The New York Herald Newspaper, November 17, 1873, Page 3

© CUBA, Alleged Plot in Conjunction’ with the Virginius. Report of an Impending Ministerial Crisis in Madrid. ARE WE PREPARED FOR WAR? TELEGRAM TO THF NEW YORK HEFALD. Reported Plot in Conjunction With the Virginius—An Alleged Intended Rising ef the People. be Havana, Nov. 16, 1873. The Voz de Cuba says a conspiracy has been dis- covered in Holguin and the surrounding jurisdic- tion for a rising simultancously with the landing of the Virginius expedition. ‘The plot bad extensive ramifications throughout ‘he island, and was to have been carried into exe- gution on the 1st of November. Many persons have already been arrested and the arrests are daily increasing. The Voz hopes that the parties proved guilty of taking part in the conspiracy will be judged in ac- eordance with the utmost severity of the law. THE NEWS FROM MADRID, TELEGRAM TO \HE HEW YORK HERALD, Rumors of an Impending Ministerial Orisis—The Government Urged Not to “ Dismiss the Captain General of Cuba. Maprip, Nov. 16, 1873. There are rumors that a ministerial crisis is im- pending in consequence of the Virginius affair; but their truth is denied in official quarters, A delegation from the Spanish Colonial Club ‘Waited upon the Minister of War to-day and asked him to keep Captain General Jovellar at Havana. ‘The Minister replied that he would be unable to ‘Gecide until he was more fully informed of recent events in Cuba, The Correspondencia contradicta a current re- port that Jovellar has resigned. LONDON PRESS OPINION. TELE.RAM TO ThE MEW YORK RERALD. British Ideas of the Governmental Policy im London and Washington. Lonpon, Nov. 17—5 A. M, The 7imes this morning, in a leading editorial, Bays that if the Virginius affair had occurred dur- ing the ascendency of the democratic party Cuba Would doubtless have been immediately an- mexed, It draws a contrast between the conduct of the Spaniards in Cuba and the lenient treatment by the Amertean £Overnment of foreign blockade runners during the Febellion. If England is called upon to act, in conse- quence of the execution of any of her own subjects, there is no reason why she should not acknowl- ‘edge the independence of Cuba, especially if the Act would check such outrages. It recommends the adoption of that line of policy ‘py the United States, The Datly Teegraph contains an articte similar tn tone to that of the Times. Both journals concur in the opinion that Spain is powerless to enforce reparation, and that the United gtates may possi- Diy be compelled to intervene, even though re- Juctant to do so. THE NEWS FROM WASHINGION. Army Opinion on the Invasion of Cuba— Can We Protect Our Coast and Land an Army of Volunteers on the Island !— Probable Leaders of +>» Expedition. WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 1873. There is nothing new in official circles concern- ‘ng the Virginius, no telegrams having been re- ceived from Havana by the Secretary of State since those mentioned in Friday evening’s despatches. Tre telegrama {rom General Sickles since that time merely acknowledged the recetpt of the late instructions, The conference between General Sickles and the Spanish Minister for Foreign Af- fairs will probably take place early this week, and the resuit will be promptly reported to Secretary Fish by cable. No telegrams have been received confirmatory of the executions since those of the 4th, 7th and 8th inst, In conversations to-day with prominent officers of the army now in Washington the military re- sources and condition of the country as related to the possibility of a war with Spain were de- veloped. It is proper to say, however, that the Probability of such a war is not entertained by army officers, though the feelings of indignation and resentment against the murdera at Santiago are quite as strong and pronounced as in the naval branch of service, and there appears to be the ®ame ready disposition for war service without actual anxiety for it as among naval officers. So far as conce rns the army, a war with Spain, though imvolving the two questions of offensive and defensive operations, would be much simpler and far less momentous than a war with Great Britain, for the reason, apart from the inferior strength of Spain as compared to England, that offensive operations on the part of the Spaniards would necessarily be confined to naval attempts against our seaports, and our offensive projects would all centre in an invasion oi Cuba. There Would be no Canada to become the scene of wasting and harassing border warfare and point of offen- sive concentration for our enemies and object of invasion for us, nor a common battle fleld or thea- tre of siege operations, first for one and then for ‘the other of the combatants, OUR COAST DEFENCES, ‘On the question of our defensive condition there is the best authority for stating that the sea coast fortifications are themscives in excellent trim, For severai years, ag repeatedly mentioned in these despatches, they have been under- going changes necessitated by the changes in the modes and means of attack of fortified places, and though not yet finished they were made ready for immediate éervice at the time of the complications growing out of the execution of the students at Havana, especial attention being given then and since to the detences of the Southern ports, The plan adopted, after several years of experiment and study, and partiy completed, has been to erect powerlul barbette batteries of earth and sand, thoroughly protected by traverses; also to modify and strengthen the old barbette bat- teries to the point of enabling them to deliver and Tesiat the gigantie projectiles of the present day; secondly, to substitute gun carriages that protect the guns and guuners for carriages that expose Doth above the parapets; thirdly, to liberally use heavy mortars; fourthly, to employ torpedoes in the defence of channel ways; fifthly, to use ob- structions and floating batteries to detain hostile ves: ander the Ore of our guns; and, lastly, to Substitute for existing ordnance the largest and @iost powerful guns that can be made and used. The batteries we have virtually ready, The NEW YORK | Aodet of te provecting gun carriage 1s believed to 7” ae ‘be NO” perfected, though considerable time would * | beDecessary to make, transport and set up the car. ges themselves. The mortars are scanuly gup- plied at the principal fortifications; \orpedoes enough for immedvate service at larger ports will be ready in a few weeks; but the supply for smaller Ports and a reserve for all ports is needed. The channel obstructions are things to be provided as actually required apon pians already prepared jor each port, and the floating batteries exist only in experimenta, designs, WAT WE LACK, The most serious deficiency is the want of @ proper armament for forts and batteries, Over 11,000 smooth Here guns, of 20, 15 and 13 inches calibre, are .equired to arm the works, of which jess than One-taird are in existence, There are only some 60 mortars where 300 are requirea, Of the 8,000 rifed guns ueeded in the plan of arma- ment not one cau be made until a successful issue results from trials and experiments that are yet far from completion, In case of emergency, however such guns ay ur in existence could be mounted, and with late imorovements in powder, might be used eflectivi It is evident that army officers why have any kKiuwledge at all upoo the subject such as enziuser aud ordnance oillcers, have a Wholesome respect for the offensive power of the Spanish navy, aud would, m case of need, feel bound to put forta their best efforts in preparing our sea Coast de‘ences against the passage of hos- tile Spanish vesgela into our harbors. ca CUBAN INVASION. The opinions gained upon the subject of invasion and conquest of Cuba may be summarized as fol- lows :—~ The invading army should consist of at least 50,000 men, chefy if not wholly volunteers. Tne regulars being couflned to the requisite number ol batteries of sight artillery and sufMicient cavalry for sconting and escort duty, From considerations of economy = in transporta- tious, t.eir readier power of becoming ace mated, the possibii.ty of withdrawing them (rom the country with less disturbance to industry and the opportunity of winning back their allegiance to the fag, the volunteers should be taken princi- pally from the South, Volunteers are preferred by the War Departuent to militia organizations for the sime reasons that controlicd the choice of volunteers in the civil war, THE POSSIBLE LEADERS, Gener. Sheridan was named in answer to my inquiry concerning the probable commander ot | Such aa expedition, if it were sent, it being a belief in the army that “Little Pull’ is possessed ofa genius for tactical combinations and strategy that has oeen overiouked by the country in its admira- tion 0° the dashing qualities that made him re- nowned as @ Cavalry Officer, and the presumption being that Geueral Suerman, as Commander-in- Chief, would find his proper feild of duty at Wash- ingtoa. Among the names of the officers now on the Active list of tie army wao, by reason of present rauk and reputation made in the late war or service, are regarded us probable selections for subordimate commands are those of Schofield, McDoweil, Terry and Crook, among the generals; McKenzie, Custer, Merrits, Baker, Merrill, Carr and Alexander, of the cavalry; Upton, of the artillery; and Hazen, Miles, Tally, Stanley, Davis, Crittenden and McCook, of the infantry. As there would be a great deal of detached ser- vice, much admixture of military and civii admin- istration and quite a large number of virtually in- depeudent garrisons, it 18 thought that there would oificers just named, besides the rank and talent coming into service temporarily with the volun- teers. As the success of military operations de- pends iargely apon the staff, the exploration of the resources of the army list necessarily extended to the principal stat corps, discovering among the adjutent generais of approved reputation, Whipple, Vincent, velouse, McKeever and Taylor: among the inspector generals, Hardis, Davis, Baird and Ludin.ton; among the quartermasters, Holabird, Chandler, Batchelder, Bmgham, Ludington and Sawcelle; among the engineers, Barnard, Tower, Wrigut, Newton, Gillmore, Warren, Craighill, Com. stock and kiliott; and among the surgeons-in_ chiel, C.oper, Baxter, McFarlin, Vallum and Wovster. 2 ‘ WORK FOR THE NaVY. The most dificult question connected with an invasion of Cuba is conceded to be the landing of troops and their material on the island. Ali the ofticers interrogated confessed that the under- taking would be one of great doubt and danger, and none were prepared to sugyest atthe mo- mentany better pian taan to raise and embark the force as speedily as possible, surround it with the full strength of the navy, trust to our war vessels to give jull employment to the fleet that Spain would be sure to concentrate, even if they had to draw oi and run for @ home or neu- tral port aitera landing was effected, and land the troops wherever @ landing could be made, either together or—what would proba- biy become necessary—in isolated detach- ments strong enough to defend themselves with “Cuban aid and assistance, and near enough to concentrate for offensive operations after all are ashore, But even that would not be ieasible, unless our navy were able to wrest a safe and commodious harbor from Spanish possession, or We were willing to bear the loss of such of the transports a8 could not elude or outrun the Spanish cruisers after unloading. THE QUESTION OF SUPPLIES, It would be necessary, too, to keep open com- munication with the United States to obtain sup- plies, although it is believed that an invading jorce could maintain liself tor a considerable time on such supplies a8 might be in the isiand and the corn, rice, coffee and sugar that are products in abundance. Once salely ashore, an in- vading army would not encounter insur- monntable difficulties. Though .but little is personaily known of the country among army officers, there ure excellent topographical maps and charts in the War Department, which, with other means of iniormation now under examina- tion, give assurance that the Eastern Department, where the insurgents are in force, ts far the worst part Of the island for military operations, and that on the favorable side of the account there are in other parts wagon roads enough and good enough tor those who have fought in our own War of rebellion, and eomparatively few engi- neering dimcuities such as the passage of wide and deep rivers, In brief,almost anybody in army uniform isready to undertake the conquest of the island, though unprepared to say just how and at what cost of life and property and in what time the conquest could be effected. SMALL ARMS, Any war With Spain, should it follow from the present complication, would tind the country short of breech loaders of the latest pattern, though the converted Springfleids now in the hands of the troops are deemed by the ordnance officers to be equal to the best Spanish arms, and the newly adopted arm could be turned out with astonishing raptdity at the national and private armories under the impulae of necessity, MILITARY EQUIPMENTS AND MOUNTS, If the same uniform were worn that served dur ing the rebellion scarcely @ dollar need be spent on that account, as ample stores are on hand yet at the depots of Philadelphia and Jeffersonvitle. Horses for cavalry and artillery service and mules for baggage, supply and ordnance trainy would necessitate immediate andjlarge outlays, and the cost of water transportation would be an immense bill for bankrupt Spain to pay in cash or in territory. The commis. sary and medical departments would only need sumcient appropriations of money and a temporary increase of oMcers to abundantly feca the troops and take care of the sick and wounded under the present organization of these depart- ments, and the engineers, who concede a high Standard of excellence and efMicioncy to the corresponding arm of the Spanish Service, say that there would be no delay in getting out such siege and bridge materials 48 would be needed by the time @ force could be got ready for embarkation. The ordnance branch, which recognizes the samo bigh excellence in the Spanish artillery as 19 accorded abowe so thelr engingerd RAS Ao be ample employment for the larger half of the | | batteries ready at all times for service, and could | ‘prepare and ship the ammunition and projectiles within the time consumed in organizing the troops, A BIG BUT NOT HOPELESS JOB. Reviewing the whole military situation, it would seem to be the concurrent opinion of the military authorities that, despite the formidable naval power of Spain, our own coasts could be defended and those of Cuba seized and held as the cost of tmmediate and large appropriations by Congresa, well directed and incessant activity in all de- partments of the staif for a few weeks, effective co-operation from onr own navy and an uncertain loss of life and property; but the most significant fact of all 1s that no intelligent and well injormed army man is disposed to make light of the Spanish means of resistance, or to con- cur with what seems to be the popular opinion, that the seizure and retention of Cuba would be a trifling thing to accomplish, They put their views on the ground that, while our own defensive power is so high as to forbid an attempt to invade our territory {rom any quarter, our offensive power under the modern conditions of warlare would really need carefal organization and protracted effort to become effective and cer- tain in result, and that in the present case we cou'd only be sure of an easy and speedy success by an overwhelming preponderance of navat strength, NAVAL PREPARATIONS. “ Phe Navy Department hae further ordered the iron-clads Cannonicus, at Nahant, and Wyandotte, at League Island, to be immediately fitted for sea. All vessels now on their way or under orders for Cuba have been furnished with a new projectile, said to be the most effective yet known in naval warfare and which will enable our wooden Vessels to successfully attack the most formidable of iron-clads of the Spanish navy in the event of hostilities. The Ordnance Bureau of the navy has given orders to increase the force at Newport, aud to Work a3 many hours as possible until otherwise ordered. THE BRITISH MINISTER, It is rumored to-night that the British Minister has, in obedience to a telegram from his govern- ment, sent from New York by a special despatch bearer, an order to the Admiral commanding the British fleet at Bermuda to concentrate in Cuban waters, with his flagship at Havana, The report of the execution of British subjects and the disre- Gard of tae protest of the British Consul at San- tiago de Cuba, it is said, has been confirmed, NAVAL MOVEMENTS, Brooklyn Navy Yard. Owing to the pressing nature of the business on hand work was continued on the sloop-of-war Juniata late on Saturday might and resumed yesterday. All her armament has already been placed on board, the work of coaling nas almost been completed and scarcely anything remains to be done except a few trifling repairs to the botlers, which, with bands working all jast night, will probably be finished this morning. It is understood that Commander Braine will report her ready for sea to-day. The vessel will be towed from her dock at the Navy Yard in the jorenoon, and will at once proceed to the Battery, where she will receive her powder and sieli and an additional compliment of men prior to sailing. The work has so iar been pushed forward with remarkable rapidity, and among other commendable ieatures shows what great interest the oiicials at the Yard have taken in carrying out orders promptly at this critical time. the Juniata carries eight guns and about 300 men. Nea ly all the officers who accompanied her in the recent search for the Polaris crew are still at tacied to her. Work will be commenced on the Colorado this morning. The excitement in relation to the Virginius affair continues unabated. The Sceretary of the Navy and Chief Naval Constructor En Route for League Island, PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16, 1873, The Secretary of the Navy and the Chief Officer of Naval Construction have just arrived and will go to League Island in the morning. The last order is to put gunson the Pinta, An immense force of men have been working on her all day. She will sail on the same day or immediately after the Manhattan, Movements at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. PHUADELTULA, Nov. 16, 1873. Seven hundred men, the full force of the Navy Yard, were at work to-day on the monitors Man- hattan, Ajax and Canandaigua. They worked from holi-past seven this morning until eig tt o’ciock to-night. The Manhattan will go into commission to-morrow, The Ajax will have her tuiret placed to-morrow, The Pinta, a large tug, is being made ready as @ difpatch boat, it is said, to run between Key West and Havana. There are being put on board four nine inch pivot guns. From New York the Pownatan and Monongahela are expected daily. The former will act as convoy to the alanhattan. In the latter vessel the work- men are engaged in placing torpedo booms, Huodreds of people were around the Navy Yard ail day discussing the situation. Sailing of the Oxsipce from Newport. Newrort, R. I., Nov. 16, 1873. As announced in the HERALD, the Ossipee suc- ceeded in getting aboard her torpedoes, &c., and sailed at eleven o’clock this morning from the station for Hampton Roads, Ontictals at Goat Island were very reticlent as to her destination, and, in fact, everything connected with the working of the station is kept secret by order oi the government, hence it 18 really impos- sible to glean anything definite. A heavy storm of wind and hail arose this after- noon in this vicinity, and it is hoped the Ussipee suffered no damage in consequenve. THE WAR FEELING. Public Interest in the War Crisis Un- abated—fo-Nignt’s Mass Meeting—The Juntata to Sail To-Day. The almost universal topic of the complications with Spain was discussed yesterday throughout the city, and was thoroughly canvassed wherever men were congregated, especially at the club houses and hotels, Public interest has not abated one whit in relation to the matter, though, of course, the excited horror and indignation of the first few days of the tragedy are subsiding. People have begun to look at the matter resolutely and in a dignified manner, and pubdiic opinion if crystallized into the idea that this nation can accept nothing but the | amplest reyaration at the hands of Spain. Of course, Such an iniamy can never be atoned, never | compensated for, but among the elements oi re- dress it 18 demanded that the perpetrators of the atrocity shall be punished—by Spain if she has tue power to execute an order in Cuba, and, if not, | that then our government should undertake their apprehension and chastisement. there were no tormal meetings in reference to the affair yesterday, but many informal cousulta- tions were held between Cuban leaders and Ameri- can sympathizers, All the arrangements for the mass meeting to be held at Steinway Hall to-night | are completed, and an immense and influential | demonstration will be the result, General Banks, | William M. Evarts and Congressman S. S. Cox are announced as speakers, THE QUAKERS READY TO FIGHT. sin Intense Feeling in Philadelphia—Noth- ing But War a Compensation—The Operations League Island. PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16, 1873. RECRUITS FOR THE CUBAN ARMY. Veterans on desirons of joining an tn- devendent company for special duty nthe couteiip ated q 5 Spanish. United States war will please send their ni and address to “W. F. iquartery of tho Cul Junta, Flith, above Locust, or Majo J"? at this ottle The above littie notice is such a ‘air exponent of local thought just at this time that I clip it from one of the Sunday journals and leave the reader to imagine what it neans, As your correspondent had ocvasion to remax yesterday, the excitement here is very great, and the above is only oue of many forms in which it dads development. This sacred day of rest Wears not the quict, peace- ful face of the others of its class; but the massacre which has been vivientiy stigmatized by THE PUBLIO PRESS has found vehement denunciation from the puipit ag Well, The people seem to think that the emer- g@encies of the moment must be met; and, could the government close tts eyes for a moment, they themselves would specdily shape the necessary Measures to avenge this national insolt—this inhuman, cowardly slaughter in the only proper | way. comld exceed she hitverness which char | Acterizes the Sunday morning papers. All save one—which is so small and insignificant that it can hardly be called an exception—have caught the spit of the public, and, while they urge no rash or hasty onslaught, they demand from the authorities at Washington prompt action and en- ergetio measures, They ingist that the right will have been done when retaliation is made which shall equal the insult to our flag. This they ask for in behalf of our boastea courage, patriotism and ability to defend ourselves when struck ®& foul and cowardly biow. ‘They feel that the American people will not oe satisfied with any ordinary apology, nor will they tolerate the Republic of Spain to thus insult with periect im- punity our national colors, Some of the Sunday papers, which, by the way, have no connection whatever with’ those published during the week, believe that the government will act tardily, and permit this insuit to go unavenged. One of them thus Sprariy expresses this view, Is is to be re- ‘etted that any one in this whole country could ave reagon for its utterance :— The poltoy of the American government, when it should be manly, is mean. Every cutthroat country in the world can sfap our chops, insiait our flag and murder our Men with ly @ protest trom either H’resident, Cabinet or os The toremost nation in the world is thus become the football of the lowest clown who apes or hasscrown Thereiore, with all the bustle, bi and bravado now extant, we shall doubtiess fing our Navy in Cuban waters, sent thence wo protect * fag,” will be but so many ‘adjuncts in the Spanish cau and 69 inany encuies to Cuban independence and the abolition of human slavery in the Queen of the Antilles Forgetting that, in our hour 1 trouble, spanish treachery contributed to measure- less complications, embarrasainents and discouitures, the American government hale in iis duty to a bra people, and \impsin the presence of a puny peer that in the hour of our supposea weakness spat {p our tuce while dailying with our enemies arrayed in arms is. Have we no manhood left’ Is there mot a seinnila ol the spirit of brave old Andrew Jackson extan' in tbe land? One spark of the old fire wouid Kindle American airiotism anew, give hope toa new nation serosgitng lor living liberty, vindicate the honor and flag of our country and consecrate the American Continent anew as the homestead of free men. Another journal, alter a long and impartial re- view of the affair, says: We ought, as a ainst ni at once to resent, and resort toarms The Spat volunteers in Cuba have no re- spect for the rights of nations, and but little for the tov tering Power to which they are presuined to hold aile- ‘Sud itis, therefore, the duty ot the authorities and people of this country to interiere at this juncture, and by summary proces and armed force, Dot only obtain retribution for the capture and slaughter, but put & stop lorever to the bloody contest which laf ‘the last five years has been waging there. We shall, fn common with our people generally, deplore commencement of another war; but, under the circumstances, it cannot be averted without dis- honor to th nation, The sentiment throughout th ogee in advocacy of forcible measur: eing taken, and the demand for prompt action coi fortunately as a time when probably 100,000 men have majority of been thrown out of employment, a ree whom would rally aboutthe standard at the first call for troops, This spirited editorial is to about the same end 4s one of the recent communications from this city tothe HegaLp. No detter time could exist in which 80 many men could be found Willing to en- list for war, nor could ANY NUMBER OF MEN be called to fight for a nobler cause, In saying this iam simply giving the direction of popular thought, and not personal feelings. This city, its Wealth, its intelligence, its inhabitants, are all ready for war, and the circumstance oi two regi- ments of New Jersey offering their services to the government haa meét the hearty praise of many a veteran, tried and never found wanting when our brethren, and not a foreign power, dared w insult our Qag. | have conversed with many @ hero of the last confict, urged on by no such heinous butchery as this, and they teil me they are ey at & moment’s notice, The army whic! they claim could be gathered in 10 days, would, in its numbers, astonish the world, and it would at the same time represent the pride and glory of our entire people. I icei sure that unless despatches subsequently received shall contradict the terrible news with which the coun. try 18 at present appalied there will be many regi- ments of this State, which, following the wortny example of the two mentioned above, will piace their services and their lives at the disposal of tneir country. It ts to be hoped, nay, itis the prayer of the people here, that onr governmental authorities will not by any unmanly action, permit ail the Justly bitter feelings thus entertained against those who have done us injury to turn upon their own heads. Could any logic deduct a fairer conclusion than this set forth by one of the daily news- papers :— Let us remember now, ifever, the war that followed upon the heels of that Aprilday when cumter teli; th thousands of millions of dollars that were scattered ; th hundreds of thousands of precious lives that were sacri- ficed; the ruin and desolation that it leit belind, that urvive, It was no foreign down the flag at Sumter; It was an cnemy composed of the friends and brothers of those who afterward marched down upon the South tu redress the wrong. We were fighting, for four years, our own countrymen. We were wasting their felis, destroying ‘their homes, carrying death and desolation among them. wasting then by fire and sword for no betier reason than that they had dared, in the insolence of their assumed strength and our assumed cowardig®, to fire upou a bit of bunting which repre- sented, and still represents, the integrity, the honor and glory of the Republic. Twelve years have assed ‘since the wrong was done, eight since it was redremed, and only now the North and South are coming together avain as friends and brothers. Yet that which the Soutn did in 1861 some mongrei Spaniards have done in 1873, I h#ve mentioned already that upon no question which has arisen since my coming here has the local press been so earnest, 80 excited, or so true to the spirit which pervades the heart of ever: true American in this city, Every item of intelli- gence concerning THIS DEVILISH BLOODSHED, every bit of news, no matter how insignificant, Telating to it, is eagerly scanned and earnestly talked about wherever you chance to go, The condition of many of the monitors at League Isiand and their inability to be turned into imme- diate service, is a matter of no jess surprise than the fact that when the massacre was effected we had bo ship in Cuban waters. enh ele: here ciaim that our navy is constantly sacrificed for political pur- poses, and that the funds necessary to conduct @ war are continually misappropriated for the suc- cessful management of an election. There is no reason why our navy should not now be ina fair condition for service, nor is there any reason why the sloop-ol- Janandaigua should have been compelled, a8 she is, to undergo two weeks’ re- pairs before sailing. Most eagerly are the telegrams from Washing- ton awaited, and the people here trust that the news may be such as to set all the bells ringing and every flag streaming from one end of the country to the other. GENERAL W. A. C, RYAN. Interview with a Brother of the General, {From the Chicago Times, Nov. 14.] A reporter of the Times has ascertained that General Ryan had a mother and sister residing at No, 290 North Market street in this city. the deep interest vested in the lile, career and fate of the brave patriot, he called at their residence for the purpose of eliciting any tnformation of general interest that the mother and sister of the unfortu- nate man might be willing to place in his posses- sion. The reporter found them both deeply affected by the sad intelligence of the deatn of General Rya Upon the sister, who isin a delicate state of health, the terriole blow had fallen with cruel force, and the mother was inconsolable, Apprecia- ting the depth of their grief and the cruelty of asking them to talk upon the subject uppermost in their hearts at this time, he desisted from the at- tempt, but was referred by them to MR. PATRICK B. RYAN, @ brother of the dead patriot, residing in Joliet, bat who had arrived in the city on a sympathetic visit to nis motuer and sister after receiving the distressing news of his brother's death. Mr. Ryan courteously gave the reporter the tuformation he sought. EARLY HISTORY. General Ryan, whose name, instead of being Washington Ryan, is William Albert Charles Ryan, was born in Toronto, Canada, in March, 1843, and consequently at the time of his death had not reached the years which are supposed to bring manhood to its prime, William, as he was gen- [teas called by his parents and associates, asa by ture and excitement. His was a restieas, untam- Knowing. ever manilested @ desire for a lite of adven- | able disposition, never satisfed when not partici- | pating in something savoring of dash and spirit. He apparentiy was born for just such au eater- prise a8 cost him his fife. e usual dull, mo- notonous surroundings of boyhoou were borne with @ dislike that was but lily concealed, and from his earliest years he was restloss, lougiug for scenes that would cater to his thirst for a life of activity and adventure, In his boyhood, as much as possible, this was gratified by lis lively partici. pation in all the active sports of bis pluyicliows, and in each of them he came to be a recognized champion and adept. He was a lad full of ttle and courage, always ready for the most adventurous sport that might present tiwell. Was any boyish exploit of more than usual daring to be attempted, Ryan was one of the foremost of those to enter upon tt, What school advantages could be ob- tained at Toronto he eagerly seized upon, for with all his thirst for adventure be was yet studions, and, a8 is generally the case with boys ef uis tem. perament, learned with great rapidity. His edu- cation could not be said have been extensive, but it was thorough @o far as it went, and com- ann a knowledge of the stadies pursued at the est Toronto schools of that day. But Kyau was NOY CUT OUT FOR A SCHOLAR, and besides lis circumstances were not such as to enable him to obtain a more liberal education. If be had possessed this opportunity it is not likely that he would have availed bimselfof ite Privi- ciation of scholarly attainments abted, but bis disposition too iuueh favored a@ life of activity to permit nim to pass the years of quiet nm ary to gain suc! even if he had been pecaniarily able, Ryan's father died while Wiliam was yet a voy, and he pe edb saga ne rst starved out in ive with xtracting as Much excitement as she duties of arias ih A CLERKSHIP IN A ORNERAL sTORR in Terenas. pus they ware nat wagy, aad the dul) A HERALD “MONDAY, NOVEMBER, 17, 1875—TRIPLE SHEET. life was not sutted to. young fellow of William’s ambitious tastes, ryt saw no speedy means of ae however, Fin gern in or some m0 exhil Meanwhile no qualities that were ‘calculated. ts make him @ mercantile prince, The excitements of welghing out sugar, counting eggs and attending to the general’ wants of castomers in- pired no affection for such pursuits, and jhe longer he followed them the more intolérable i came his discontent. They were certainly very boy who dreamed of tame Smusements for o scenes of bravery, wild adventures and a rovin hh 1859, When he was sixteen years ile. At length, h old, an opportunity was offered him to . {alo to actin the capacity oF a ao Bue CLERK IN THR GLOBE HOTEL of that city, Bidding his family goodby, the lad for the first time went out into the world to do for himseif and alone. It was the first time that he had een separated from a mother’s care and the gentle intucnces of home, but he went forth with @ brave bart and a stout i esolve to make his mark. To a iad who never in his life had been away trom home beiore the change Was an agreeabie one, and the life in a hotel was more in accordance with lis disposition, Here he remained until 1462, Tho outbreak o! the war was regarded by Kyan as THR GREAT OPPOWTUNITY when his dreams of ambition might be realized. It was a golden chance which he would fain im- prove to the utmost, and with ots heart (ull of sym- pee for the siae of the North, he took an un- ourded interest in gli the stirring events of that time, At the firet call for troops Ryan would have beep the foremost to volunteer had it not been for the persuasions of his mother, With a mother’s fear tor the safety of her loved one, she interposed alt possible objections to his going, and urged them with all the persuasive power of which @ mother’s jove is capable, ‘ough his heart was filed with patriotic zeal, and burned to taste the glories of the bavtiefield, Ryan was for a time dis- snaded from entering the service, aud con- Unued to pursue the more peaceful voca- tion of hotel elerk. He was active, bow- ever, all the military operations that occurred about home, such as attending ‘war meetings” and assisting to enlist recruits, In everything connected with the war he was intensely inter- eated, and as its events joomed up Been bigger, he watched them longing'y irom r, envied the more fortunate mortals participating in them, Juat before the surrender of Fort Donel- son, early in 1862, the tuirest for army life had be- come 80 unquenchabie that family objections, if not removed, were not strenuously urged, and Ryan assisted in enrolling # Buituio company of volunteers for the lézd New York regiment, and receiving A COMMISSION AS FIRST LIBUTRNANT 1M recognition of his enthusiastic services, he took his departure with the regiment to the scenes of smoke and battle. Here, as did hundreds of thousands of others, he followed the various chances of war, He waa a partic.gant in most of the battles fought by the army & the Poto- mac, and in each acquitted himself bravely. In March, 1864, his regiment was ordered to Geu- eral Foster’s division, and under his commaud Kyan took part in the memorabie battles of New- vern,.N. 0. Through all the previous battles in which he bad been bravely engaged he had escaped uninjured, it was iu the second of the hard tought engagements before Newbern that Kyan was des- tined to taste the bitter fruits of battle, At day- light, one morning, soon after his regiment nad arrived on the scene of action and had been as- signed 4 position to the front, it was ordered to charge a horde of rebels discovered throwing up iutrenchments to enabie tus tw cover a bridge upou which our army depended tor its communi- cations. The regiment started on a run, Ryan gallantly at the head oi his com, any, and on near- ing the works received a galling fire trom the enemy. But, thoagh manya brave fellow went down berore the leaden storm, the survivors rusued forward and received three deadiy cha ges, when they were compelied to retire. in this sortie THR GALLANT YOUNG LIEUTENANT RECEIVED SERI- OUS WOUNDS, and sunk to the ground, but was rescued by his comrades, One rifle oall entered his let hip, pro- ducing a /righttul wvand, and auother entered the leit leg, @ short distance above ihe knee, Prob- ings of the surgeons sailed to discover the latter ball, and the wound caused by tt produced a lame- ness, from which he never tuily recovered. He was taken to the Foster Hospital, where he remained on the sick list ior six months. it was a season that was most impatiently borne by Kyan, wio longed for health and active service. On regaining the iormer, his gallantry on the occasion wnen he received the wouuds, Which vad been remarked by his superior officers, won for hima well-deserved promotion, and with a CAPTAIN'S COMMISSION in his pocket he joined the One Hundred and Nine- ty-second New York regiment, theu in Hancock’s veteran corps, where he remained until the close of the war, serving througuout with honor and dis- tinction. "rms fact was Tecognized tn a pleasing way by his comrades, who, upon the termination of his Service, presented him with a most beautitul sword and sash. AFTER THE RETURN OF PEACE Ryan, whose ariy life had filled his desires and at the same time pretty wel: unfitted him for any- thing else, was at a loss how to enyage uimsell. A Tetarn to the monotonous, dangetiess avocations of peaceiul times was looked upon by bim as a most distastefui tate. But there seemed nothing more in store ior him @t-that time. te could not reasonably expect the war to be capunued on his account in the face of the desires of 8 ons! ole number whg were tio New York me dis- banded, and appears to have remained tuere some time waiting with hopeful expectations tor some- thing to turn up, Something did turn up, This time It was CAPTAIN FISK’S MONTANA EXPEDITION, inaugurated for the purpose of developing the mining interests of that ierritory. For Kyan the expedition possessed a great deal 01 a traction and promised to be prolitic of adventure and pernaps the excitements of danger. Tue Lerritory to wnich they were going at that time possessed the charms of unfrequented wildness and Indian depredations in much greater extent than at present, and toward it Kyan’s mind had turned from the days of his boyhood as a land where the pleasures of @ free and roving ule could be indulged in unstint- edly. He gladly accepted a place in the expe- dition gotten up by Colonel risk, therefore, and with the party REACHED HELENA CITY IN SAFETY, Here be iound the mining business promised to be very remunerative, and at once engaged in it. After being actively in the business for some time, and enriching himself by a considerable amount of money, 1n company With Colonel scribner he started a mining bureau in Helena city. for the disposal of tracts of mining land and for the purpose of disseminating general mining informa- tion. This business he carried on with much suc- cess for nearly two years, in that time estaolishing himself in the good opinions of the Helena city in- habtants and becot one of the most popular men in tnat section, About this time he turned his attention to TERRITORIAL POLITICS, and was sent by the peopie of the Territory to Washington to represent them in some political undertaking. He accomplished the business witn marked ability and success, and had he chosen to do so probably might have achieved a pecan position in the politics of the tar West. But a new subject, just then coming into prominence, at- tracted his interest and enlisted his sympathics. Wuule in Washington THE MOVEMENTS OF THE CUBAN INSURGENTS in some way were brought to his notice. The po- litical changes im Spain had just begun, and the restless, sympathetic movements in Cuba were just beginning to tndicate the feverish hatred to Spanisan rule. Ryan watched these movements with interest and speedily determined to share in them. He was not long in deciding to espouse the cause of the native Cubans, Their struggles for independence and the intolerant oppressions of the Spanish government at once awakened his sympathies and his indignation. Betore leaving the East he had fully made ap his mind to embark in the Coban enterprise and accept ali its inci- dental glories or hazaras. He returned to Heiena, aiter completing the business at Washington upon which he was commissioued, and, selling out his interest in the mining bureau to Colonel scribuer, he resurued to the States and MADE HIS WAY TO NEW YORK, Here he at once put himself in communication with the foremost men among the Cuban sympathizers of that city and announced his desire to lend them his assistance. His reputation as a soldier and his earpest sympathy with the movemeut secured a thankiul acceptance of his profer, und soon he was heart, soul and body engaged th the work, The cause Was donated with his best ability, hardest labors and duancial aid, His eutuusiasm in it soon gained him the recognition of all the Cuban leaders in New York, and with Aifara, Santa Rosa, Ces- pedes and other prominent Cubans he was inti- matey associated, The reiugees in New York, as they Came to Know the man, saw iu bim one of the most powerful allies, and at the time of his un- timely and cruel death not aman among them was more admired {or his bravery and devotion to their cause, In 1969, in company With Allara aod Goi- couria, THE CATHBRINB WHITING EXPEDITION WAS OR- GANIZED, embracing @ band of 600 volunteers. Great pains wero taken to elude the authorities, who were at that time exceasively watchiul to nip at the outset ali expeditious directed against the present rulers of Cuba, Ditferent ruses were resorted to to elude them; but the men Were captured and Ryan was detained as A PRISONER IN THE LUDLOW STREET JAIL, with Alfara, Goicouria and others, for violation of the neutrality laws of the United States, While ban Tae! the Court in which his trial was in progress Ryan's keeper was Knocked down by some Of tus coniederates, and Ryan made his es- cape, joing to Canada to evade the vigilance of the authorities, anti such time as tt should be less directed towards the Cuban sympathizers, Lave in the same year be emerged from bis Canadian PLACE OF BKPUGE, and started upon a second expedition, ander the command of ler Cisneros. This was more Suc cessful in respect to the esplonage of the authort- ties, and reacued Cuba tn safety and landed upon its Shores & considerable body of bal armed, thor oughly equipped aud determined Here ya remained fora year, galnung ah distinction as a cavalry commander, “or whlch she Coban Congress conferred upon tum the rank o! brigadier geberal, After this he returned, on re- queat of t nban President, Cespedes, to organ: ine anotn podition. This he did, but it proved Unsoccessful, and Kya put back, after reaching Port an Prince, te this coautry. SINCE THAT PIMR, up to the day of his death, he was most g-tively engaged tn promoting the cause, and nota native Cubau. Who Jeit the voke of onnreasion the Deay: {New York, ee ol ‘one of the most dev. IN pide ii Rn! Wein si . erect and military In ng, quick in his movements and possessed a might be regarded as handsome, His balr, wh was light, he wore long, the locks hanging down his shoulders and mal My) his appearance peca- liarly noticeable. He is descrt asa man temperate in his habits, of most generous impu! of a very sociabie disposition and one who leaves: large number of personal friends to deplore the fate to which his devotion to a people st for their independence at last brought > which he yndoubtedly met with the coolness an bravery with which he had many times before jooked death in the face. THE BROTHER, MR. PATRICK B. RYAN, to whom the J%mes reporter is indebted jog se foregoing information, was formerly a resident this city, He left Toronto, where he was born, and went to Indianapolis, where he gneaged iy the boot and shoe business, which trade he st follows at Joliet, In 18d6 he removed to Chicago, living here some time and then removing to Mokena in Will county, whenee he removed tox. Joliet. He speaks in cones of the greatest affec~ tion of hig dead brother, He ts anxious to have: his remains brought to this city, and has alread: sent an Application. to the Vonsal at Santiago de Cuba fort in his possession, among which are VALUABLE MEMENTOES q of the family, he is also desirous of obtainii t If the application which he has made mects with 4 the assent of the Cuban authorities, Mr. Ryan will Instruct them to forward the remaingot! his brother to New York by the earliest eteamer, where he wilb proceed to accompany tiem to Cuicago, Another brother of the deceased General, name® John Ryan, resides in Pine Biull, Ara. It appears that he was possessed of very much the same love: for adventure and excitement as lis more noted: brother, Early in life he learned the printer's trade in Toronto, Aiter following this «vocation, in that city for some time, he went to New Orleans , in 1858, where he went to work a3 @ compositor: on on New Orleans Detta, There he remaine ne OUTBREAK OF THE WAR, when he attempted to make his way to the North. We was intercepted aiter reaching Arkansas, aid impressed into the Con(ederate service. Unce in side of a butternut uniform he developed sympas thies entirely in accordance with the rebel cauge. He served the Coniederate government until the’ close of the war, being @ good soldier and a thor-\ ough fire-eater. On the return of peace he made bis way to Memphis. Here it was his iate to at- tain for a time # national notoriety thiough be! ‘4 arrested for JOHN 1. SURRATT, @ crimina? upon whom at that time the governe ment Was exceedingly anxious to lay its hand: This took place in August, 1865. Ryan was arreste by government detectives, who astutely reco; t nized tn him the man for whom tiey were searche ing, and taken to Wasbingtop. There his identity’ Was not established for some time, and he wag allowed to lie in confinement in tue Old Capitol) rison. Alter remaining there until November, he government made up its mind that Ryan wi not Surratt, ont instead of releasing him he wi sent to Vicksburg, aud for no reason except per= haps his well known rebel prociivities he was, ciapped into prison there. On at last obtaining hig, freedom, Ryan WENT TO PINE BLUFFS, where he now resides, aud started @ newspaper, called The Southern Vindicator, a sheet Niggrouayy espousing what little was left of the ‘lost cause’ and vitaperating the North with industrious bite terness, During the time of editorsnip the highly seasoned journalism of Pine Hluts was productive of occasional duels, and on more than one occasiol Ryan bad to stand fire. The adwiniscratuon of / Governor Clayton having squeiched Ryan’s Raper, he entered upon the peaceful pursuit from wi Lon, Cincinnatus was called by nis couatrymen, Mrs, Ryan, | THE MOTHER OF GENERAL RYAN, a} has lived in Cuicago since 1865. She was left @ w.dow in 1855, aud a lew years alterward married) her present husband, Joon Dunn. At present she resides with her dauzhter at No, 299 North Marketi Street. ‘The death of her son William under such atrocious circumstances bas plunged her into the aeepest grief. The news has had such a sad effect upon the invalid daughter that she has been en- tirely prostratea since receiving it, and dan- gerous results are appreliended, VIEWS OF THE PRESS. The Boston Glove (supposed to express the views of a gentleman once holding @ high position in our State Department) says :— Itis hard in a matter of this kind to keep om feehngs under the control of reason, but we think that even the Warmest advocates of the Cuban cause must confess that it 1s not to be expected that we should take up arms on behalf of men who have abused the privileges oi our flag and thereby tended to embruii us im war wien o friandly bower In asubsequent number the the same paper ree marke :— We do not desire war with Spain, and wonld nog take an upmanly parsnsece of ber crippled coudi. tion to make ner responsible for the accs of the ir- responsible desperadoes who have violated by these outrages the commands of the home govern- Ment, as well as the usages of humanity and the laws of war. Modern civilization has no moi heinous atrocities than these to answer for. The 148 Englishmen who were immured in the Black Hole of Caicutta underwent terrivie sufferings, but some survived to tell the taie; but the pas- sengers and crew of the Virginius have leit no liv- jug Witness of theirdoom, Suiajea Dowlah, who perpetrated the massacre of the Black Hole, was not blessed with the advantages of civilization, and only followed the dictates 01 bis craity Asiatic ture in his cruel act. But a people in the nine- teenth century, enjoying the benefits of modern enlightenment, cannot imitate, with impunity, the atrocities of a native of Bengal. There is no doubt that, had time and opportunity favored, there would have been torture as well as death fiicted on the victims of the Virginius, The Boston Advertiser (inimical to the adminis- tration) asserts that: A repetition of such outrages would justify the Unitea States in taking care of its own citizens in Cuba by its own armed lorces. But @ single oc- eurrence, duly atoned for, does not confer upon us such aright. The e‘iciency of the Spanish govern- ment as @ general rule is not disproved by the oc- currence of @ single instance of insubordinate wrong doing on the part o: its officials, It may prove that the offence has been against civiliza- tion rather than specifically against the United States, but for the present, at any rate, it is plain that nothing more can be done py the United States than to express strong reprehension, and to demand investigation, apology or reparation at the hands of Spain, We should not care to go to war to appease the manes of the tilibusters, nor is it at all certain that il we were so incilned we could make out a good casus belli, The Hartford Courant (whose editor ts an exe Governor of the State and at present a member of Congress) says:— 5 While we are at peace with Spain, and have no more right co interiere with Cuba than we have with Canada, the United States harbors a great many filibusters and adventurers—Cubans, Irish men, Americans—whose business for years has been that of revolutionists wherever there was a chance for an excitement. Some of them are American citizens and some are not. Many of them are mere rowdies, lowers and adventurers. though sey flourish the titles of “general” and olonel, They are ready at any time for an ex- pedition to Canada, to Nicaragua or Cuba. If they are American ‘‘citizens” they are of the sort that, require constant watching by the police, They use our flag and the name of citizen of the United States principally to embroil us with nations with whom We are at peace, 4 The Worcester (Mass.) Press (republican) says:—- It may be said that the Virginius was not, strictly speaking, @ privateer; but she was cer- tainly engaged in an ublawiul pursuit. Cuba has not been recognized as a nation, and if we con- . sider the Virginius as a vessel belonging to Cuban insurgents then our government has suffered no vioiation of the law oj nations. On the other hand, if the Virginius was not such a vessel she must have been an American vessel, and in that case our government is liatie for a violation of the laws of neutrality, But the most reasonable construction ol the matter seems to be that she was to all in~ tents and purposes a privateer, and that her being such renders our positiou parallel to that of Eng~ land 19 the case of the Alabama, Until it ts decided upon good authority that our rights as a nation have been violated we snouid be very careful how we declare war with Spain. In the meantime, if the Spanish government does not speedily take Measures to make reparation for this brutal out- Tage upon humanity, ten let the civilized nations of the earth joiu in teaching her a lesson in civilta: tion, The Springfleld {tass.) Repudlican (anti-admin- petal lh! y aeeunen th tare made in this the demands that hi mater Wil be pased on the i u whole Cuban iniquity rather than upon the me sacred character of the Virginius In equity, and according to the usage on land, the vessel which engages in an expedition in vividtion of the laws of the country whose flag she bears and of its treaty obligations, forfeits her right to the immu- nity of that dag; the men on board of her jorte! their right to protection as citizens of the country which they have voluntarily abandoned for the op- portunity of injuring. Due care must be exer- cised, however, as to the ascertainment of the facts by competent tribuaais, and due regard had for humanity in meting out the punishment. Here is the substantial ground of our complaint. The’ men were hurriedly condemned without communi- cation with our government or creer of de. fence; the local authorities disregarded their su- Pei! perhaps suppressed their instructions, an ually perpetrated ® massacre which wouid have disgraced the Modocs. What steps we shall take, to enjoin the state of anarchy in Cuba it is impossi- bie to determine till we Know just what the Madrid) government itself is willing to undertake, Says the democratic Boston Post: Bven the tamest spirited American has felt bia OONTINUED ON TENTH RAGH -- _— em, Some of the elects which he hadi | \ ee ‘