We hear from the United States that a pacific settlement
of the . question between the Washington Government and the Govern- ment of Madrid is now expected,—at what possible cost to the prestige of the Government of Senor Castelar at home we will presently say,—to end pacifically. The Philadelphia corre- spondent of the Times telegraphed on Monday that the Wash- ington Cabinet had decided that the ship captured by the Cuban Government, the Virginias, " legally " carried an American register. From what we have since heard, it seems more likely that what was decided was that she did carry an American register, and that the legality of it in America was a question for the United States, and not for Spin. At all events, the President demanded that the Virginias should be given up to the United States, and it is said from Madrid that this is determined on, and that after this, all farther differences can be settled between Spain and the United States, as also between Great Britain and the United States, by negotiation. There is as yet nothing at all to prove that the unfortunate crew of the Virginias, executed on the 7th November, were guilty of any illegal act whatever. If so, Spain, of course, must give ample compensation to their families, and punish the Cuban authors of the outrage.
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