The New York Herald Newspaper, December 24, 1873, Page 3

DON QUIXOTE. Affairs at Santiago de Cuba. A REIGN OF TERROR. A Visit to the Surviving Prisoners---The Ray of Sunshine and the Shadow of Death. Vice Consul Schmitt and His Calumniators. UNITED STATES SLOOP OF WAR ae} SANTIAGO DE Cuna, Dec. 10, 1373, ‘Utterly destitute of information concerning the actual situation of affairs, telegraphic communica- tion between this place and Havana having been closed to all excepting those in the employ of tne government, the situation becomes daily more Perplexing. Since we left New York, on the 19th ultimo, we have not received an lota of news as to the position intended to be assumed, and as it ts improbable that we will learn anything in this Quarter—the oMicials being not only reticent but ‘udaciously indifferent—our ignorance on the sub- Ject is likely to continue at least lor some days. What between an anticipated visit from the in- surgents—and rumor has it that they are close at hand—and the uncertainty of the issue of the exist- ing complicated state of affairs, the authorities here are decidedly in a muddle. But, with all that, they are by no means idle, and, as have said, ex- hubit unmistakable evidences of stubbornness and hostility. The guards all around the city have been ‘doubled, and the troops, both regulars and volun- teers, maintain the greatest vigilance. Since our errival here all the forta have been strengthened, and over 400 men are busily engaged, day and Bight, throwing up earthworks at every prominent position in the harbor. Nor does there appear to ‘be any concealment about the preparation, for by ‘Way of reminder practice firing is kept up the live- Jong day. Over 20 additional Armstrong guns Rave been planted on the Morro Castle, which com- Mands the entrance, and, to do them justice, the @uthorities have lost little time in completing their plans of defence; and I cannot help thinking that, Mf war were declared to-morrow, we are at pres- ent in what is known as A TIGHT PLACE. It is much easier to fight your way into a harbor than force an exit from it, especially when the enemy has had ample time to meet the emergency. Not that I question our ability (I now speak of the Juniata and the Kansas) to free ourselves from all the entanglements on all sides apparent, but that ‘we would be considerably harassed in the event ‘of actual hostilities no doubt can be entertained. It is fortunate, however, that no sudden dénoue- ment conld well surprise us, Both the Juniata ‘and Kansas are ready ior immediate action. whe men have been thoroughly drilled in all the exer- cises appertaining to naval warfare, and are, I think, pretty well prepared for any assault, how- ever treacherous or adroitly planned, A REIGN OF TERROR Prevails. To say nothing of the incessant and in- ordinate demands for money made upon the citizens, whose remonstrances are treated with ®corn, the general situation of affairs causes the utmost alarm. Fain would scores of the reluctant wolunteers fly the island; for I may remind you that nearly all the young men in the city, irre- Bpective of class or condition, are compelled to don a uniform and show up for duty. But little ceremony is observed in filling up the ranks, The unlucky individual who complains subjects himself to a system of espionage which finally terminates inhisruin. Although there are many Cuban sym- pathizers here, even among the volunteers, they dare not, by word, look or deed, exhibit the slightest symptom of fellow feeling in the matter. To such an extent, indeed, is this mode of watch- fulness carried out that to speak to an American— regarded by the Spaniard as his natural enemy—at once subjects a resident here to suspicion. I need ot add, therefore, that the time here has been anything but agreeable for the American oficers, True, they were extended THE PRIVILEGES OF THE CARLOS CLUB, fg liberal and pleasant institution; but it was evi- dent, however, that they were given a pretty wide berth within its portals, not from a want of any hospitabie feeling, but rather on account of the Vigilance maintained by the spies. Under the cir- cumstances it is needless to state that business bas suffered greatly, and the appearance 0/ affairs 8 no improvement. It 1s said that neither oMcers nor soldiers have received their pay with ny degree of regularity, the consequence being that the shopkeepers are compelled to give credit toa set of extravagant individuals on very shaky Promissory notes. It may be inferred, then, that the condition of affairs is {ar from encouraging. There are many in this city wno anticipate any change for the better. Large numbers of the poorer classes have already fied to Kingston, Jam., perhaps to meet a worse iate, in the shape of yellow fever, which 1s now making terrible havoc Barong the natives of that locality. The British war vessel Woodlark arrived here yester- day with the sad intelligence that nine men and @n officer of Her Majesty’s steamer Danae had already died and that Commodore De Horsey, com- Manding the squadron, had been stricken down ‘With the disease, His secretary is among the num- ber reported dead. But in the face of all this all ‘the steamers leaving this port swarm with home- less human beings content to run the risk rather bear the ils that now surround them. ; THE SURVIVING PRISONERS. Since my visit to the hospital here where are con. fined the nine remaining prisoners—the details of ‘which have already been forwarded—nothing has occurred in the way of a change. 1tis understood, however, that so soon as they are convalescent they will be sent to Havana to join tne 93 others Bo secretly transported to that port a week ago. The poor fellows present @ haggard and forlorn gna tad There was a time when all hope was at an ebb, when they momentarily awaited the jominious doom cuncocted for them; but now, something has been done in their behalf, they seem to think that aliis not yet lost. Though it is doubtiul whether they could walk 100 yards un- Bided, they are, nevertheless, strongly guarded. During our interview the Spanish officials were, of course, at hand, and our conversation was, per- ‘haps, a little more restrained than it otherwise would have been. I learned, however, from the lips of Phillip Meitzler, a young lad trom Charles- ton, that, compared with the jail in which they had Previously been incarcerated, their present quarters were comfortable ; that they were treated ‘with a little more consideration, and that, under the circumstances, they preferred remaining ‘sick.’ But I have no doubt betore this letter reaches its Gestination their removal to Havana will have been determined upon. Meanwhile they are per- Mitted to enjoy the little comforts provided for them, and let us hope that the ray of sunshine Which now temporarily brightens their dismal den May never again be darkened by the black shadows of an inglorious death. STRANGE RUMORS. The wildest rumors are afloat. Of late, however, ‘we have become so accustomed to the Quixotic Freports that they fail to cause alarm. For in- Stance, it was currently reported the other night ‘that we were to be boarded by the troops and that the two ships were to be seized. Though fully pre- ne for any emergency o1 the kind we gave put iittle credence to the statement. ‘True, the autho- Titles were somewhat, mystical in their operations, such as throwing up all sorts of signals, the Spanish gunboats meanwhile running in and out of the harbor towards midnight, concentrating the yd the wharves and @ series of other ‘sit rformances likely to misiead the un- wary. Then followed the alarming news that the insurgents were about to make a descent upon the city; that, assured o! the assistance of the Ameri- can war vessels, they were about to sweep all before them. This in turn was succeeded by’ the Cae] that Spain, disregarding the claims of the United es, had at length resolved to stand by the volunteers and second Burriel in his carnival of blood, and called upon i loyal citizens to defend their “honor” at all ay These and similar stories had free circulation and caused considerable commotion until dispelled by subsequent reports both start. ling and contradictory. Botn the authorities as ‘well as the insurgents spare no pains to spread ap- ences rumors, Which for the time seem to have ‘he effect intended. In estimating the strength of contending parties it is difficult to arrive at @ny reasonabie degree of accuracy as to the num- aid ereengaged. Including regulars and volunteers, THB SPANISH FORCE DORS NOT RXCEED SRVENTY- FIVE THOUSAND MEN, th the number of officers lounging about here ion to indicate the presence of an army Fs Fe at least 200,000 strong, But it must be @ in mind that the untform 18 very bry 2. ‘Tommpissions can be had jor the asking. As to tha NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1873—WITH SUPPLEMENT, . strength of the insurgents it is impossible to form an opinion. That it th? no meang inconsiderable is well eviden by the state of alarm in which ner connaee to keep their foes. It stated Ii might, that two expeditions from New York in aid of i te—one of 600 and the other of 300 men, arms and ammunition—had suc- ceasfully landed On the island a few days since. VICE CONSUL SCHMITT. ‘This gentieman, who so faithiully stood at his post in the trying emei ency, and who, in the Jace of insult ‘and mtumidation, manfu formed his duties to the last, has recently been subjected to numerous scurrilous attacks ftom the press here for the bold position he maintained prior tothe murder of the persons captured on the Virginius. Mr. Schmitt has already lost much by the rebellion, his extensive plantations having been burned, and nothing but his offictal duties in the American Consulate now detain him here. At first the vituperaiion poured forth in the journals Was scarcely noticed, but it finaly became so abusive that it could no longer be passively en- dured. Indeed, violence was apprehended, and, as the authorities make very little ceremony about disposing of a Consul (witness the case of the late Mr. Philips), it was resolved that the Acting Gov- ernor shovld be consulted upon the subject, to ascertain whether the attacks in she press were countenanced by the authorities. Accompanied by Commander Reed, of the Kansas, Mr. Schmitt proceeded to the palace @ few days ago, when he earnestly A ipkimroeey against calum- nious statements thathad appeared. Governor de Los Rios immediately issued an order to what is called the “Censor of the Press,’ who forthwith overhauled offending journalists. Since that time Mr. Schmitt has enjoyed an immunity irom the slanderous assaults. Since his return Consul Young has been indefatigable in his efforts in view of the present crisis. His presence here imspires much confidence among the resident Americans, THE JUNIATA lett this port on Friday last, and cruised along the coast as far as Guiantonomo, where she lay at anchor all Sunday at the entrance of the harbor ana returned here on Monday afternoon. We now await the arrival of Lieutenant Chipp, who was gent asthe bearer of special despatches to Key West over 10 days ago. THE OWNERSHIP OF THE VIR- GINIUs. Question of Her Nationality—Was She Owned or Chartered by Cubans 1—State= ment of an Eminent Patriot—Sketch of the Virginius’ Carcer. In view of the recent decision of Attorney Gen- eral Williams that, at the time of her capture, the Virginius had no right, as against the United States, to carry the American flag, a HERALD re- porter was yesterday directed to visit certain Cubans who had a knowledge of the status of the steamer at the time of her departure from New York in 1870 and were interested in her subsequent operations, and obtain their version of the facta, The reporter was fortunate in finding such an one, and, though the name cannot be made public, his utterances purport to be the authoritative state- ment of that portion of the Cubans in this country in whose employ the Virginius was. Attention being called to the At- torney General’s decision, the gentleman re- marked :—“‘We are well enough satisfied with that decision as it declares that Spain cannot rightfully raise the question whether a vessel is on the high seas in violation of the laws of the United States, Still the statement that she was not rightfully car- rying the American flag is absurd, and the decision has been arrived at one purely ex parte evidence and without the testimony of those who had the best and indeed the only knowledge of the facte, Long before the Virginius left the city, the Cabans here, engaged in carrying arms to Cuba, had de- termine to purchase no vessels, and this steamer, like others that have been used by them, was chartered by them, paring in proportion to the risk such vessel might run, and of course, A VERY LARGE 8UM. Indeed, under the terms of the charter, I do not doubt Mr. Patterson has a farther claim, as the Virginius made more trips to Cuba than was originally agreed upon. “How isit that no one takes any interest in the fae sh disposition of the vessel?” said the re- orter. PutBecause no one feels any, at least not among the Cubans. I do not pretend to speak for the owner. She was chartered for a certain purpose, which was accomplished, The owner understood the risk she ran, and was paid accordingly. We have no claim on her—never had. Of course Gen- eral Quesada controlled her, as he represented those who chartered her, but neither he, nor any other Cuban, ever owned to the value of a dollar in her. The people on board may have supposed we owned ber and so testified, but they were mistaken. You know the history of the steamer?” “TI have such knowledge as has been furnished by the press.” “Why, the Virginins cleared from New York to Curacoa without an arm on board and with 18 pas- sengers. In 1870, remember, she was chartered secretly after the Florida had been detained, She arrived at her destination on the 11th of October. Here the General sent Aaolpho Varona, upon whose testimony Mr. Williams relies, and who is now an enemy of Quesada’s, in a boat to Guba, with very important papers and verbal instructions in reference to certain military matters. Nothing was ever heard of that officer until he i osha in New York long afterwards with a scar from @ bullet wound on his breast and a sabre cut on hisforehead, having, as 1s stated, been shot and left for dead by the Spaniards, The Virginius then sailed tor Puerto Cabello, where ber commander resolved to await the return of Varona, Guzman Bianco was at that time chief of the Amarilio party in Venezuela, and de facto President. With his accustomed lawless- ness he detained the vessel, and then with much kindness of manner proposed to purchase the arms which had meanwhile been taken on board, Quesada, realizing that he wasin the power of a bad and irresponsible man, who would stop at nothing to accomplish his ends, agreea to the sale of 2,000 rifles, some artillery and the re- quisite ammunition. The Virginius was sub- sequently employea by the Venezuela go- vernment, as represented by Bianco, in legitimate service. She remained there seve- ral months, And not until the 4th of June, 1871, did_ she go to Cuba, she then sailed irom Puerto Cabello, wh arms and commanded by Brigadier Rafael Quesada, brother to the Generai. The cargo was successtully landed on the 19th, when the ship was found to be in a very leaky condition, and she was 23 days in making Aspin- wall, a trip under ordinary circumstances of not more than four days, Thence she was sent to Martinique ana placed in dock for repairs. On her return to Venezuela she was THREATENED WITH CAPTURE by the Gerona and other Spanish men-of-war while lying at Maracaibo Cartogna and Aspinwall, but the Captain applies to. the Ameri- can consuls, im the respective places, for protection, which was granted. Another voyage to Cuba was projected at this time, from Aspinwall, but failed on account of some difficulties Quesada met with. It was found necessary to send her again to Martinique for repairs, and on the Ist of June, 1873, as she leit Aspinwall with arms which had mean- while been purchased the Spanish steamer Bazan Ve Nag to seize her, but she was pro- tected by the American man-of-war Kansas, She effected a landing on the 7th, again under the com- mand of Ratael Quesada. Tnis accomplished, she proceedea to Jamaica, remaining at Kingston until her last important trip. So you see chat the departure of the steamer irom New York and her papers were perfectly reguiar. There wus no need of their being otherwise; and by far the greater portion of the time she has been engaged in enter- prises the legitimacy of which no one can ques- tion, She never carried an armed expedition to Cuba; only such merchandise as she as an Ameri- can vessel could carry under the Dominican laws, subject, of course, to the municipal laws of Spain when within her jurisdiction, ‘The attention of the gentleman was then called away, and the reporter, aiter expressing his obli- gation for the courtesies extended him, withdrew. “BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER,” — Tribute to a British Naval Officer's Pro- tection of American Citizens. The sudjoined letter, which has just reached here, recalls the famous incident in Chinese waters which drew forth the expresston above quoted from the lips of an American Commodore. Jn a conflict with barbarism England and America are one :— To THE Eprron oF THE HERALD:— Sin—To a stranger in a strange country nothing can cause @ more dolorous impression than the misfortunes, danger or death of fellow countrymen there. Throngh this trial all the American citizens who chanced to be in Santiago de Cuba at the time of the capture of the Virginins have had to pass. They have had to witness the hasty trial, and still more hasty execution of a number of their fellow citizens captured on board. After this there still remained a considerable number of American citizens in the hands of the law who would probably have suffered the same fate had it not been tor the arrival of Her Britannic Majesty’ sloop Ntose, Captain Sir Lambton Loraine, Bart., sent from Jamaica to protect the British subjects in a like case. Mr. E.G. Schmitt, United States Vice Consul at this port, whose efforts had been unremitting in behalf of the Virginias prisoners, at once requested the good offices of Captain Loraine on behalf of American citizens in danger of their lives, and Captain Loraine, in his communications with the Goveranient, instead = of limiting himseif O speak for the British subjects only, used his infinence in favor of ail seeing that there have been no more executions since his arrival, and attributing the cessation thereof to the presence of fler Majesty's ship Niobe and the influence of her com- mander, we, the undersigned American citizens, do hereby desire to express our gratitude to Ca) tain Sir bton Loraine for his efforts in behalf of our fellow citizens in saving them from an igno- minious ‘and ug from the nan apd mor tion of witnessing it. Well un in no enter into the quest: ich the Vi us? grat manity and love to our fellow countrymen. Wm. H. Chisham, master bark Olustee; Wm. Slater, master brig Navosata; J. R. Bryant, master brig Aroostook; J. , master brig Anseiape; i H. Urann, master Dri Elizabeth; A. F. Milton, master brig Mariposa; J. 8. Harriman, master one L. M. Merrit; F. B. Owens, master brig Cas- an. SantIaGo DE Cubs, November 19, 1873. Re»ort of Operations in the Insurrec~ tionary Districts—The Capture of Man- sanillo—The Battle of Santa Maria—A Proposition of Exchange—The Cubans Abundantly Supplied with Arms. Despatches from Cuba Libre descriptive of the military operations of the patriots against the Spaniards were received and read at the head quarters of Los Amigos de Cuba yesterday. They demonstrate that the power of the insurgents for offensive wariare has greatly increased during the past few months, and that they are continually en- croaching on the power of thelr enemy in the wsland, The success{ul ATTACK ON MANSANILIO, accounts which, trom Spanish sources, were pub- lished at the time, is fully described in the report of the Secretary of War, Figuero, to the Secretary Of State, According to this the Cuban forces, numbering about 1,400 men, and divided into six columns, approached the town on the night of the 16th of November. At one o’clock they met @ col- umn of the enemy outside of the town, attacked and dispersed it, taking 25 prisoners, killing five and capturing 30 rifes and a quantity of ammuni- tion. As they approached the town they heard the sound of a general alarm, from which they knew the Spaniards inside were ready to receive them. The town is defended by the castles of Ferona and Saragossa ana nine towers, while in the harbor at the time were the man-of-war Venidito and two gunboats, From these 500 men were landed to as- sist in the defence of the place. Within half an hour after the first attack the Spaniards had abandoned the towers and concentrated within the Plaza de Armas. The Cubans entered the city and occupied the market place and other principal Points, At three o'clock they began to SET FIRE TO THE HOUSES, and at the same time the vessels in the harbor Opened on the place, but without doing any injary gave to the buildings, Jn summing up the result of the operation the report says that more t! half of the city was destroyed, including 30 stores beiong- ing to Spaniards. Twenty-four rifles, 8,000 cart- ridges, a large amount of gold and Spanish Bank notes and an immense quantity of clothing and provisions were captured and carried away. It is calculated that merchandise to the value of $1,000,000 was burned. The Spanish ioss in killed and wounded is estimated at 200, The Cubans lost 18 officers killed and 60 privates, The same report says that on the 20th of November Vincente Garcia captured the Uy Seger Camp Zanja, with 150,000 cartridges, 76 rifles, horses, provisions and 40 pris- oners, Who were released. THE BATTLE OF SANTA MARIA, in the jurisdiction of Holguin, which took place i September last, is fully detailed in the despatches, According to them the Spanish column occupying the place was almost destroyed, the Commander and several officers and 260 men being made pris- oners. A large quantity of arms, ammunition and supplies were also taken. Following the engage- ment, the Cuban Commander forwarded the Iol- lowing communication to the Spanish Brigadier at the head of operations in the district :— Hxanquantens Santa Manta, Sept 27, 1873. Brigadier Souas Manin, Holguin— ‘In the engagement which took place recently in Santa laria the column under Licutenant Colonel Angel Gomez Diegues, operating in this district, was nearly de- stroyed. leaving several prisoners in our hands (here fol- Jow the names of the officers), which persons are treated with all the consideration in our power. send to you, with the communication, the Spanish tain, W: Macias, who. on account of ‘his severe illness. demands greater care than we can give him. I send also Private Doneteo Caballero as his attendant. I take this opportunity of announcing to you that Pam dul authorized to exchange the aforesaid prisoners at suc! time and place as you may indicate, on the iollowing jong :-—I will deliver two privates in exchange for one, and, if this is not satisfactory, will give up an officer for every man of ours whom you may hold. Please send your answer tomy headquarters by two men under a lag ot truce. They will be received respectfully and returned in safety, no matter what may be your re- sponse. CALIXTO GARCIA INIGUEZ, No response was made to the communication, Following hus report of this engagement and in Tecounting further successful military opera- tions between Gibara anc Holguin, General Garcia refers to the order from the Ex- ecutive directing that no more execu- tuons of prisoners be made, Following the engagements the custom of the Cuban generals is to disarm their prisoners and release them, per- Mmitting them to return to the nearest post occupied by the Spaniards. The official despatches {rom the Cuban govern- ment estate that no more arms and ammunition are required, as with those on hand the forces are enabled to obtain an abundant supply by capture from the enemy. “SWHAT DOES THIS MEAN??? + A Mysterious Steamer with Some Mys- terious Lights Of Long Branch—The Unknown Men in the Buggy—Was Ita Party of Tweed’s ‘'Pals” Flying from Justice? As several of the individuals implicated and charged with frauds on the city government are said to be missing and cannot be found at their residences in this city, we deem it advisable to publish the details of a strange and mysterious oc- curence that happened at Long Branch on last $8 aturday night. About eight o’clock, on Saturday night last, one of the crew of Life Saving Station No. 5, while on patrol, saw a steamer coming irom the northward, with her lights all up, and, when abreast of the station house, she put them out. A small boat, manned by three of the steamer’s crew, then rowed for the shore. They came up near the station house, but before the patrolman could get to them they turned about and started for the steamer. He hailed them, but they made no reply. He called the second time told them who he was, and asked if the; needed assistance, to which they simply replied, “No.” Alter they had reached the steamer the lights were again run up on the vessel and she started off in a southerly direction. Immediately after, as one of the station house crew was returning on the main road, a short dis- tance from the sea and near the station house, a buggy wagon, containing two men, passed him and ree very near him, and the inmates appeared to he looking for something, One of the men stood up in the buggy, and was heard to say, “I can’t see anything of the light,” and re- peated it again. They then turned about and drove off in the direction of Long Branch. There is no doubt but that some fugitive from justice had arranged for an escape On that steamer, and it is very probable that among them were some of the Ring criminals who have not yet been tried in a court of justice. WEST INDIES. - a Sener eens Railways Extension Speculation—Yel- low Fever at Port Royal—Electric Cable Communication. Krnoston, Jam., Dec, 13, 1873, A company is being established here and in Lon- don for the extension of railways throughout the Island of Jamaica. PUBLIC HEALTH. There is a good deal of yellow fever prevalent among Europeans at Port Royal, the naval station of this island. The Naval Hospital is full, and one or two cases have broken out among the white troops at Up Park camp, who have been brought down from the high mountains to take the place of the black troops, who have just been shipped for ser- vice in the Ashantee war, Except among the military and nayy there are no other cases of yeliow fever, and the isiand is gener’ .wulthy. BLECTRICAL PROGRESS. Electricians are expected at Kingston on the 21st mst., in the Tagus, from Southampton, to test the electrical resistance of the Aspinwall cable, prior to the West India and Panama Company taking it which they are about to do. After testing the Cuban cable they will wait forthe arrival of the Klee, Uys Maintenance Company's cabie feet, now on the way to Porto Rico to lay @ second line of cable between that isiand and Jamaica, in antici- pation of a new submarine line contemplated be- tween St. Thomas and Bermuda, with branches to New York and Land's End, England, in connection with the Brazilian series of cable. HAYTI. ¢ntial Determination to Name s Successor—A Resolute Aspirant and Trouble Expected. Kinosron, Jam,, Dec. 13, 1873. The news from Haytiis unsatisfactory. Presi- dent Nissage Saget will not vacate the Presidency except to establish General Domingue therein, and, as there is @ party in the House of Represen- tatives determined not to have Domingue at all, trouble is, therefore, imminent, Domin, 19 ready for any em ney that may arise. He wan heard to say, ‘*A! ey do not FURS mie, for President but they shall have me.” ssage Saget keeps 7 xace With @ frm and talks but liste, } “ 7 THE RYAN MURDER MYSTERY. No New Developments—The Police Ef- forts So Far Fruitless—Muneral of the Victims—Burke’s Bloody Feet. ‘There was nothing new developed yesterday in the Broome street tragedy in which Nicholas and Mary Ryan, wet such terrible deaths by having their throats cut trom ear w ear, early on Mon- day morning. Captain Hedden, Inspector Walling, Detective Johnson and other police officials were busy all night of Monday and yesterday morn- ning in endeavoring to ascertain some new facts which would tend to solve the bloody mystery, but their efforta were substantially futile. They worked out theories and aji that sort of thing, but one theory was as good as another and therefore only led to uncertainty and confusion of ideas, On Monday night Captain Hedden sent for Patrick Burke, the occupant of the apartments adjoining and in rear of the single room in which the unfortunate brother and sister dwelt. Burke was the discoverer of the tragedy, and passed over the foor of the blood- soaked room to the front window and gave the alarm which summoned the police. Im response to inquiries by Inspector Walling, Burke said he did not suppose he could have passed over the bloody Moor without having stained his feet with the gore, but that he had not examined them to see whether they were stained, He was asked to take off his shoes and stockings, which he of course did, and BLOOD STAINS WERE FOUND on the inside of his stocking soles. His foot was then measured, and the measurements were com- pared with ‘he iootprinta on the roof, but the foot- prints were an inch shorter and ofa different shape. The fact is, Burke would have got this blood on his feet in passing through the passage along which Ryan had passed alter leaving nis room. But the most remarkable part of tne case isin the fact that no weapon with which the tragedy could have been or was committed has yet been found, It is impossible to conceive that, if Ryan had mardered his sister and then cut his own throat, he could have concealed the weapon himself. He did run from the room along a passage, down one flight of stairs, along a second passage and down @ second Might, and along another passage to the head of @ third flight, and that was something almost superhuman to be done by a man 80 ter- ribly wounded as he was and with BLOOD SPURTING FROM HIS NECK as if from @ pump. But he does not appear to have either dropped or thrown away bis weapon, though dilligent search been made for it. How his vest also was carried to the roof and found there after daylight, when three officers, eaeh with a lantern, claims to have minutely examined the place where the vest was discovered in looking for a weapon, @ much smalier object than a vest, with a lining most White, 1s also unexplained. Ryan had also oo“ and chain which are equally undiscover- le. For every one of the few facts brought forward either to sustain the theory of murder and suicide by Ryan or of murder by an outside party, equally strong explanations may be brought forward in re- buti on the “theory” principle, and it appears useless to discuss the mat- ter. m what @ reporter saw at the house yesterday it is not improbable, however, that the police are working on @ trail entirely different trom any yet ventilated; but it would be impos- sible to state what was seen without injuring their chances of success and perhaps deeply annoy- ing innocent parties. THE FUNKRALS OF THE VICTIMS took place yesterday afternoon, from St. Mary’s Roman Catholic church, corner of Grand ana Ridge streets, and were witnessed by a large as- semblage of people, At half-past five o'clock, on Monday evening, James T. Murphy, an undertaker, residing in the locality, took two round topped black walnut coMns to ihe room where the bodies lay, and aiter being dressed in grave habiliments, the corpses were encofined. At hal-past nine o’clock yesterday morning the caskets were taken irom the house to the church, and at half-past one o'clock the Tuneral services took place, Rev. Fathers Reilly. McEvoy and Baxter officiating, At the close of the services the coffin lids were removed and nearly all of the vast assemblage passed by the biers to look at the unfortunate victims. The coffins were then closed, and the funeral pro- cession proceeded to Calvary Cemetery, where the remains were interred. Patrick Ryan, the brother of the slaughtered young people, and a married sister were present, and about twenty carriages conveyed the remaining mourners. GALAXY COURSE. “Grace Green wood’s” Lecture. Mrs. Lippincott, better known to the public under the nom de plume of “Grace Greenwood,” lectured last evening at Association Ball, her theme being “Heroism in Common Life.” Owing to the inclemency of the weather the hall was but sparsely filled, but the audience was an appreciative one, and greeted tne lecturer warmly and heartily. She said the grand est deeds of heroism which illumine the historic records of the past have their counterpart in the every day life of the present, and that, dwelling in our midst, unnoticed and unchronicled, are heroes and heroines whose lives and actions rival those of the most illustrious of ancient or modern story, The tong list of ocean disasters which have of late become so painfully familiar to our ears alone fur- nishes instances of heroic self-sacrifice, of nobie, manly eelf-immolation on the altar of duty, whose sublimity has mever been excelled. In proof of her assertion she recounted the story of the brave Captain Herndon, of the Central America; of the gallant young Captain of the Northfeet and others, who, true to the post of duty, laced death resolutely rather than desert the trust committed to their care. The struggles of the early California pioneers and their fidelity to each other even unto death, as depicted by Bret Harte, was also cited in support ol her ment, while the hardy frontiersmen of the far West who led the van of civilization also claimed the full meed of admiration. While conceding this much, however, to masculine humanity, the lecturer claimed for her own sex the lion’s share of reverence, frankly confessing her artiality. While di to ridicule the so-called ealth reformers and their martyrdom to diet and regimen, she, nevertheless, eulogized in glowing terms the advocates of woman’s enfranchisement, not forgetting George Francis Train, and predicted the final triumph of the cause for which they struggled so heroically. Three classes of women, she said, were entitled to the suffrage—frst, sin- gle women, possessed of taxable property; sec- ond, all women, married or single, who possessed minds of their own; and, third, all other women who wanted it. The remainder of the discourse, in which the grave and the gay, the serious and the humorous, were happily blended, was devoted to the por- trayal of the self-sacrificing life led by thou- sands of humble, modest, obscure women, who cheerfully levote themselves to the support of aged ar invalid brothers and sisters, or even issolute hnsbands, enduring cheerfully toil and privation, tneir on! Trequital the sense of ay periormed and the tas of love fuldiied. Though not to be tound in the annals of time, they were inscribed on the pages ot pat By their actions would tnere, and there only, be fittingly rewarded. THE NEW BRUNSWIOK (N. J.) $600,000 BANK DEFALOATION, At New Brunswick yesterday, in the Middlesex County Court, before Judge Scudder, the case of Robert N. Woodworth, conjointiy held with ex- Cashier Greenleaf W. Appleton on a charge of de- frauding the old State Bank out of $500,000, was brought up on application for a writ of habeas cor- pus, Which the prisoner sought. After considerable discussion between the Court and counsel the Court declined to grant the writ, as an indictment was hanging over the head of the accused. His trial was set for next Monday. The prisoner mean- while was remanded to the County Jail. THE PHILADELPHIA STRIKERS, PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 23, 1873. The strike of the longshoremen continues to-day. About 200 of the strikers marched along the wharves to-day; but, beyond endeavoring to intimidate and induce the men on the wharves to quit work and join them, they engaged in no violent demonscra- tions, The managers of the various steamship lines age generally determined to stand by the po- sition they have taken. The Southern Mail Steam- stvp Company had their regular force of 12 men at fork yesterday, and also succeeded in getting six additional men during the afternoon at the re- duced rate of wages. Of these six men three were assaulted and beaten iast night after they quit work. As ® consequence the company is without the services of extra stevedores to-day, men will- ing to work being airaid to eugene, as, though they have the protection of the police during the day, they are in danger of violence trom the strikers at night. The Southern Mail Company will not yield, though they have three vessels now in port, all detained by the strike, and have others to ar- rive within a jew days, “LABOR MEETING, — LOvIsvinie, Dec. 28, 1873, A second large meeting of workingmen was held ip this city last night, at which a committee was appointed to confer with the City Council, the State Legisiaturo and the relief associations, to see if employment can be obtained, The me very orderly, , - HAVANA. INTERVIEW WITH MINISTER SOLER, Important Points of Spanish Policy for the Abolition of Slavery. Sketch of the Minister’s Appearance. Eight to Ten Years for Total Emancipation. Havana, Dec. 18, 1873. Minister Soler, who came here from Spain with the ostensible object of regulating the financial affairs of the island, but with the real purpose of finding out the quickest and easiest solution of the slavery question, intends to remain among us a while longer. Indeed, he said to-day that the time of his departure for Spain was rather in- definitely postponed. He has a weighty scheme in hand and cannot bestow upon it, as he thinks, too much time and serious attention, The telegraph has aiready informed you of the Minister's confer- ence with the slave-holders and of the instructions he gave to make ready such @ paper as he could transmit to Spain embodying their propositions for the abolition of slavery. Feeling how important the subject is at the present moment, your corre- spondent arranged with Sefior Ramon Bra, a friend of the Minister’s, for an interview at the palace witn the representative of the Castelar govern- Ment, The arrangement was satisfactorily con- cluded last evening and the hour of two o’clock in the afternoon of to-day appointed for the confer- ence, SPANISH PROCRASTINATION. Columbus would never have discovered America had he been a Spaniard. He would have cried, “Mafiana! Mafiana!” (to-morrow, to-morrow), and he would have reached Shakespeare’s seventh age of man before his caravels got ready for sea. At the last moment the Spaniard has always some- thing to do that should have been done before, and, without meaning to cast the smallest refiec- tion on the excellent qualities of Sefior Ramon Bra, it was quite in character with the traditions and habits of the people to find the Minister's friend in the operation of getting shaved within @ few minutes of the hour appointed for the inter- view. To have the interview complete and effective the Heratp had a dual representation on this occasion. Your resident correspondent was fortu- nate in having an acquaintance with Sefior Bra and doubly fortunate in being able to manipulate the Castilian dialect with flexible readiness, for the Minister was a stranger tothe English tongue. We whiled away the time IN THE BARBER’S SHOP while our friend was having his comely face ren- dered faultiess!y beautifal by spequlating upon the antiquity of the chairs in which the patients were laid out, soaped and shaved. We solved the problem in the brief perind of our stay as to what becomes of the old barbers’ chairs and billiard tables of New York, and the solution was that when they become aged and untasnionable—when they lose their freshness and beauty—they anift down to the West Indies and settle in Havana and other places. O! course it was alter the exact time when we finally reached THE ANTECHAMBER OF THE MINISTER'S QUARTERS. Here were assembled at a table in one corner of the room a dozen or so of men in one way or anu- other connected with the establishment. Four or five had uniforms marked on the collar with the letters “M. U.”? (Minister of Uitramar), or, as my companion suggested as the more correct reading, “Miserable Ushers;’ and ushers they were, but not miserable in spirit, for they smoked cigars, and looked very contented doing nothing. In an opposite corner 8 or 10 negro women were waiting to lay their complaints before the Minis- ter. While we stayed abiding our time to be called asiim mulatto woman, with a long-skirted dress trailing over the pavement, leading a child by the hand and crying audibly, passed in and had an au- dience with some oficial. She was a poor slave, who haa been beaten, and had lifted up courage enough to come here and complain of her cruel taskmasters. Later on we noticed a venerable darky, past threescore and ten, who had made up his mind that he must be over sixty years of age, and, consequently, entitied to his freedom. His owner had insisted on telling him he was not yet sixty; but there was enough shrewdness left im this native of Africa to know that even if he lived forever his master would never assure him he was over sixty. The district court being pre- sided over by a slave-holding magistrate, or sin- ico, there is little nope of justice for by THE COMPLAINING APRICAN or Chinaman who happens to be aslave. There- fore it is that these unfortunates make thetr way tothe palace. They have learned jn some inex- plicable manuer that Minister Soler has come here to better their condition ii he can, and already he has become known to them as their Moses. Many people passed in and out through the cool and Jofty antechamber while we waited, GENERAL PORTILLA, Commander of the Cinco Villas, was among the number. He had the least possible appearance of @ militafy officer, and one could readily understand how much better he was fitted co play the part of the. bland and conciliatory statesman than the fierce role of the soldier. As the former he suc- ceeded in winning over from the insurgent side the people of the Cinco Villas, where his sword would have failed of reaping other than bloody and barren laurels. Sefior Cancio Villaamil, THE INTENDENTE, or chief officer of the Treasury, was another of the distinguished persons who called to have an audience with the Minister. He looked as calculat- ingly sweet and amiable as ex-Governor Fenton in an election canvass. He had an Israelitish face and eye, and though he cannot tolerate Americans since the affair of the Virginius, It is said he 1s a remarkably polite and well bred man. The In- vendente is a great gun among the office-holders of the-+tsiand, for he controls the money bags, and as every Intendente from the time of Columbus down has returned to Spain a wiser and Py long odds a richer man than when he came, his position is envied above that even of the Captain General. Now comes A SENORA AND SENORITA, and our hearts sink at a sight which at any other time would have gladdened them beyond measure, for the senorita is a beauty as perfect and brilliant as @ rainbow; but then those great, Heed. jet black eyes of hers will so enchant the Minister that he will get oblivious of the existence of two HERALD correspondents in the adjoining room. ‘The result justifies our fears, It was past four o’clock before Sefior Bru announced that our turn for an audience had at last arrived. I should say of Sefor Bru that he was sent to Spain by the Spanish republicans of Cuba to request that the Castelar government would send one of its mem- bers to this colony. They sent Minister Soler. Bru, after the manner of Othello, had at one time in a duel in Mexico shot a Peruvian who had tra- duced the State of Spain, antl, though a Cuban, he at once became the idol of the Spaniards; but since he has taken up republicanism he has falien 500 per cent in their estimation, for they are monarchists in the blood and fibre of their bodies. At the four corners ofthe pale-plastered antechamber the eye sees and wonders at the sight of an imperial crown, which nobody has yet had the courage to wipe out with a waitewash brush. Republicanism in Cuba is a flesniess sup- stance, without life, strength or fulness, THE MINISTER'S APPEARANCE. It was a splendid audience chamber in which wé metthe Minister, He was dressed in irreproach- able black and his presence immediately arrested our attention. Standing about the middie size, with a finely formed head, surmounted by an abundant crop of hair, full black whiskers, soit and flowing as spun silk; large, prominent eyes, teem- ing with good will and intelligence, and features of statuesque regularity, expressive of a refined man- hood, he appeared tous a remarkably handsome person. He was cordial in his greeting, and Into the dignity of his bearing not a particle of the tra- ditional Spanish hauteur entered. We were soon seated on the satin chairs and sofa, occupy- ing the centre of the large apartment, which was wainscoted and lined with adeep wine colored aper, pencilled in gold, Then occurred the foi owing conversation, which ws conducted in Spanish, the Minister speaking rapidly and evi- dently full of his subject, THR INTERVIEW. CORRESgONDENT—We have called to procure from our Excellency —— : Minister Souen— Please dispense with the title, nr ‘with ite necessity, CORRESPONDENT — We have called then, sir procure for the New York Hegaxp such views fi you might be disposed oe concerning Much time ana study to have gleaned is free! Ventilation of this Publicity can do nothing else but ‘The press is @ great lever of puolic-opmion, It lifts ap the public mind from indifference to earnest con- sideration of matters vitally affecting socie! and civilization. I would say, then, that am not dejected. The subject’ of the aboll- tion of slavery in this island ap) at the first blush an almost impossible task to 4 about through fair and peaceful cumpromise. SO Many interests are involved and so numerous are the slaves that one has to consider endless sug- gestions and Ca rete to reach Pte like @ practical method of abolition which will steer clear on the one hand of injuring the national tnterests of the isand and on the other of so weakening the processes of emancipation as to make the ultimate end of slavery indefinite. THE SLAVEHOLDERS’ OPPOSITION. CoRRESPONDENT—You have learned the senti- ment of the slaveowners, How much and what kind of opposition do you apprehend from them? Minister SoLER—I have met with a great many Of the siaveowners, butn here and in the interior. It cannot be denied there is some opposition among them. There are rebellious spirits who will concede nothing, who hope to frighten the govern- ment from its purpose; but let me say that the majority are tractable and yielding. They look at the question in this light:—Cuba is now the only civilized conntry where slavery exists. That it should exist here forever, in the eyes of the world, in the face of the strong public opinion, the good- tude of indignant protest hurled inst it, is simply impossible. That it snould last for even 20 ears longer is improbable. Seeing this, and king all the ciroumstances into account, @ ma- jority of the slavehoiders of Cuba, I believe, are willing to meet the goverument and canvass the Pm It must force itself irresistibly on their minds that the day for the settle- ment of the matter cannot be indefinitely Becinonee. It ig in the universal conscience of pain, as well as in Se pexpoes of the government, to abolish slavery. oever governs at Madrid, that purpose will never be lost sight of. Spain will no longer be a reproach to the nations by counte- nancing and continuing slavery. I bave received @ private telegram from Madrid stating that at the next meeting of the Cortes this question would be taken up and, no doubt, settied. Isent for one of the leading slaveholders and told him what the fixed purpose of the government was, I asked him to call a meeting of slaveowners and let them de- vise & plan for submission to the government—iet them furnish sach propositions ior the abolition of slavery as would meet the design of the govern- ment, which was disposed to treat them with eve! possible consideration that was consistent wit the one object of a total repeal of slavery. NO RESULTS YET. CoRRESPONDENT—What was the result of the meeting? Minister SOLER—The meeting was held, but its results have not as yet come into my possession; but, as I said before, Iam confident the majority will prove tractable, if it were for no other reason than that they see no resource for themselves ex- cept by entering into the purpose of the govern- ment. They can no longer hold an attitude ot de- flance, and they are sensible enough to see it. WORK FOR THE CORTES. CORRESPONDENT—What plan of your own have you for the settlement of this question? Minister SoLER—The plan is ior the Cortes. Tnat body will take the propositions of the slaveowners and give them their due weight and considera- tion. Then it will finally jay down a scheme which will work out the ohject m view with the least dis- turbance to all the interests concerned, but with the sure aim of abolishing slavery in this island, CUBA AND PORTO RICO. CORRESPONDENT—Do you sup the plan of emancipation adopted in Porto Kico would be fol- lowed here? Minister SOLER—The cases are different. In the history of the abolition of slavery in different countries you will find that the character of the interests at stake had much to do with the sort of slaves. white population greatly predominated, but here the male white isin a minority. In Porto Rico the conditions were such that the emancipation of 20,000 slaves in the way It was mana, cted no special mterest injariously. Here, where there ig much more wealth, the results would be differ- ent. A sudden stroke of emancipation would throw great business interests out of gear and work deplorable confusion as well among the slaves themselves as among the slave owners, TIME OF EMANCIPATION, CORRESPONDENT— What time wouid you be dis- posed to set down for this scheme of abolition to work its purpose? Minister SOLER—I should say from five to eight or ten years. Itis but ashort time in the history of a country, and by the provision of this brief space great misery might be avoided in the future, while all that we 80 anxiously desire would be fully accemplished, VORRESPONDENT—Do you apprehend that even with gradual emancipation no shock will be given 4 me ee and sugar planting interests of the islane Minister SOLER—I have no fears on that head. When the conditions are known and rec ized. the future will be provided Jor and a class of labor introduced that will meet the requirements of the soli and climate and of the alterea state of affairs. Your Southern States are not so bapitepcpn dt gree as the anticipationg ot a great many would have supposed when free was. exchanged for slave labor, There is unnecessary apprehension on this head. My beilef is that the eat planting interests of the island will suffer no lerangement whatever. It is but reasonable to suppose they will be less remanerative for a time, but the ultimate results and the grand considera- tion of all, that the extinction of slavery wipes out @ great moral offence against the laws of Goa and man, should outweigh ,all the selfish pradence of the present. ABOUT HIS RESIGNATION. CORRESPONDENT—W hat is the expianation of the report that you sent your resignation to Madrid? inister SoLER.—It 1s trae I sent my resignation home and it occurred in this way :—I called & meet- ing of the principal and most influential people in thiscity and told them the pur- posesof my mission from Spain. I told em above all things that I expected that wey would render a ready obedience to the constitute: authority at Madrid, and the Virginius question being then the chief subject of thought, I ex- plained that uniess the orders from Sefior Castelar commanding her delivery up to the United States were obeyed, I should should fee) called upon by a sense of sell-respect alone to send in my re: a- tion, They did not exactly decline to obey, but they evaded the issue, and consequently I found no other course open but to resign. The resignation has not been accepted. Matters have assumed & different shape since then, and I shall continue yet. @ httle longer to do my best towards carrying out the important objects of tne mission entrusted to me. it was no pleasure trip for me to visit this island. You can hardly appreciate the sacrifices E have made to come here in the path of a duty I felt I owed to the government that gave me its confidence and to the country to which my alle- giance and services are due. EMBARGOED PROPERTY OF AMERICANS, CORRESPONDENT—The matter of the embargoed estates of Americans is something you must e Battced a8 giving some anxiety to our govern- meni Minister SorkR—On that head I wish to say the vernment feels every disposition to settle all Mculties amicably. All compromises with the Aa States in the matter will be saitnfully car- ied out. THE SLAVERY QUESTION THE MAIN POINT. CoRRESPONDENT—You are credited with coming here to cure the financial evils of the island. Minister SOLER—My attention has also been given to that; but the main ee of my mission 1s the slavery question, The financial troubles, the insurrection, the outstanding difficulties with the United States in regard to embargoed properties, &c,, are of secondary importance. When we have settled the slavery matter the field will pe clear for us to attend to everything else. That stands in the way so prominently that it 1s waste of effort to combat any other evils while it remains un- touched. I have no fears of the financ The sum of $50,000.000 is @ small debt for a wealthy island like Cuba. Of course it is well it is no larger, but as it stands it should give no cause whatever for alarm. The great menace to the peace and future happiness of the island is slavery. When we have placed that in a clear war to extinction everything se will come right, The insurrection will be pped of its strength, for then Cuba will be free = republican, and a great career will open ior er, CIVIL FOR MILITARY RULE. CORRRSPONDENT—When do you suppose Cuba will od gone on a footing witn Spain, and civil sub- stituted tor military rule? Minister SoLER—That 1s something which I know the Cortes will also take cognizance of. Reform is needed in the administration of affairs here. You can see the need Rigel and [shall not trouble ‘ou with the mention of the abuses that prevail. ivil rule for military by all means, but let me in- terpose again that slavery is the aes question With that satisiactorily settied all else will be easy. “ConnesroxnET— Excuse the trouble we have given you, but your courtesy and iaformation are highly appreciated. d ourselves, then rose to take nister and ourselves then isnve bs as we moved toward the door he ex- pressed himself in words of admiration of the char acter and greatness of the American Republic, winch he hoped Spain would one day emulate. He said also that he sympathized with us forage ists, for that he himself had once been in the pro- fession, and knew its trials and its triumphs, He asked kindly tor Mr, O'Kelly, and at the door he shook hauds with us and said he should fee! happy at any time to impart to us such iniormation as we might desire. DAMAGES FOR INJURIES BY A RAILROAD ACCIDENT, ’ EXxeErsEer, N. H., Dec. 23, 1878, L, Thomas Sanborn, of Rye, the mail agent who was injured in the Seabrook accident on the Baste ern Railroad, has settied his suit against the com pany for $9.000. which has been paid him,