NEWS OF THE WEEK.
WE have two sharp quarrels with American Republics this week on hand. The first case is rather obscure, inikit would seem that Captain Hyde was in command of the steamship ' Tacna ' when that ship was lost. The regular consular investigation followed at Valparailio, and the proceedings were forwarded to.the,BoSrd of Trade, but the Chilian authorities not being content, arrested Captain Hyde on board a steamer, and flung him into prison. The Minister, Mr. Rumbold, has demanded his release, an 4pology, and 125,000 as compensation, and sent for the Pacific squadron to enforce compliance. The Chilian 'Government Will probably do justice, as it was overborne by popular clamour, but the other case is much more serious. The Commandant of San Josd, Guatemala, a Colonel Gonzalez, has actually, with- out reason assigned or offence charged, ordered the British Vice- Consul, Mr. Magee, to be shot, and when his officers declined to obey, to receive 400 lashes. Only 200 were inflicted,. when the Government ordered Gonzalez' arrest, seized hii on board the 'Arizona,' and it is said, will execute him. That is however, no reparation either to the British flag or to the Vice Consul, and the nation will look to Lord Derby for swift and visible reparation,—the punishment of the officers who permitted the flogging, though they prevented the murder, a distinct apology from the Government which appointed Gonzalez, and such compensation as Guatemala can give to Mr. Magee. Sada- factory compensation is, of course, impossible.
