New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-27
OUR SPANISH RELATIONS.

| EXTENSIVE NAVAL PREPARATIoEs--How ADM
| RAJ MALCAMPO WAS CBECKMATED-THs
SPANISH MINISTER PREPARED TO DEMAND
HIS PASSPORTS.
| WASHINGTON, Nov 2.-It Is certain that the Gov
eminent has made very extensive naval prepare
tons, in view Of the attitude assumed by the Span
ish representative under instructions from Madrid
regarding the Cuban gunboats and Cuban recogni
ton. The facts about the activity In our Navy
Yards during the last ten weeks have already beer
published, and il is doubtless also known, that ~
rapidly as our ir0n-clads monitors and Other armed
vessels were got ready for service, they were dis
patched for ports in the Florida Keys, in the West
Indies. and at other southerly points. Tho Spanish
Naval Commander at Havana, Admiral hacampo
had intended 10 make an imposing navs
demonstration before New-York, and had ordered
number of his most formidable men-Of-war TO sal
from the harbor of Havana TO the harbor OF New
York, there to lie till our Government took action
in the matter of the Spanish CaEOmnds, whose TO
lease is now demanded. But the gathering Of
American war-ships, at places much nearer Havans
than New-York, has induced Admiral Malcampo Ia
reconsider his order dispatchng Spanish fleet 10
the latter place. aud it is now probable that not
more than one. or perhaps two, Spanish naval yes
sells will take up position the Pizarro. which
flies the Spanish flag of the Battery. II had also
been announced that tho Admiral would come 10
NewYork in person to supervise the release of the
gunboats which were built under his instructions.
as given through Capt. Arragon but it is now UNI
derstood that he will be detained in Havana and
will there be ready TO give welcome to Admiral
Porter in case he should stop ut that port bis way
to San Domingo.
The Spanish Minister here has not yet confirmed
the rumor that he would demand his passports in
case our Government refused TO release the Spanish
gunboats; but letter has been received from q we'll
informed source In Madrid which conveys the inte-
gence that he has been instructed 10 do Unhap-
ply it is impossible for q newspaper correspondents
TO interview Senior Roberts this subject, and tho
attaches of his Legation have failed thus far, TO
report the facts at these headquarters.
THE GUNBOATs-MPORTANT DECLARATIONS or
THE SPANISH CONsUL-NAyAL MOVEMENTS
ADMIRAL PORTER.
All was quiet along the line OF the CaHonerns on
Thursday night. Yesterday morning about i0o'cock,
Deputy Marshal Winslow had q short conference
with Commander Harmon, who informed him that
the naual vessels now lying In the river were pos
sessed Of the private signals used by the old watch.
and would, If required cooperate with the Marshals
force when the signals made. These precau-
tonary measures are right but there really exists
probability that ever q blue light will be burned or
a rocket sent up. The Marshal made a request that
a person c0nversant with naval ordnance be de-
tached TO the NJ. Kalbheisch 10 work the gun IL re-
CURED which was granted by Admiral Godon.
Everything about the Thrtecnth-st. dock went on
in its usual quiet way, and the work the gun
boats is being carried on with some vigor.
Yesterday noon our reporter called upon the Span
ish Consul, Sr. Don Cortes This gentleman was
overcrowded with official business. sending of dis
patches to Washington. and giving directions to a
large clerical force sitting IN front Of him. His re-
81 axfr noltt hnf ha
did not appear 10 desire to enter into any
ton concerning the gunboat affair He said that tho
Spanish Government had appropriated 100000 for
the purpose of building six corvettes at New
York. corresponding IN build to the Severn class but
il was doubtful IL they would ever be built here
the u. 5. Govern ment had treated them 80 badly.
ST. Cortes said the Spanish Government did NOT o'e~
he 30 gnnJodts-ey uere The property Of Nr. DeldHdter
though it was true money had been paid him. ~
The s. Government eRdodrorcd 10 prerent them from
going 10 Cuba direct, and Iresc them on Mr.. Dedmats
hands therefore Englishmen who stood ready 70 buy the.
and who ,roud undoubtedly sell them direct 10 The SpdH
ards. In regard To the coming of Spanish fleet To
this port he said the ships came here with two OBJ
jects in view First if the United States bad not in
tcrfered some of them would have brought crews.
&C. for the boats, while others would have remained
here for repairs Second il President Grant desires
To favor a few hundred Cubans and accord 10 them
begerent rights rather than continue in the friend
ship and in peace with over 100000 Spanish sub
jects then the Spanish Minister would demand his
passports and come on here and embark in one OK
the naval vessels and return 10 Spain. The coming
of Spanish fleet To this port meant no insult TO our
nation but as the American Government bad taken 80
many precautionary measures IT was but proper that
his Government should do likewise. While the Con-
sui was very pleasant, he evidently felt very
sore on the question. and was puzzled how TO answer
or eyade the direct questions of The TRIBUNE Re-
porter Several questions which were put To him he
could not give any direct answers to- He does not
nv any means agree with FL Cronistas views Of the
situation and its methods Of settling the pending
difficulties The Consul is wary, and on the alert for
ANYTHING of interest no doubt but there was no in
dications Of spy system about the ofice-which by
the way has been enlarged and redecorated since his
arrival in this country. II the Spanish official repre-
sentatives are thinking of leaving the country 10
might be regarded useless to go TO the expense OK
fitting up or decorating Offices
| The Nayy-Yard officials are busy in q quiet way
All the tugs are being coaled. The Maria Is to be
| sent-so it is sad-to Portsmouth, with draft OF
men for vessels fitting out there. The torpedo boat
peer w w Wood. u. 5. ~, is being looked into, and
can il required, be put atoat in few hours Al VIII
he day or two before any special developments can
! lie made The Navy Department are ~ busy that ~
il possible that Admiral Porter Will not he able To go
away AS intended. The Frolic will shift her moor
| ings soon.
WHAT THE LAWYERS ARE DOING.
So far us public legal proceedings are concerned,
nothing was done yesterday in the Of the Span
sh gunboats but the private preparations for secur
ing their release were prosecuted with great activity
and secrecy The only open action consisted Ia the
notification tn District.AttOrney Pierrepont as re-
! oured by law, of the fact that demand for the
,lnse of the gnnhnats will speedily DO filed by the