The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-23

The Washington correspondent OF the N. Y. Times
says IN that paper to-day
The Spanish gunboats complication will soon as
sumo new phase which will bring the matter TO q
point where It's inal and speedy disposition viii be
apparent AS has been stated heretofore In this cor
respondence. the detention OF the gunboats to the
present moment has been on an executive order OF
the Navy Department., which has kept an armed sur
yeillance over them. Without taking actual posses.
sion this action has been based on the complaint OF
the Peruvian Minister, Colonel Freyre, who alleges
that the gunboats win release other Spanish vessels
now on guard on the coast OF Cuba, and which Will
thus be enabled to proceed against Peru. This
technical custody was sufficient 80 long as the boats
TO be turned over to the Spanish authorities The
demand OF the Spanish Minister for their release
is daily expected and the case will then, without
Doubt be taken into the courts for regular pro-
ceedings under the Neutrality act Peru viii
then have an opportunity to make her complaint
good II she fails to do so the release OF the
vessels will probably follow. The Cuban question
cannot AFFECT 1t one way or the other for Cuba hav-
ing no status is not known in the matter. This,
believe is the determination Of the Government and
there seems to be no other mode Of procedure. To
lawfully condemned in regular course Of proceed
zngs under the Neutrality act; and however the re-
icof s ' to see nothing done that does not compoft
strictly with the law. Judge Pierrepont, District
Attorney has been here and II some ne o, the people
win now watch the gunboats they will probably
ind out.
To-day the civil officers OF the National Govern
kment viii take sudden and summary possession OF
go long been terror perspectiyely to patriotic
Cnbans. The vessels will be libelled in accordance
with teleeraphic instructions received by United
States District Attorney Edwards Pierrepont, yester
bay, from Washington, which are very. terse and
explicit. Early this morning writs of at
each Of che gunboats separately and colec-
lively which VIII subsequently be placed in the
'hands OF Marshal s. r. Harlow for execution Pro-
Aby before ~ O'Clock to-day the entire otilla will
be In charge Of Deputy Marshals, to whose custndy
Il win be transferred by the Brooklyn y Navy Yard
kIaDce over them during the past few weeks. 1t is
understood that this action on the part of the Gov
time, has long had the serious consideration of the
Cabinet 1t doubtless fastened by the fact that
y :the Spanish Minister, senor Roberts, recently
le demand for their release, In order to enable
bm to start on their warlike mission
On Saturday last Judge Pierrepont visited WASH
gton for the purpose OF consulting the President
regard to certain public matters connected with
Us return to this city the District Attorney received
notice from the gnnboat contractors on to the effect
Il iton within few days, the substance of which he
Communicated by telegraph to President Grant and
Secretary Fish. To this he received reply direct
ing him to libel the boats, and to submit them to
the United States Circuit Court to decide the ques-
ton whether they were designed with a view
II viii doubtless be remembered that public atten-
ton first called to the boats by the Peruvian
Minister, Colonel Frere, who made complaint
g them er warRe use as he a rep1S @
which he is representative. The imme-
diate result OF the complaint was to order
Admiral GOdon to detail United States vessels
and men to watch the suspected vessels,
and to prevent them from taking surreptitious de-
parture from this port Several of the craft on
the stocks at the time, but as fast as they were
finished they were conveyed from the various ship
1 Iron Works, at the foot OF Thirteenth street,
SNOrth river, where they were fitted out with
their machinery The armament for the formidable
hotia was despatched to Cuba in September last,
Ind 1t was hoped by the Spanish Goyermentth that the
esseS would be able to leave the Narr0ws and
kady Hook I'm their wake with as much ease as the
1lcr Euterpe, which was allowed to sail from
res as a cargo.
rhe seizure Of the boats will be sorely felt by
ain, particularly as il comes just on the eve OF
er contemplated departure for hostile service on
coast OF Cuba. 1t Is probable that the complaint
inst then will remain in Court for manylweeks, III
MONTHS before a decision Is rendered, during
CHI time the aotilla will be obliged to remain here
state OF inactivity.
the regular naval intelligence in yesterdays
ers appeared the announcement OF the arrival at
port OF Spanish steamer. 1t was very brief,
probably created no suspicion OF the object OF
vessel Ill these waters, being as follows;-"Ar-
d, Spanish war steamer Pizarro Captain Evar-
Casariega, Havana, six days. mounts six guns
has a crew of three hundred and fifty officers
men, all WELL" The steamer was here for the
0se or acting as convoy to the gunboats In case
aovernmeht did not interfere and prevent them
going tOlsea.
first convoy was to consist OF five boats, whose
~ And crew were to be obtained from among
us number on board OF the war steamer.
~ Of the thirty to be built are completed and
e got ready for sea in day and half
remains to be done TO them but to furnish
ID provisions. The remaining fifteen are
approaching completion and II is expected
whole 1otilla will be finished within seven
xyTNCEDEn