The New York herald., 1871-12-14
Excitement at the White House
and in Cabinet Circles.
The Spanish Government Alarmed and
Have Despatched a Special Mes
senger to Washington.
WAR WITH SPAIN NOT IMPROBABLE.
Important Debate Expected
I'm the House To-Day.

Arraignment. of the Administra-
tion's Policy Toward Cuba
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1871.
Alaxning Complications with Spain In Consc-
Suenco Of Cuban Affairs, and Their Recent
Action Relative to the Geneva Conference
Outspoken Threats Of War.
), Il 10 now generally understood In the highest
legal circles that the Geneva Conference will be
failure and that the administration was completely
outwtted on that part Of the Treaty Of Washington
which provides for the appointment Of arbitrators
with the exception Of Mr. Adams and. perhaps, Mr.
staemne, all the men who compose the Board OF Arb
tration are opposed to republican Institutions Two
out Of the nve belong to the fallen and degenerate
Latin race ana 1t is not believed possible that they
can be induced to make fair and honorable award.
For some time It has been whispered about that
Spain was interesting herself in the results Of the
Conference, ana that Great Britain would use the
escape Of the Hornet, Florida, Virginia, Upton and
Lillian from American ports to assist the insurrec-
uonary Cubans, as an argument against allowing
any damages whatever for the depredatlons Of the
Alabama; but 1t was not till within day or TWO
that the matter assumed such form that the situa.
tion became Ineligible In another day one of the
yet been made public in regard to the washington
Treaty, and the often reported and as often denied
complications with Spain, viii have been scat.
tered broadcast over the country; for 1t
d the intention to ventilate the whole subject
In the House of Representatives when the
the Geneva Conference comes up In Committee OF
mo whole, to which IL was yesterday referred.
General Banks acting In the Cuban interest,
~ well as doing his duty AZ an American Repre-
sentative Is pressing immediate action, ana Mr..
Cox, OF New YORK. win taKe the leadership OF the
other side Of the House. but In reality on the same
siae OF the question.
The attack will be the fercest one yet made upon
the administration and tie result cannot fail to be
. complete overthrow Of President Grant, For two
or three days the terror at the White House has
been frghtul and the earnest friends Of the Presl-
resentment ar the republican Senators who were
instrumental In keeping Secretary Fish in
the Cabinet. Seeing the danger Of his own
defeat looming up in the blackest colors,
the President is anxious to cover the
retreat on the Alabama question BY o change OF
policy with regard to cuba and declaration Of war
against Spain. This is the meaning OF the alarm in
Madrid and tine secret Of the despatching Of q
special messenger to the Spanish Minister at Wash
iugton II also accounts for the extensive military
action Of Count vamaseda in garrisoning the forts
at Havana with regular soldiers, instead Of the
bridled volunteers But perhaps the most remark.
able feature Of the whole case the anxiety OF the
administration to get RID Of Fish. He Is the man
who did most Of the dining with the Joint High
Commissioners, and he s to be Grants morsel to
whale on the public fury. Fish to the
whale viii certainly be very good, and the
way Babcock and the other chaps who stand round
ne Presidential chair are working to cast him out
y rcfrsshins ana Senator Wilson comes in for
great share Of the abuse. The rood.natured old
fellow has been trying to sit on sboth sides OF the
fence'--to keep in with Grant and yet obey the
behests Of Gunner. But for once no not only put
mis- foot into the pie, but very big foot ct that
The administration is more embarrassed by Fshs
remaining in the Cabinet even than BY the terrible
state Of affairs at Geneva. He is the man OF brains
and culture In what the President calls his sta but
shs Dig dinners y his nuctuating policy in regard
% Cuba have ruined him. A more unfortunate man
cannot be found. He maddened the friends Of Cuban
independence by refusing to countenance the insur-
sectlon In Cuba, and at the same time made Spain
turn against him through insufficient vigilance In
guarding against secret expeditions. He extorted
me admiration Of his countrymen by the wonderful
diplomacy displayed IN the Treaty Of Washington,
giving the enemies OF his country opportunity to
Ascide against him on arguments furnished BY his
swn administration Of the Department Of State
bas tho conduct or the administration is most un.
faA. Evcrybody who knows anything about the
WhAts House n aware that the Cabinet onicers are
nero puppets In Grants hands. and the Sphinx
does all the taking in the Cabines coun-
cils. Nj. risn was long the figure
bead ofthe prowtof Grants snip OF state; but now
~ is . mermaid, coming up out Of the sea to
ighten the sailors just before the storm Il "a no
~osder, then, that BaDcock 10 unusually busy. that
Horace Porter looks both wias and fierce, and that
General Dent assumes again his marlal aspect,
We aro 70 have war with spain, 70 wrsss the An.
slIes ffom the grasp Of snS spauiard and to make
ne American psoDls pg in DiaQa and treasure Tor ]