6 DECEMBER 1873, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

MATTERS look threatening between the United States and Cuba. It appeared till last night that the Government of the United States and that of Spain were quite agreed as to the outrage on the passengers and crew of the Virginius, at Santiago de Cuba; that is to say, Spain had agreed to surrender the Virginius, with the remaining crew and passengers, and to try those officials who condemned the crew and passengers to death, for any violation of the law or of treaty stipulations of which they may have been guilty. And Cuba seemed to be so far submissive, that the commander of a United States' war-ship telegraphed to Washington from Santiago de Cuba that the authorities there were ready to surrender the Virginius. The President, in his Message to Congress read on Wednesday, declared the question between Spain and the United States "in course of satisfactory adjustment, in a manner honourable to both nations." If it should be shown that the American flag which the Virginius hoisted was legally hers, Spain was to salute the American flag by way of reparation ; and if it was not legally hers, the United States were to try the passengers of the Virginius surrendered to them for violating the neutrality laws. In any Case, the friends of persons illegally put to death were to be in- demnified by Spain. But the last telegrams inform us that all this fair prospect is blighted. The Captain-General at the Havannah had telegraphed to Madrid that it was impossible to surrender the Virginius, in the present excited state of public opinion ; and he offers his own resignation. This bodes forcible intervention from Washington. President Grant has got the whole American Navy ready for war, and will not be sorry to be compelled to use it,, For using it will mean much more than 'compulsory indemnification. It will mean also compulsory emancipation of the slaves.