The New York Herald Newspaper, November 23, 1873, Page 5

CUBA. The Spanish Reply to the Demands of the United States Government. rete MR. FISH’S ANSWER. ——_--——— We Holds the Madrid Administration, Instead of the Cuban Subor- dinates, Responsible for the Virginius Butehery. eb Rt. Spanish Sentiment Constrains Castelar. capes heettectee iar The Republican Government Pre- fers Defeat and Loss of Cuba to Popular Rejection, The Situation Critical, if Not Hopeless. Washington Authorities Withold- ing the Most Threatening Despatches, “in the In- terests of Peace.” WAR BELIEVED TO BE INEVITABLE. NEWS FROM MADRID. TELEGRAM TQ THE KEW YORK HERALD. A Stormy Meeting | Biekles and the Spanish Authorities— A Mad Mob Menace Our Minister—He Resolves to Remain. LonpoN, Nov. 22, 1973, Special despatches from Madrid to the London morning journals agree in representing that the Jate Interviews between Minister Sickles and the Spanish authorities were of a stormy character. «Mr. Sickles bavely escaped mobbing by the crowd which congregated infront of his res'dence. In conseauence of these demonstrations he deter- | mined to leave Madrid, but the government hay- Sng dispersed the mob and since maintained peace he has resolved to remain in the city. THE NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. Objections of the Spanish Government to Mr. Fish’s Demands, the | Answer of the State Departinent—The Blame of Virginius Shifted from Burricl! to the Authorities. Between General and the Butchery Madrid WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 1873. The Spanish objections to our demands ere the following: — First—That the Virginius ix not an American ship, even under our laws, as she was owned by | Coabans, and registered falsely in the name of Mr. Patterson, residing in New York. Secondiy—That she had forfeited even this false | registry by her subsequent sale to other parties, and, although she was alierward repurchased in the name of her former nominal owner, she was not newly registered as our laws require, Trirdiy—That she has frequently sailed during the past iwo years under the Mugs of other conn- | tries. Fourthly—That Generai Ryan, whose execution with the first party shot, is made the occasion of one of our reclaimations, was not 2 citizen of the | United States as alleged. é PUIhIy—that the Virginins, at the time of her | capture, was envaged in an anlawlul expedjtion against a iriendly Power, contrary to the neu- trality laws of the United States, and that all on Doard might have been arrested, tried and con- victed under these laws, both ou this o previously, without reference whether war existed in Cuba or not. ‘These allegations are made th ter demands of Spain tor possibly arbitration, but Mr. He takes the ground that if they were known to sion and to the question basis of the coun- delay, investigation or sh does not assent, the Spanish authoritic« us facts, resting upon sufficient evidence, and that the com- mander of the Tornaco acted upon such} knowledge in pursuing and taking posses sion of the Virginius, there can be neither @ificulty nor any great in laying them | @irectiy belore the go United States from Havana, without the tedious reinvesti- Vy, on the other hand, taken upon the delay rmment of the gation proposed at Madrid. the action of that commander Mere assumption of evidence, the chase, capture and retention of the vessel is an insult to the United States that must be repaired by the formal restoration of the vessel before any basis for investigation, discussion or arbitration concerning the other matters can be Feached at all, : Ifthe Spanish authorities have beea accumuiat- img and secreting evidence to denatioualize the Virginius, our government holds that the wrong done is scarcly a whit the less, because the proper course would have been to present the evidence at Washington, with a request that the vessel be seized by the United States and brought home for trial under our own neutrality laws. Such a demand, supported by suMicient proof, would not have been refused, But it was never presented, except by the commander of a Spanish gunboat to the captain of our own vessel, the Kansas, and under circumstances which left the latter without any power to entertain it, The Spanish authorities chose their own, method of enforcing our neutrality laws, and our govern- ment could not, if it would, permit them to escape the consequences, by now bringing forward evidence of which an American court of law is made tho rigntful judge under the acts of Congress, Even éf it could be shown that our laws relating to the nationalization of vessels and the preagtvation of neutrality are in configh and without facts proper with the law of nations, our government could not consent to the right-of the Spanish government to redress them in such a one-sided and arbitrary way as seizing a vessel sailing under their protec- tion and immunity, and treating those on board as beyond the protection of the flag that floated above them, or any flag at all, The State Department repels any idea that this | government connived at or was indifferent to any | violation of our laws by the Virginius, On the contrary, our Minister to Colombia ‘in 1872 did not content himself with accepting the prima Jacie evidence of the right of the Virgimius to be recognized and protected as an American vessel when he called on the Kansas to defend her against seizure by the Pizarro, but actually went to the jength of oficially investigating the infor- mal charges then made agaiust her, and put on record his inability to ind anything sustained but the fact that she had run a de facto but informal blockade of the Cuban coast, as any neutral vessel has the right to do, without incurring other risk or penalty than capture and condemnation if caught in the act, The responsibility of the commander of the Tor- nado and Goneral Burriel is considered by our offi- cials to be much diminished by the publication of the details of the capture and execution of the Virginius prisoners, a8 it now appears that the acted under his cruising orders and General Burriel tm accordance with the customary forms of trial and punishmert of insurgents; but the responsibility is regarded as made more serious by shifting it upon the superior Spanish authorities, who chose to consider them selves entitled to settle the statusand lability of the Virginius, and who must have permitted the custom to grow up of summarily putting to death all who {fell into the hands of the inferior military commanders, former Affairs at Madrid Critical, if Not Hope- less—Spanish Public Opinion Deters Castelar’s Administration from Acced- ing to Our Demands—War This Side of the Atlantic and Defeat with Loss of Cuba Overthrow at Home. Preferred to WASHINGTON, D. C., Nov. 22, 1873. Lengthy despatches Teceived by Secretary Fish in the past 24 hours have placed the government in possession of full information of the situation at Madrid, and the admission 1s at least made that affairs are critical, though not yet entirely hope- les: The policy of withholding the intelligence furnished by General Sickles, and giving out only the inferences of the authorities based thereon, is continued in the interest of peace, and tn the hope of easing the way to an adjustment by freeing the negotiations from the embarrassment of popular criticism while the terms are shifting. Two serious obstacles are now understood to block the way; the first being the unwillingness of che Spanish Cabinet to concede our demands without either a full investigation made by them- selves or an arbitration conducted or joined tn by | friendly Powers; and the second, the demonstration of the Spanish people agatust the crouching of their government beiore the United States. Enough has been made known ol the substance ofthe despatches of General Sickles to make it apparent to our government that the Castelar administration will stand absolutely alone if it should decide to avert the alternative of war by submission to our demands, losing even the support of the army, which it has succeeded in reorganizing at home, “On the other land, a firm refusal to surrender the Virginius or releaso her survivors till the rights and character of the vessel and her com- pany are better determined than now admitted by the Spamards {t is beheved would consolidate | sufficient support to keep Castelar and his party in power, even if Cuba should be lost and the Spanish iron-clads beaten off our ports, As there is no pretcnee that Cuba would be of any value to Spain and her army of officials if the | extinction of slavery should follow the suppression of the slave trade, it is believed in oficial circles, and especially in the diplomatic circle, that if pressed too hard by our government the present Spanish administration, or any that may succeed it if it siould suddenly go to pieces, will prefer even a losing fight on this side of the Atlantic to the chances of a violent downfall in Spain in the effort to escape a war. The dilemma of the Spanish government is re- garded by the Legations a3 an aimost equal em- | barrassient for our own government, which can- not properly confess a desire for war or vengeance, but only for a suitable reparation for insult and injury to our fag and those under its protection. “If this cannot be obtained from the present republican goverument of Spain we cannot,” high diplomatic authority says, “expect to obtain it di- roctly irom the Spanish nation or from any govern- ment set up in place of Castelar.’? Real Nature of the Sceret Despatches Has General Sickles Kept Back the ¥ Trath or Has Mr. Fish Withheld and Denied the Facts? WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 1873, The confirmation of the special Madrid despatch of the HekaLs concerning the critical relations between General Sickles and the Spanish Cabinet, out of tne insolent demeanor of latter towards our Minister, has been both a sui se and a sensation here to-day, alter the pains taken yesterday in official quarters to secure the wide publication of a prompt and sweeping denial of the whole serics of facts tele- grapiied to the HERALD, AN AWKWARD POSITION, The agreement of the telegrams to the London journals on the same subject places our authorities here it the peculiar situation of deny+ ing what they knew to be true, or peremptorily contradicting statements before they had any knowledge one way or the other, The daily assertions that the government here was in con- stant communication with Madrid, and, there- arising the fore, fully informed of all that was phss- ing, are inconsistent with this latter alter- netive, and the only conclusion left is that either General Sickles himself kept back the news while there was yet hopes of an adjustment, or that the oMcials here took the responsibility of attempting to suppress exciting Information for the purpose of keeping the way open for any con- cessions or abatement of our orginal demands that further devolopments might suggest as proper to be made, ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF OUR MINISTER, A statement is made on authority that a de- Spatch received to-day and laid before the Presi. dent by the Secretary of ‘State contained informa- tion of an assault or attempted A soa General Sickles and of the surroun of | house by a large body of soldiers to protect him- self and his household from violence, PROMPT DEPENSIVE ACTION. The action of the War Depariment, in ordering | the immediate preparation and strengthening of | Our coast defences against an attack by sea, con- | firms in some degree the supposition that the Serious condition of affairs at Madrid was known here at the very time of the denial of any such | condition: for it will be remembered that the game made ready against the same danger two years ago, and, as their tenor really shoWs, any orders given now must necessarily be defences were for instant serv! The daily drilling of engineer officers and soldiers in torpedo practice, the packing of torpedoes and igniling apparatus at Willett’s Point for Key West, the mounting of the 15-tnch guns, the lay- | ing down of additional gun platforms and the spending of the appropriations for permanent objects for temporarily increasing the effective | force of the defences, is well understood here to | mean apprehensions of | ACTUAL AND IMMINENT WAR. \ The defences of New York Harbor are announced as being at this moment ready for the combined assault of the Spanish navy, and the army engi- neers, who have worked away at their electric tor- pedoes in comparative silence for several years, go'ng over to Enrope in small detachments and studying the system there, are as confident as that, with the assistance of the heavy smooth bores already mounted at the works, they can turn the traditions of their corps permit them to be | back or SEND TO THE BOTTOM the most formidable vessels of Spain, The deficiency in the reserve supply of torpe- does for the several harbors occasions no anxiety, as effective substitutes can be provided as fast as water-tight kegs and casks can be collected, and in avery short time an abundant supply of sub- marine wire for conducting the exploding sparks will be on hand ready for distribution. Opinion of Judge Pierrepont—“We Shall Have War.” WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 1873, Judge Pierrepont, of New York, who bas been here for the past two days, was entertained fast night by Secretary Fish, several other members of the Cabinet being present. His opinion 1s that there will be war, as he does not sce how hostilities are to be avoided, considering the attitude of Spain, the preparations of our government and the popu- lar sentiment In both countries, The fact that Judge Pierrepont declined to take partin the demonstration at New York a few nights ago, on the ground that he was not sufil- ciently advised of the facts, and that he has been in conference with both the President and Secretary fish during his stay here, gives unusual weight | to such an opinion, apart from lus former oficial relations with the administtation and the frequency with which his counsel has been sought by our government | since those relations were terminated. | qt is understood that Mr. Pierrepont has been fully advised of the position taken by the govern- | ment and the information received at the State Department from Havana and Madrid, NAVAL PREPARATIONS, _— Business at This Stacton Progressing Favorably—Phe Storeship Sappiy in Port—fficial Changes. Business conunues brisk at this station, Every | department of labor at the Navy Yard is kept | going night and day and there is no indication of | any cessation until the soiled flag of tue Union has | been lifted from the Spanish mud in which it has | been so long trailed. | WORK ON THE SABBATH. Acting on the principle that “the end justifies the means,” the Sabbath day quiet will be broken in upon by the clicking of the machinists’, carpen- | ters’ and calkers’ hammers at the Navy Yard, “Sorry, but we can’t help it. Expedition is the life of busimess and Uncle means just that, judging'from the tone of our instructions,” remarked an official with whom the HERALD commissioaer conversed yesterday, Yes- Lerday 200 men were added to the working forces, of which number 110 were absorsed by the Con- struction Department and the remainder by the Steam Engineering, Ordnance, Equipment and Pro- | vision and Clothing bureaus, Additional requisl- tions jor men are constantly coming in to the Ad- miral’s office for “more help” trom the various di- visions of labor, ‘To-morrow in all probability 400 men Will be taken on to hurry up the Dictator, which vessel was expected to arrive trom New London hourly last might. She wii be hauled along- side the iron triple turreted ship Roanoke, which latter is ving at the cob dock. ‘she Npsic, which is said to be of DO Use for service, Will doubtless be ofered for sale at an early day, an end muci to be cored as she is only in the way where she now es. THE STORESHIP SUPPLY. The United states storeship Supply, 52 days | from Trieste, arrived at this port yesterda aiter @ stormy passage. She carried Amert- can Works of industry to the Vienua Expo sition last spring. Her Captain, who paid his re- spects to Adnural Rowan yesterday alternoon, re- ports that on Monday last they were in the centr olacyclone, the barometer registering the lowest ever expe’ ed, 28.60. Her officers, a list of witch was received through the courtesy of the | Adiniral’s secretary, Mr. Yardiey, are as foilows:— | Capiain—Charles A. Babcock. Lieutenants—James M. Forsyth, William Weich, E. C, Pendieton and William Swilt. AMasters—W. ki. B. Deihay and ©, Curtis. Passed Assistant Surgeon—F. M. Dearborn, ‘assistant Paymaster—W, W. Barry. Captain's Clerk—C. H, Harris, Pay Cerk—©, Jennings. Boatswain—Edward Bonsall, Acting Carpenter—W, Ii. Barrett. Midshipmen—Charies — Ferri)l Chauncy Thomas, The vessel will be continued in commission, but her Captain, who has had considerabie active eer Vice, together with his jellow officers, will be de- tached and ordered to duty on some of the iron- clads now fitting for service. This latter sphere ts | lar from being congenial to the feelings 01 officers, | who object to the “cooped up” quarters of moni- | tors. ‘The subjotned history of the Supply may not prove uninteresting at this epoci:— ‘The Supply was bought in 1846 and lozded with stores for the Mextcan war, throughout which campaign she served, It was this vessel which Lieutenant Commander D, )), Porter, now Admi- ral, brought the eatines the Mediterranean Sea, when it was thought that they coula be made | useful in Texas or New Mexico, On.the breaking out of the rebellion, under the command of Com- | mander H. Walker, now Rea Admiral, she took | the remgees from Pensacola—men women and children—whom the rebels had driven out into Fort Pickens, thus enabling the commander of the fort to hold out and detend the same until pro- visions could be sent him from the North, This | ship has carried stores to every quarter of the globe, and is now ready once more to ott, her Share of ammunition tor the “inner man’ in the form of pork, sait horse, hard tack, beans, “swamp seed” (rice) and “long tatl’’ (molasses). Though slow, she is good and stanch, and ready to carry stores to our feet in Cuban waters, OFFICIAL CHANGE! The following oficers at this station are under orders :—Carpenter Peter T. Ward has been de- tached trom the receiving ship Vermont and or- dered to the sioop-ol-war Brookiyn, fitting out at the Charlestown Navy Yard; Carpenter George Anderson has been detached from duty at this sta- tion and ordered to report for service on board the Colorado; Sailmaker J. ©. Bradiord has been de- tached from the Vermont and ordered to the Colorade. The latter ship will go into commission December 1, and Captain George M. Ransom is ¢x- ceedingly anxious to get away to the scene of action, “ At present he 18 qxecutive oficer ot the The Geti sburg, Captain McRitchie, sailed from this port with stores ior Newport and Boston last night. VISITORS TO THE YARD not unfreqnently meet with considerable incon- venience and annoyance irom the over oficious- bess of the watchmen and “Captain” Waugh, who the gate, While it is uqnecessary ta DIC: and Sam | | The Worcester NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23%, 1873—QUADRUPLE SHEET. vent “loafers” from crowding into the yard and usurping the time of menemployed there to work, it us not the jntention of tie authorities to exclude respectabie people who desire to gratily their cal osity by looking at the work in progresa between the hours of nine A, M. Gnd three P. M., upon any day, Sundar excented, The United States monitor Dictator, Captain Mintoyne, from London, for New York, is at | ancior off the Heracp telegraph station, at White- stone, Naval Assignments. Wasuinoron, Nov. 22, 1873. Pay Inspector W. W. Wiliams is ordered to the Volorado on December 1, Saiimaker William M. Howells to the Franktin, Lieutenant James R. Sel'ridge «om te Washing- ton Navy Yard, and Lieutenant William H. Parker and Mayter FE. J, Arthor from the Hydrographic Office and ordered to the Franklin. Gunner Thomas R. Wilson and Boatswain Join McCarey from the Portsimouth Navy Yard; Car- | penter t!, M, Giifiths from Boston and ordered vo the Franklin. Boatswain Andrew Milne and Gupner George P. Cus: man from the nava' sti at League Isiand ; rpenter Peter T. Wood from the Vermont, and Saimaker Georpee TY. Douglass from the Sabine, an:i ordered to tie Hrooklyn. Carpenter George |. Anderson from the New York Navy Yard and ordered to the Colorado, Ganner ©, C, Neal trom the Canandaigua and ordered to the Pinta. Surgeon G. W. Wood from the Naval Hogpital at Mate Island and ordered to the naval rendezvous at San Francisco. Passed Assistaut Surgeon W. J, Simon from tne the naval rendezvous at San Francisco and or- dered to return home and report arrival. Naval Preparations at Washington. WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 1873. The steamtug Rescne leit Washington Navy Yard this afternoon with 150 barrels of powder. The steamer Fortune, which is on the ways re- ceiving an overhauling, has had her torpedo spar taken ont and will be launched on Monday. An extra force is engaged on the Shawmut, and extra | time is being mude by the men at work ou the | machinery. A new suit of satis is being made for her, und she will be fitted for sea at the earliest possible moment, Owing to the sickness of a number of the marine guard at the gate tue guard has been remforced by 20 men from Neadquari On the recetviny ship Rehef there are a number of seamen, but the work of recroiting is rather slow, aboatad zen having been shioped during the week. There have, however, been @ bumber of inquiries as to time and mode of cnustment, and it is provable that all the men needed will be speedily obtained, The Pailadciphia Navy Vard—The Preparations for War—An Accident to the Manhattan—Off For Cuba. PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 22, 1873, The ceaseless activity which has for some days past been apparent throughout all departments of the Navy Yard 1s in nowise abating. Large ad- ditions to the working gaugs in all the shops nave | swelled the number of employés far beyond any | day since the war. The vessels now in the yard are demanding the entire energy of the con- struction and equipment departments. The double- turreted monitor Te:ror is having the heavy wooden beams under her turrets replaced by wrought tion stanchions. Her guns are all in good condition and her engines are being thoroughly overhauled, The monitor Ajax is still on the dry dock, having her hutl cleaned and painted. She |- willin all probability go back into tne water on Monday. The menitor Manhattan, Commander Yates, was ready for sea yesterday afternoon, and was to have dropped out into the stream at sundown for a start this morning, but about four o'clock @ very serious leak was discovered about two feet beiow the water line, amidships, on the starboard side, The wardroom and the officers’ quarters were all wet, and fora tew miuutes serious fears were entertained that the Manhattan would go down at the side of the South wharf. An exami- nation Of the jeak demonstrated that it was not serious. A latre gang of workmen were at once de ued to lighten the monitor, A large part of the stures and prov.sions and about flity tons of coal were removed to the wharf, ‘The work vontinued all might. The Man- | hattan is Low Well up out of the water, and the Jeak, whieh arose irom the parting of several rivets, will be repaired at once so that she will go | to sea in the morning. ‘the discovery of the leak | was quite ,ortunate, as the resuits, Naud the mon- | itor encountered 4 heavy gale outside, mint have Deen very serious and nave resulted in tie loss of | the crait wit ali on board. of lier officers :— Ccommander—A, %, Yates, commanding. Lieutenante—Thomas Perry and Isaac Hazett. Masters—N. E. Mason rae E. Nules. ‘, Z. Derr. Assistant Paymaster—George A, Deering. . aa Assistant Engmeers—John Lowe and Hiram Parker. Sevond Assistant Engineer—Jobn T. Smith, THE POWMATAN, Captain J. C, Beaumont, will sail from the yard to- migit, although it 1s probable that she will anchor inside the Cape until to-morrow morning to ‘Await the coming of the Manhattan, The Powhatan wili act as convoy to this monitor, and, when the Sea 1s not too heavy, will give heraline., She has rovisions and stores aboard for a long cruise, ie is still taking in coal, Captain Beaumont is anxious to get to Cuban wate His pride | in tne nation under whose flag he serves finds expression in cool but drm demands for tie vindi- cation of American honor, Every oiticer on board, inspired with the fervor of their commander, 1s realy, even anxtous for war. The officers and men i the United States Navy are, as far as T have been able to judge irom numerous inter- views, for immediate hostilities. The oMcors of the Powuatau are as follows :— catain—J, C. Beaumont. Tienitenant Commaiders—B. J. Cromwell, execn- tive officer; 0, F. Smitz, navigator. Licutenants—F, M. Gove, J. H. Dayton and J. M, Grimes, Hast. rs—T. M. Etting, J. P. Waliis and 8, H. May. énsigne—Huvo Osternaas, J. P. J. Augur, T. G. C. Saulter, ©. 1’. Vreeiand, A. C. Dillingham, H. L. Green ana G, F. W. Hollman, Chiey Engineer—W. W. Di an. First Assistant Engineer- W. Reaton. Second Assistant Engine: larr.e Webster. Cadet Engineers—L. W. Wooster and R. R, Leitch. Surgeon--S. VD. Kennedy, Assistant Surgeon—M. Hi. Simmons. Faymaster—L, G, Bilings. First Lieutenant af Marines—J. MM. T. Young. Captain's Clerk—J. De Bree Higgins. Boatswain—J. B, Aiken, Gunner—Jos. Smith, Carpenter— Sailmaker Paymaster. It is Very provable that the ! as the flagship aiter her arriy y is not so large as the Powhatan, | and it is regarded as more than likely that Admiral Seott willremove his quarters on board the larger vessel. ‘the tollowing is a list | Progress of the Preparations at the Charlestown Navy Yard=—2,100 Men Busy on the Franklin and Brookiyn, Bost Mass., Nov. 22, 1873. The bum of brisk and busy preparation at the Navy Yard grows louder each successive day, as | there is a constantly increasing force of men and consequent activity im the many departments. Under the itnperative orders from the Secretary of the Navy, at Washington, to hurry the work night and day the time of oficers and men ts completely occupied in their execution. The Commandant and chief executive ofMfcers are busy in apportioning the work to every neces- sary department, and immediate reports are made ot every important step in its progress. The force oi men is increased just as fast as it is possible to work them to advantage, although to-day the rash of employment was so great that the gates were closed against admittance Every department is worked as long as can be. In the equipment de- parrment work 18 continued until half-past ten o'clock at night, while the engineers’ and steam engineers’ department is run during the whole 24 hours. To-morrow (Sunday) the bell will ring, and the whole force o1 workmen will be employed, the same as on week days, There has been an unwontod at tendance of visitors since the _—ihurry began; and, even in the cold, threatening weather, the work on the Franklin is watched by numerous outsiders. ‘The Franklin isin the dry dock, and the main work at present upon her is in the in- terior, thongn, at the same time, the old copper is bemg torn off the hall jor the .purpose of calk- in, The Constructor reports ttiat this vessel will be prepared to receive water in her tanks to-day, and 20,000 gallons will be reqnired. The work on the Hrooklyn, which will not be finished until some time aster the Franklin is ready, consists at present of putting ta new boilers. The riggers commenced work upon the Franklin, yesterday. The force of marines is being enlarged and a re- crniting office has been established in Blackstone street, Boston, A few men are enlisted every day and are at once sent over to the Charlestown Yard. The number of employés at the yard at bell ring: ing last night was 2,105. Japtain W. T. fraxton wil command the Brook- lyn, and Captain Edward Simpson the Franklin. First Engineer Barris has been detached from this station and ordered fo report at Norfolk, Va, for duty on board the Despatch, The Portsmouth Navy Yard. PortsMourH, N. H., Nov. 22, 1873, _, The United States steamer Mayfower is ordered | | the ; ishment of the Iberian butchers, | like a great many other Cubans, sacrificed all he | stituents 5: from this stati N ae ‘lon to Norfolk and will probably sail A Suspicious Visit to the Dictator. Wasurnoron, Nov. 22, 1873, The following was received at the Navy Depart- ment to-day :—~ COMMANDANT’S New Lonpoy, Conn., } Sre—I decm itof suficient sign the department that last nity bout nine o'clock. two men, representing themselves as naval en- gineers, appeared at this station and directed the wittenman on duty to furnish them with a lamp, as they wished to Visit the United States steamship Dictator; bat, not having a pass from the com- | mandant, they were refused permission and rr ferred to the boatswain, living at the station. About an hour later they reappeared with a light and with the evident intention of g ing on board the Dictator, Upon being stopped they fired upon watchman and ran, Their fire returned by the watennian, who pursved them, but witout effecting their arrest, Very respectiuily RICHARD WORDEN, Commandant, To Hon, GeorGs M. ROBESON, Secietary, &c, THE ARMY AND FORTIFICA- TIONS, Preparaticns to Equip Our Armies and Defend Our Coast. WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 1873. It seems not to be generally known that there have been preparations quietly going on under the direction of the Secretary of War for placing our arsenals in condition to supply the wants of an army in the fleid, in case of war, and looking to the condition of the armament of our fortifications for the successful defence of our harbors against a hostile attack by iron-clads, The ordnance department of the army fa at this moment in inost active preparation jor a state of War, and is ready to suppiy an army with an entire equipment of war material, including the most up- oved b: i loading arms and field and seige atieries of artilters with every kind of ammuni- tion. The telegraph has been vigorously used | urging forward every preparation to the extent of the ordnance appropriation. ‘The ordnance officers are fully alive to the gravity of tne occasion and to the necessity for ample preparation te meet all demands should war be the resnit of onr present complications, Wile trom the nature of the case the navy had | to take the active initiative the War Department is funy alive to the crisis in quiet preparation for the future. Orrr ve Harbor Defences—Torpedces Hostile Lron-Clads, WASHIN is, Nov. 22, 1873, The Chief of the Engineer Coxps has sent orders to the various oficers of the Enzineer Corps in | charge Ofgthe harbors along the coast, to put them in proper defence for any possible attack from the sea. The Engineers’ Department wili a'so at once prepare torpedoes, with the necessary electrical cable instruments, tackle, &c., to be planted at proper points along the coast. This action has been determined upon tor some time, and the tor- pedoes being in readiness, this was considerea a very proper time to put them in position. THE FEELING IN THE CITY. ei te te BS to Salate The excitement on the Cuban question was at fever pitch last night; in the hotels, notably at the Fifth Avenue, where every person seemed to have no other topic of conversation. Tweed was only casnally mentioned, and the question to be heard on all sides was, what will Congress do abont the matter? and, “if the United States puts up with this, it will suffer anything at the havds of the Spaniards.’’ It is useless to dissimulate that tne cry on all hands was for war and for a severe pun- At the Grand Central Hotel, where a large number of Indian | chiefs and their squaws had arrived trom Washing- | ton, few people were heard discussing the appear- ances presented by these not very noble red men, | for in the corridors, as at the Ffth Avenue, Cuba and Spain were words heard at every step. Among | other hotels, where the discussion was carried on | with great animation, may be nientioned Barnum’s andé the Metropolitan Hotel, A CUBAN WITH AN IRISH NAME. A HERALD reporter had the good fortnne to meet at the Astor House last eveving Mr. John Dugan, a native of Cuba, and formerly a very wealthy and highly respected planter in the “Ever Faithful Isle.” Mr. Dugan 1s atull, handsome man, remarkably we'l preserved, and of about 50 yearsof age. He, —+ Dr. Govin and Mr, De Cordova cteared the Vii at the Custom House ut Kingston for her voyage Port Limon, in.Costa Kica, WESTCHESTER WANTS WAR. ‘The People and Press on Spanish Insos lence—itecruiting for the Cuban Army of Occupation at Sing Sing. The defiant attitude of Spain since the barbarous massacre at Santiago de Cuba, together with the studied insolence of her minions towards the diplomatic and consular agents of our government, have aroused throughout Westebester county an ~ imtense feeling of hostility towards that blood- thirsty nation, At all places of common resort, wherever two or more citizens may meet, the prob- ability of a war with Spain is eageriy discussed, While a jeverish anxiety to learn the “latest news” is observable even among those more staid citizens Who are not wont to take any special interest i passing events, The apparent tardiness of the State Department at Washington in not having, ere this time, made the inhuman butchers in Cuba to feel some o! the “stripes’* which are symbolized by our outraged fag, comes in for its share of denunciation, and the pertinent question “Is peace so desirable as to be purchased at the price of national distionor: mects with such a unani- mous response us can only procced from the lips of a patriotic, high-minded and brave people. The local newspapers, where they have any views t+ all to express upon the — situation, urge that the national honor and dige nity be maintained .at all hazards, and the Jeading republican orzan, published at Yonk- ers, which in the past has only re-echoed the sentiments of the administration, 10 its fast issue concludes an editorial article on existing atairs in Cuba as follows:—"*A war with Spain would make the administration more popular than any of its predecessors, Even its mistakes would ne overlooked. ‘There is a poweriul temptation to adopt extreme measures. We write against pres- sure, even in saying that we hope for reparation without bloodshed; but we are auequivocally and unqualifiediy in favor of son pyie: ‘Cuba, and holding it, wf not for all ime, at least until its present rulers are swept from power. Ii that condition is not soon accepted, then let our voice be for war and annexation. Halfway measures no more. Free Cnba! and America supreme in the Antilles.” Especially among the young men is the war fever almost at its height, causing the results of the recent money panic in rendering employ- ment scarce, to be overlooked i not almost for- gotten. It is enough for them to know that “the flag’? has been insulted, spat upon, while Aierican citizens were dragged irom beneatn iis folds to an ignominious death, and all that they desire now is a speedy opportunity of Meeting the mongrel miscreants on Cuban soll. In the matter of recruiting Sing Sing village has taken the lead. At tnat place Captain A. W. Jen- nings, a practical, soldierly Teugon, who has seen service in the Schleswig-Holstein war, and who for some years held a captain’s commission im the National Guard of this State, is organizing a com- pany to be known as the “Sing Sing First United Artillery.” Already 36 memvers have been en- rolled, while numerous applications are bemg honrly rejected, as none but picked men, and those who have seen active service, will be accepted. It is contidentiy expected that the requisite number will be completed by the middie of this week, When the company wili parade the village with music and banners. Captain Jennings assured a Hap representative yesterday that he “meant business,” and expressed an earnest hope that the government of the United States would declare war against Spain, in which event himself ana his command will be ready to set ous for Cuba ox short nouce. THE WAR’ EXCITEMENT IN NEWARE. eee Abrupt Departure of General Sherman tor Indtanapolis. ‘The war fever runs high in Newark, and there is slight doubt but that a call for troups by the Presi- dent would receive prompt response so far ab its fair quota is concerned, The confirmation of the HERALD’s special! Madrid despatch of the previous day by those yesterday, embodying the Washington government's ultimatum, greatly increased the ex citement; but when 1t was made Known that grave probability existed that the administration would supplement its brave werds by inaction and shift over the responstbility of the question on Con- gress there was considerabie chop-failing, more es- eciatly in those circles which had been crowing joudest over the conduct of the government. Even ju quarters where the “calmness” of the govern- | ment is praised the tact 18 still admitted that delay is useless. On this point the possessed for the sake of free Cuba, and now finds | leading udmimstration organ ot New Jersey himself, in his advanced years, a stranger in a | strange land. Tue following conversation ensucd between Mr. Dugan 2nd the reporter. REPORTER—What do you think of the probability of war with Spain, Mr. Dugan? Mr. DUGAN (*miling)—I will tell you what the up- | shot of the matter will be, Don Quixo will smooth dowu M Fish and will blarney | him in this fashion, IM give it you in| Spanish if you will allow me “Vamos Compatre Fish. a arregiar este negocio; entre | nosotros no habra novedad:* which being irecly | trauslated weans, “Don’tletyou and me fallout, as | ws understand each other.” 1 Kut, speaking seriousiy, all the Cubans wantis | belligerent rights and the power to recruit m in the United states. “Mark my words,” said Mr. Dugan, with emphasif, “give is this chance, and we Will soon rid Cuba of Spaniardsand the ceure of their government in the Western Hemisphere. We Cubang want to irce Cuba ourselves, abd if we are | granted belligerent rights we can arm thousands of | white and coiored ment in Cuba who are only wait- ing for the means to he able to atteck the Span- jards, and join the ranks of their Cul fighting ior their homes and lib 7" CONGRESSMAN MERRIAM, OF NEW YORK. In cofversation with Congressman Merriam, of | New York, at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, last evenin, he delivered himself as follows to a HEkALD re- porter:— “I believe that our government will do what 1s right in this Spanish matter. Lec us have pateace a ltte longer till we hear farther and corrobora- tive detatis. Naturally the blood of every Ameri- can boils when he reads of the Sant ago massacre. I know mine does, But it is useless tor us to act recipitately in the matter, and to rush into war, ike a pack of mad bulls. War, In mv opinion, isa terrivie thing, and ought not to be lightly under- | taken. I think one of the noblest achievements 0} modern civilization has been the arbitration in case of the Alabama, KerorteR— ing Would meet tlie es M@MeERRIAM—Wel), rdiy able to answer that question uow. ‘Spain, as you know, nas a | bloody history, and it is clear to the eyes of the | ban brethren, i nilar proceed- saiys:—‘We usk Spain to call of her dogs, but the dogs cannot be made to ovey the order. We see ‘put One wav ourof ft. We must go f and punish the dogs.” Phe tone of th press 1s virtualiy the same, Further di "18 nounced as not only dangerous, but absolutely cowardly. The fact of the right oi the Virginias to the protection of the American tag being set- tled, the duty of the government, as set forth, was to “make just such demand as it has made, ex- cepting the slavery point, and give 48 nours for a reply. Then, if the reply were satisiactory, all ; if mot, a moment saould not have been lost ng Cuban es forces, mpuision irom the Spanish cutthroats pirates there of indemuity and retribution,”? oMmcers of the second regiment have resolved to te r their regiment to the government for service in Cuba i peeded, So has Company A, of the Veteran regiment. RAL SHERMAN’S MOVEMENTS. an programme was that the distin- rwas to spend yesterday forenoon in Newars, making & proper inspection of the Ex- hibition building. Li consequence, however, of a despatch summoning hin to Indianapolis, he was competied to forego his visit, and, with lis aide, Colone] Audenreid, started for the West on an early train. Wiile in Newark soveral attempts were made to draw the General out on the Caban question, but without any great degree of success. All that he could be got to say was that in Strength onr figiting resources were equal to the worst emergency he thought it likely to arise. He Was uot in savor of going off half cocked. riglit by onr government in the work 0. occupy; waters and Cuban soi with United Sta and the ¢ and The Sherr guished sold | WAR SPIRIT IN RHODE ISLAND. sae Heury Ward Beecher Lectures at Provi- dence’ aud Advises “Government to Waita« Little Longer’=—The Pulse of the People Heats for War—Good Field for RecruttssSenator Sprague, the Soldier Governor,” and Major General Burnside, Both Ready for Action—What Senator Anthony Says. PROVIDENCE, R, L., civilized world that she is wnabie to control Cuba. The authorities on the islana oiten defy the home | authority, and I am inclined to think tuat general | satisiaction would take piace in the United States if Cuba were anuexed, And then the question of | slavery arises The present appears to me to be @ good time to cause its suppression. The thirst jor gold on the part of the Snantards has made { their name exe ed allover the known world. hk ORTER—IC is generally surmised that Minister | Sickles will bring about a rupture between the two countries ior his own honor and glory, Mr. MERRIAM—Well, I Know nothing about that, only I should like to see the place occupied by a cooley head, Here Mr. Merriam broke out into a smile and said, while speaking about the Spanish | business, Lam putin mind of what one of my con- | di to me the other da; He spoke as follows:—“You represeit us in Congress, don’t your’ Yes, I have that honor,” IT reniied, to Which my interiocutor rejoined with emphasis, “If a don't lick those Spaniards we'll tick you.” 'y well,” [repiied, ’@ What Congress does, and you won't be dissatistied, J guarantee.” And with this assurance | was allowed to depart. “L remember,” coutinued Mr. Merriam, “being an eyewituess at Havana twenty vears ago to the execution of our boys, and as long as I live [ shali never forget iny indignation, Which is now re- awakened to asluliapiteh by the Santiago mas- sacre.”’ RerorreR—What action, in your opinion, will the British authorities take in this matter? \ Mr. MgrriaM—I have no doubt that tney will | co-operate with us should we wish {¢, for there were is of their subjects on board the Virginius, they say, but whether they were killed or not L can't say. But, eer what may, the Sey of our banter must and will be protected. ee peo- ple demand it, ana Congress will be iound no lag- gard in the matter. The country is terribly agi: tated over the matter, and justly so, MR, MEIGS, THE BANK EXAMINER. This gentleman Was found at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and in reply to @ question as to what ne tt of the situation remarked :— eve we shall have a Yankee protectorate in Cuba, just as John Buil established one on the Mosquito Coast territory, and hetd it for several ears, until it reverted to the possession of the lexivans.”? INTERVIEW WITH DR. MANUEL GOVIN, A HERALD reporter saw Dr. Manuel Govin, who recently arrived irom Jamaica, at the Metropoli- tan Hotel last night. He informed @ HEra.p re- porter that he had just received letters trom Ja- Inaica, tn which it Was stated that as soon as Sir John Peter Grant, Governor of Jamaica, heard of the massacre commencing at Santiago he had tele- graphed to General Burriel, through the British Consul, to stop the execution of the 16 British citizens on ‘the Virginius till the arrival of the British war vessel Niobe from As Gleave ‘The American Consul had | likewise egraphed jor the Wyoming to proceed to San- ti Dr. Govin added that his letter showed that there was terrible excitement in Jamaica on the subject of the massacre, and that @ large amount of inoney had becn raised to support the eae Of free Cuba, 1% way here be remarked that _ | Lite Renewed interest was given to the Cub tion by remarks of Henry Ward Beecher upon it in his lectnre here last mghtin the Lycenm cours The war fever is up to such a pitch that Mr. Beecher eonld not reirain from departing from bis regular subject—“The Wastes and Burdens of —and touching upon Cuban afuirs; and when thus speaking (le great Plymouth church orator arose to his greatest fervor and spirit and madean | eloquent plea for poor, down-trodden and op- pressed Cuba. From the depth of his heart ne BADE A GOD SPEED TO THE STRUGGLING INSURGENTS, compiimenting Spain, however, at the same time, for her efforts to regain her once proud posi- tion as a nation and shine forth under the giortous light and freedom of a Repubiic, As an advocate of the Gospel of peace, Mr. Beecher could hardly tavor any sudden, precipitate war, preferring, if the thing is possible, & peaceful solution of the present difficulties,’ He thought our government could well wait fora ‘ VINDICATION OF ITS INSULTED FLAG, which vindication, he believed, would be all the clearer by such waiting. He said it would be well to ‘wait long, and then watt longer’? before ap- pealing to the arbitration of the sword, It will, he thought, especially be a much better argument for this great American people than to waste OUR POWDER AND CANNON, and, last of all, our men, Mr. Beecher closed with the emphatic ‘remark—‘ say let us wait!’ The remarks of the pulpit and platiorm orator were at times applauded, espectaliy in bis eloquent ex- Jee Ol sympathy for Cuba; but it was evident is advice to “wait” did not sult the audience, Who had and still have tresh in their minds the re- fuga! of the Spanish butchers to “wait” and their Massacre of their poor, defenceless victims, When the Iast remark of Mr. Beecher, given above, ‘was uttered, the audience thought to give a prac- tical illustration of impatience instead of “wait. ing,” and at the same time show their DISLIKE TO ANY SUCH POLICY ‘as the lecturer advocated . are ee nes the arose to leave the and tl were foi- song trae many moro, and Mt, Beecher’s auditors were considerably lessened in number in a very short time, MUCH CONFUSION revailed for as much a8 ten or fiteen minutes, leaving the lecturer in anything but a pleasant sition, After order had been finally restored iit, Beecher returned to his reguiar subject upon which he came to lecture, aud conciuded his re- mene Beta fen viet Pd ir. Beecher, ‘rom what I am able to observe, does not refiect " / THE OPINIONS OF THE MASS! for the expression here on nearly all Mase'ts tg CONTINUED ON TWELFTH PAGE,