The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-10
WASHING on.
GREAT NAVAL PREPARATIONS.
Fifteen ron-Clads To Be Put in
Sea-Coing Order at Once.
Coast Defences To BE
Heavily Armed.
MURMURS or WAR WITH SPAIN.
Withdrawal of Our Minister
e at Madrid.
ett --
A British Admiral's Tour Of
Inspection.
DEADLOCK ON THE ALABAMA TREATY.
An Elaborate Plan to Save the
Pieces for Future Use.
Amnesty Once More Killed in
the Senate.
The Goat Island Steal Strug-
Cling for LIE.
Salt, Leather and ChicOry Duties
An Elaborate Plan to Save the
Pieces for Future Use.
Amnesty Once More Killed in
the Senate.
The Goat Island Steal Strug-
Cling for LIE.
Salt, Leather and ChicOry Duties
in the House.


WASHINGTON, May 0, 1872.
Trouble with Spain Ahead-Extraorli-
nary Naval Preparations Afoot-With-
drawal Of Our Minister to spain.
At the session OF the Cabinet on Tuesday last,
while the Alabama claims were under consdera-
ton, the condition of our navy was also referred
to- The President said that he had for months past
deplored the ineficency of our coast de-
fences and regretted that he could not
do anything to strengthen them After
an interchange Of opinion, 1t was finally
decided that every iron-clad OF the navy should be
put in condition for immediate service. The Secre-
tary OF War was also instructed to make the coast
dcfences, particularly on the Southern scaboard,
az impregnable as possible. 1t is understood among
naval officers, whose opinion has been consulted,
that unless we make the best Of our meagre advan-
tages that we shall be ''caught napping.n
The administration organ here, editorally has
the following -'1t may be that it Is not expedient
to build great iron-cad ships Of at this time,
even at any time hereafter. Possibly
coasts may be defended without ships
or guns, but there is little doubt
that something must be or ought to be done pro-
tect our commerce, ports and our cities against
invasion and destruction
What can be done to put navy in a
state of efficiency is being DONE and therefore
extraordinary efforts are to be promptly made to
put the best OF the iron-clads in seagoing condi-
ton. so that In few weeks there may be not less
than fourteen ready for orders. If necessary work
will be done day and night. Three iron-clads have
been sent to the private yard OF william
Cramp 4 Son, at Philadelphia, for immedi-
ate repairs. Those at Boston, Brooklyn and
Norfolk arc being fitted out rapidly possible.
The monitors at New Orleans can with little repair
be made ready without delay. The cause OF this
activity cannot be ascertaned. The officials at the
Navy Department do not deny the preparations,
but profess ignorance as to the object of fitting
them out.
Information has reached the Navy Department
that Moro Castle, guarding the entrance to Havana
harbor is being rapidly strengthened, and that If
tcen-nch guns pointing seward now being put
in position. The order to fit out many monitors
at this time excites a suspicion that trouble is i'm
mnent with Spain.
The Committee Naval Affairs viii hold meet
ting tomorrow night to arrange their business pre-
viOus to asking the House to set aside evening
next week for the consideration OF the various bills
already prepared by them but which they have not
Among these measures is bin providing for the
construction of ten steamers as suggested by the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and apart from any
recommendations Of the Secretary OF the Navy in
Naval Afairs, but distinguished officers OF the navy,
heretofore consulted by the committee, together
with the Secretary of the Navy are fully impressed
with the necessity OF efficient navy, as our
present force is inadequate for extended service In
case Of an emergency; besides, 1t Is said among
public men that our relations with Spain are OF
such character as to suggest preparations, not
looking war; but to the protection OF the rights OF
citizens OF the United States
The United States and Spanish Claims Commits.
sion, although organized more than six months
ago have, as yet, decided no cases. there being
delays in consequence OF the difficulty in procuring
proofs. The United States having proposed that
mode of settling claims of citizens OF the United
States growing out OF the rebellion in Cuba there
can be no disagreement this point but there are
other questions, including that pertaining to DR..
Houard, which may cause further irritation and
give occasion for more determined policy towards
Spain. :" ~
instructions have been sent TO our Minister at
Madrid, by cable to London, modifying those taken
out by him. He win, on his arrival at Madrid pre
sent his letter Of recall setting forth that 1t Ia at his
own requests that he leaves the Legation in the
hands OF Mr.. Adee, the Secretary, who will be
Charge d'Afraires. Our Minister WILL In his part.
ing speech, regret that personal matters have
rendered 1t imperative upon him to sundcr the
pleasant relations existing between himself and
the Spanish government The Spanish Minister
Of Foreign Affairs will kindly recprocate the ex.
pressions OF good will, all OF which Is well under
stood here to be nothing Less than dlplomatc lying