctantly compelled to do. He states rurther that both he and his first officer purchased quite a number of vainuabie articles for themselves, but toat while at sea, en route to Havana, his frst officer committed suicide by springing overboard at night, and that he (the captain) has taken charge of his effects, no his arrival at Havana he was chartered to come to this port to take a cargo of cotton to Liv- erpool and arrived here, as before stated, on the 16tn inst. He accounts for the absence of a mani- fest by saying that he had never been to America before and was ignorant of our customs regula- tions, ‘The customs officers were at a loss for some time to know how to treat the case, but finaily con- cluded to seal up the is subject to orders from the department. say the least, the Captain’s story is @ very remarkable one and _ is not entirely credited. It seems almost incredible that a French admiral would send such valuable articles to the President of the French Republic in so irregular and ques- tionable a manner, tfusting to luck, as it were, to their reaching their destination. Among the articles are a number of superb silk spreads, or quilts, very elaborately and Ged wrought in Chinese patterns, said to be worth eacl $1,500, There is one shawl, a sight of which would make the eyes of our city belles fairly sparkle again, valued at $1,500; a lady’s magnificent ebony work- box, inlaid ‘with ivory and gold, valued at over Fond uantity of exquisitely wrought thinese curiosities, vases, &c, Captain is con- siderably Eo by the trouble ne nas falien into about his remarkable cargo, and wishes ver, sincerely that M. Thiers had the goods whic he claims the patriotic Admiral sent him from Hong Kong. OHARGES AGAINST A OITY MARSHAL, The charges preferred against City Marshal Toplanyi by Dr. Walter S, Wells, of No. 737 Sixth venue, were further heard yesterday by Mayor Havemeyer. ‘The complainant charges that Toplanyi, on or about the 20th of October, called upon him at his place of residence and stated that he had come to make a levy on property to satisfy a judgment op- tained in the Marine Court, amounting to $200; that Toplanyi offered to return the execution un- satisfied on payment to him of $10, and the same amount to Jonn T. Williams, who claimed to be his assistant. The offer was declined, and the Marshal left withont making @ny levy; that complainant thereupon had served on Topianyi a notice that the property in question was in his possession by courtesy, it being mortgaged to John J. Stell; that on the 6th of November, Toplanyi, aided by Williams and three others, made a levy on the property, which they handied very rec! ly and violently; that locks were broken, furniture thrown out of second 8 windows, drawers rifled of articies of value, ring apparel and everything on which the: ir hands, thrown in and knocke he street, and a) were by Toplanyt and assistants; wu any was under the influence of liquor; that he pushed complainant in a room end locked him up, Toplanyi taking ion of the key, and threatening and abus- ing complainant in a violent manner. Complain- tu cl that Toplanyi demanded the of complainant’s watch and pect hig 1d. with, der to hain, and, the demaad not being comp! Seow ‘a aio and again demanded the watch and chain, and threasened complainant that he showid not leave the room alive unless he gave up the ‘watch and ceain; that complainant, believing that bis lite was in danger, did give up ti itch and chain; that also, under similar thre: nd intimi- dations, com; ant signed and delivered to W! Hams a due Dill tor $25; that, in conclasion, Top. lanyi, in violent manner, removed his medical instramente and all other property without autnor- sons, a youth of 17, had eloped with the sister of Cardenas in order to force a marriage against which the Count was bitterly 0; because of the Jarolly of the young lady not being weaithe, Thie ot law. further investigation will be resumed on Wriday, JAPAN. Cabinet Change and s Sweeping Mintas- Reform—The Moral Force Prin- ie Triumphant Over a War Party Ring—Relations to Corea=The Men Who Go Out of Office and Those Who Come In. Yorouama, Nov. 2, 1873. A complete change has just taken place in the personnel of the Japanese government, amount- ing almost to what would be termed in some coun- tries a revolution. As in England the Ministry is often split, or disagrees upon a question of either domestic or foreign policy, so here, in Japan, the late Daijokwan, or Great Council of State, has wrecked itself, 1 have already informed you of Soyerhima’s mission to China and its results. Hav- img been assured by China that the latter made no claim to & protectorate over Corea, and that she would not interfere in case of any war between Japan and that country, Soyerhima returned to Jeddo with a full determi- nation to punish the Coreans for their insulting behavior of last year. Preparations were made on ® rather expensive scale, and the invasion of Corea was talked about as @ matter to take place beyond a doubt in the ensuing spring. The idea Was popular both with the masses and the army, and several of the old chiefs were chuckling over the chance of military distinction. AN EARNEST PACIFICATOR AND HIS GREAT POWER, At this juncture the Embassy, which had been allover America and Europe, returned. Iwakura and old Kuge, a fair statesman and a man whose mind has just been enughtened by two years of foreign travel, saw the danger to which Japan would be exposed were she to indulge in the luxury of a foreign war. He opposed the proposed war with ail his might, and has at last succeeded in overturning the Cabinet, THE “INS” AND THR “OUTS.” Sania jin), the Prime Minister, retires. He is replacea by [wakura, Okubo and Kido become members of the ie Council; Okuma becomes Minister of Finance; Ito, Minister of Public Works, and Terashima, Minister of State. Oki is Minister of Justice. The heads of the Departments of War, Religion and Education have not yet been ap- pointed. It will be seen that four of the members of the late Embassy to Europe enter the Cabinet— viz, Iwakura, Okubo, Kido and Ito, Of the re- tiring Ministers the most important are Soyer- hima, Saigo and Goto.- Soyerhima is the ablest of the party, and nas made @ Minister of State. The government is still desirous of retaining him. He has aiready been offered the position of ister to nd or to Russia, He has so far declined; but t€ is thought that suMcient pressure will be brought to bear to induce him to recon- sider his determination, Saigo was Minister ot War, and retires now in complete disgust, as he was the most anxious for the prosecution of the Corean war. in getting rid of Goto the gov- ernment has done Well. This man 1s corrupt enough to suit a Tammany sachem. He has had his hand in every scheme of public plunder, and has been engaged in more than one enterprise that savored very much of Crédit Mobilier or Erie frau The new Ministry ts particularly strong. They are all able men and men of experience. NATIVISM AGAINST ENLIGHTENMENT, Besides the question of Corea another matter has tended to this change of Ministry. Soyerhima had agreed to a convention with the foreign Ministers, by which the whole oi Japan was to be opened to ee under a system of consular and minis. terial passports, To this Iwakura objected. Kido has issued a manifesto which is supposed to ex- press the views of all the members of the Embassy, to the following effect :—‘Much is said about Japan becoming civilized. We, who have been abroad, and have seen the most civilized nations of the globe, come back fully impressed with the neces- sity of Japan udopting Western ideas and Western civilization, But, hitherto, Japan has Lares the wrong way to work. She has tried to jump from her former condition into a state assimilating with the Western nations. This will not do, Reiorm is a matter of time. We cannot expect to do in six years what must necessarily take @ generation to accomplish. We must pro- ceed slower and we shall progress more surely.”” TREASURY ECONOMY. The expenditure is to be curtailed anda thorough economical reform is promised. Again Oki, the Minister of Justice, objects to more ports being opened untilJapan has perfectéd a system of eclspeneence thet will satisly foreign Powers, so hat they may be induced to yield the ex-terri- torial clause. In my opinion this is at the bottom of the refusal to open the whole country. Japan feels that it is humiliating to her to allow foreign Consuls and Ministers to exercise judicial func- Vions within her limits; and until this ex-terri- torial clause is S7ppnaes she will be unwilling to Lae foreigners liberty to settle in any part of fapan but the open ports. Such is the present position of the government of Japan. What the ultimate results of this radical change are to be are as yet doubtful, but lam rather inclined to be- Meve that the change will have a most salutary effect upon the condition of the country. THE PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP ARIEL. Particulars of the Accident to and Sudden Sinking of the Vessel—Prepa. ration for a Court of Inquiry. Yoxouama, Nov, 2, 1873. The Pacific Mail steamship Ariel left Yokohama on the 26th of October, bound for Hakodado, At about nine o’clock on the night of the 27th, when about 110 miles from Yokohama, she struck upon asunken reef and in twenty minutes from that time was at the bottom. Immediately upon her striking Captain Newell ordered all hands to the boats, and, through the exertions of himself and officers, got everybody into them. Alter land- {2g the passengers and crew Captain Newell re- turned to the wreck, and already in that short time the ship had commenced too BREAK UP, Nota single thing was saved from her except two juarters or beef, for whici the sailors had to swim. 1e es otficers and crew did not savea atitch of their clothing except what they were standing in. The loss of the Ariel ig not only an unfortunate erate the Pacific Mall Company, but it is a terrible blow to CAPTAIN NEWELL, This officer, who is regarded as one of the best officers in the employ of the company, has been boc beget unfortunate. About five years ago he lost the Hermann, about 70 miles from the same fatal spot. Captain Newell has not yet returned to Yokahama, but is expected here to-morrow. Iam indebted to the purser ior the account I now send to the HERALD. He tells me that the natives showed them every kindness. They lighted beacons as soon as they saw the rockets from the stip, gave the rescued people Pdi) and clothing and every facility to reach Jeddo. understand that a court of inquiry-ts to be held as soon as Captain Newell returns, MURDER OF AN AMERICAN eens Consular Trial and Sentence Culprit in China. SHanonatl, Oct. 25, 1873, An inquest was held at the United States Con- sulate at this port on the 29th ult. on the body of Henry Bergh, a sailor on board the American ship Mary Whitridge, who, it was alleged, came to his death through ill-treatment on the part of the second officer, Matthew Reed. The jury brought in a verdict that Bergh had come to his death through the act of said Matthew Reed, “who, according to the evidence, inflicted blows on the face, on the side of the head and on the shoulder of said Henry Bergh with his hand, with his bare foot and with a rope-bound halyard block.” Reed was tried for murder before Consul General George F. Seward on the 19th of this month, and the following is the DECISION OF THE COURT: I am of opinion that the deceased, Henry Bergh, came to his death by blows inficted upon him by Matthew Reed, as described and set jorth in the first count of the indictment. I am farther of opinion that these blows were infiicted ima crve] and unusual manner and in a heat of passion, but without intent to kill or the knowl- edge that they would cause death, | am therefore of opinion that the said Reed is not guilty of the murder of said deceased, but that he is guilty of manslaughter, Such manslaughter is defiped in the laws of the State of New York as of the second degree, and is then punishable by imprisonment for not more than seven or less than four — While not declaring that the Laws of the State of New York are binding upon the Court, I accept them in this instance as alfording @ clear and authoritative detinition of the ature OJ the crime committed, and determination of the punishment which 18 appropriate thereto; and, considering all the circumstances of the case, 4g wellas the nature of the climate of this por: Jam of opinion that the ends of justice will be me: a the imprisonment of said Reed for a term of three years. 1 Sqporelney find that the prisoner, Matthew Reed, is gullty of manslaughter in the second degree, as defined by the Laws of the State of New York, and I condemn him to imprisonment in the Consular Jatl, or elsewhere, as may be deter- mined by the Court, for s period of three years irom the date hereof, GEORGE F. SEWARD, Consul General, acting judicially, MODERN _SOEPTIOISM, In the chapel of the Church of the Incarnation, corner of ‘Thirty-fitth street and Madison ay- enue, the Rev. J, Cotton Smith delivered a lecture SAILOR. of the to a small audience on “The best methods of deal ing with Modern Scepticiam.” The lecture was a very exhaustive and scientific one aud was listened to With great attention, IRELAND. The War Against the With England. Union The Rise of the Home Rule Party. THE GERM OF FENIANISM, DUBLIN, Oct. 29, 1878. Of the Young Ireland leaders Mr. (now Sir Charles) Gavan Duffy, lately Prime Minister of the colony of Victoria, alone escaped conviction, after some six or seven trials, for treason and sedition. On his release he revived the Nation, deciared that Ireland was neither able nor willing to fight for freedom, declined to go in for a mere repeal agitation, and urged for the formation of a Parlia~ mentary party to press for the disestablisnment of the Imsh Protestant Church and to demand & strong land law to protect the tenantry, who were then being exterminated in thousands, This party Was to be neither whig nor tory, but to aim, by holding a balance of power between the two, to force either to accept a strong Irish policy. A Party of between 50 and 60 members was formed, pledged in the most solemn—some, indeed, in al- most blasphemously solemn—language never to relax their exertions, never to give up their inde- pendence, above all never to take office, until the great securities of religious and social liberty were achieved. THE NEW WAR FOR IRISH LIBERTY, This party was composed of two sections, the one headed by the present Mr. Justice Keogh and the late—if, indeed, he be the late—Mr. John Sadleir; the other by Mr. Gavan Duffy, Mr. Lucas (the editor of the Zablet, then member of Pariia- ment ior Meath), Sergeant (afterwards Judge) Shea, of the English Bar, and Mr. Moore, M. P. for Mayo. The Papal delegate in Ireland, Cardinal Cullen, at the head of all the Catholic bishops and clergy, had endorsed this platform, THE POPE AND THE IRISH QUESTION. Within six weeks after the meeting of Parliament its stability was rudely tested. Mr. Sadietr, Mr. Keogh, and as many of thetr friends as places could be found for, took office in audacious viola- tion of their pledges. The question arose, “What would be the action of the authorities of the Catn- oli¢ Church as guardians of public morality? What would Cardinal Cullen do?” Cardinal Cullen did nothing in the nature of a public manifesto. Indi- rectly he used all his influence, which was enormous, on behalf of Mr. Sadlier and Mr. Keogh. Those who sided with them were favored and Promoted. Those who assailed them were pun- ished and degraded. The independent party were represented at Rome as little better than Mazzin- jans. Mr. Lucas appeaied directly to the Pope, and, by the desire of His Holiness, wrote a memo- randum on the whole case, which is one of the most interesting documents connected with the modern history of Ireland, Init he most diatinctly prophesied the decay of the moral power of the Trish Catholic priesthood and the growth of Fenian- ism in its place if such political conduct was per- mitted to appear to have the sanction of the authorities of the Catholic Church. He received no reply. He died, indeed, before any answer could have come from the Pope, his death being accelerated, in the opinion of his friends, py alarm and anguish at the prospect o/ public affaira in Ire- land. Mr. Gavan Duffy went to Australia, and at the next election Mr. Moore lust his seat for Mayo. There were still a few members of the independens party in Ireland, but as a great power, having at its back the political force of Catholic Ireiand, it had collapsed. THE GERM OF FENIANISM. Then come the opportunity for Fenianism, and Mr, James Stephens and Colonel O’Mahony were not slow to avail themselves of It. They found the peasantry, for the first time in Irish history, sus- picious of the politica: morality and fidelity of the Catholic bishops and clergy. The thunders of the Church against seoret societies were accordingly throughout a considerable extent of the country utterly unheeded. The movement was carried on for years in profound secrecy. In 1864 Sir Robert Peel, then Secretary for Ireland, declared he did not believe that Fenianism had any serious exist- ence. That was also the opinion of the law officers ofthe day. A few months afterwards the police, by the aid of informers, acquired a sudden insight: into the formidable extent of the conspiracy. The Earl of Kimberley, the then Viceroy, was so seri- ously alarmed that he took upon himself the re- sponsibility of virtually suspending the constita- tion. He suppressed newspapers, arrested men by the score on the merest suspicion, occupied the telegraph office and ignorea the Habeas Corpus act. THE HISTORY OP 18M. Of the subsequent history of Fenianism as much, if not more, is known in America than in Europe. It kept up a curious kind of will-o’-the-wisp terror throughout the British Empire for several years; but though its military preparations were far su- Perior to those of the Young Ireland party of 43. it never stood to a fair stand-up fight with a Brit- ishregiment. It had one serious and valuable re- sult—it forced the attention of British statesmen. to the condition of Ireland. Irish policy became @ question of competition between Mr, Disraeli and Mr. Gladstone. The latter carried the country ‘With him, and then he undertook and passed inte law the very measures which Mr. Duffy and Mr. Lucas had proposed as the task of the independent party. Mr. Gladstone disestanlished the Protes- tant Church, he passed a strong land law, he re- pealed the Ecclesiastical Titles act, Ireland bas, at least, gained religious liberty and social secu- rity. It remains to be seen whether she is really sincere in her demands for home rule. If s0, per- haps home rule she may have. But I think I have shown that the union has hitherto borne a great deal of knocking at, and whether Mr, Butt has got the real “open sesame’’ remains as yet to be proved. THE NEXT POPE, Cardinal Pecci, Archbishop of Perugia, To Be the Successor of Pius IX. {From the London Honr, Nov. 18.) We learn from good quarters that by the pri- vately expressed wish of Pius IX. the College of Cardinals have for some time consulted as to who would be the best person to elect as successor of the Holy Father, in the event of anything happen- ing, suddenly or otherwise, to the latter. Bya very considerable majority their selection hae fallen upon Cardinal Pecci, Archbishop of Perugia, and there is little or no doubt but that he will be the next Pope. This prelate was born in 1810, and was made a cardinal in 1853, He has resided but little at Rome, having throughout all the period of his episcopate—since 1848—been @ hardworking bishop. He is aman of very decided views, being what is called an Ultramontane, but ts of a very conciliatory spirit, and would, no doubt, live on terms of amity with the Italian government. He ia of unblemished character, very religious and pious in’ his life, and greatly respected even by the free~ thinkers of Italy. A SNOW ANNIHILATOR, Last evening & machine designed to obliterate the snow from the streeta of New York was exhib- ited on Lexington avenue and in Kast Fortieth street. It wasdrawn by four horses, and a8 it passed over the surface of the stréet at the rate of from three to four miles an hour the snow lying be-, sween the whecls was immediately dissolved. Tho annihilator, as the device 1s called by its inventor, Mr. John Mulialy, is a very simple contrivance, consisting of a boller of suitable capacity, mounted upon wheels. Connected with the boiler i@ a au- perheater, the steam from which is discharged into a tank, Or steam aistributer, placed between the wheels, This tank is three feet long py ven feet wide, and is provided in the bottom arly 200 pipes, through which the superheated steam ta ejected upon the snow as the machine is drawn over the surface of the street, Covering the escape of the steam from the sides of the tank 1s an apron. tna haa, or curtain, which also serves to cond wwivnin tue, limite covered by the tan