The New York herald., 1873-11-19
THE NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.


Cabinet Meeting. But Nothing New
Views of Prominent Naval Officers on
the Respective Merits OF the Spanish
and United states Nayics-spain said
To BE in n COnciliatOry Mood.
WASHINGTON, Nov. Is, 1873
1t was generally believed the Cabinet session to-
day would have additional information OF an Off
cia character from either Minister Sickes or Con-
sui General Hall, relative to the recent outrages
at Santiago de Cuba. but there was nothing to
engagr the attention OF the meeting further than
has already been made public A feature OF the
conversation to-day at the session was the exist
ing activity in naval matters. There is general
satisfaction with the promptitude OF naval officers
and employees generally in responding to the orders
OF the department. to the end that the service shall
soon be IN state Of efficiency.
OPINIONS or NAVAL OFFICERS.
Naval officers have been approached relative to
the comparative strength of the Spanish and
American navles. While u maority OF them
know, from reports which for some years past
have been officially sent to the department. the
formidable character OF the Spanish war ships
generally, they have no fear from that fact. Even
should war result, it would not be, excepting so
far the island of Cuba is concerned, war of in
vasion on our part and the naval warfare would
HOJ Dc Oh tne HIGH sedS, DuJ cOHuHcu 10 Lue
Cuban coast and to ports oil the United
States which many prominent officials here
think would be thoroughly protected by
iron-clad monitors and torpedo distractions.
Old naval officers who have seen some active SER
vice on our irOn-clads, even before they were
brought to the present state OF efficiency declare,
without hesitation, that one OF our monitors could
sink Spanish man-ol-war in close contest in q
few minutes. Our monitors having but little hull
visiole-only Is inches above the water hne-are
practically nvulnerable and even the part exposed
could be still further protected il deemed neces-
sary by means OF lenders. Spanard could OF
course decline fight by running away from the
monitor, and the latter not being constructed for
speed could not make q successful pursuit, but
alter the action should be commenced and the two
vessels be in close quarters our monitor would
soon disable its opponent The Spanish war
steamers, which are represented to be OF such q
formidable character, are plated with iron to the
extent of four inches thick, but within 1000
yards OF monitor this would be considered
OF little Importance in the face OF one
of our powerful 15-inch guns, in which
are used from so to 100 pounds OF powder at q
single discharge The Spanish iron-clads being
constructed after the model OF ordinary vessels,
present large hull above the water line, afford
ing fine marks for our gunners The most vulner-
able point about monitor Is the turret, which
may be prevented from revolving by an enemys
shot, but great care has been exercised to perfect
them In this respect Even should the turret be
disabled the guns could be directed by means OF
the helm. Though this latter course would occa-
sion some inconvenience it would not de-
stroy the effectiveness OF the monitor. Again,
it has been said tnat American ships
are deficient in heavy rhed ordnance, and that
every foreign fighting ship is armed with guns OF
that class; but officers Of experience express the
opinion that the employment of ri1ed ordnance on
armed ships IN preference to smoothbores Is an
anomaly If not a grave error. vessel OF war
should be constructed to resist shot and shell at
the shortest distance, and they argue that rined
piece is inferior to smoothbore at very short
range, say 500 or 1000 yards. Generally the smooth
bore is just effective at distances from
1000 to 1000 yards; or, as old naval
officer who commanded monitor during the war
expressed it, "When have got the work to do
within 1000 yards l don't want any rined ord
nance" The question as to the sea-golng qualities
OF monitors being next referred to, it was stated
by one OF the most prominent officers Of the navy
that they so to with perfect safety; but
they should always have another vessel
with them, for the reason that the COM
passes on monitor, on account of the
great mass of surrounding iron, work sluggishly
dispensabe for them TO steer by especially at
night; otherwise they are perfectly safe at sea.
KEY WEST TO BE DEPOT FOR SUPPLIES.
Key West is to be made the grand depot OF sup
pies for the North Atlantic fleet, and full Pay
master, Ambrose ]. Clark, has been ordered to
duty there, with an assistant paymaster.
SPAIN EARNEST FOR PEACE.
Information received from Madrid shows that
the Spanish government is In earnest In its pro-
fessions Of friendship for the United States, and
expresses anxiety to do everything IN its power not
only to preserve but TO strengthen the peaceful
relations now existing between the two countries.
Apart from commercial relations spain desires
the moral support of the United States its effort
to permanently establish republican govern
ment in that country, and hence the report
received here gains credit that orders have been
Issued by the Spanish Admiralty to spanish naval
officers In the west Indies 70 observe the utmost
caution in their movements towards vessels carry.
ing the United States dag, and TO do no act that
would have the effect OF adding TO the present ex-
element in the United states growing out oil the
late unhappy occurrences at santiago dc Cuba.
FACT OF 1870.
The capture of the virginius recalls in Official
and other circles the fact that during the session OF
1870 the Senate called upon the President to furnish
all information in the possession of the government
showing whether, during the nost1nties III Cuoa'
any American had been executed without proper
trial. or any American vessels had been seized upon
tie high seas, or the property Of any American
citizens had been confscated or embargoed, &c.
The Presidents reply embraces $50 printed pages
OF correspondence and statements, showing
among other things, that the Mary Powell aud the
Aspinwau we're not only seized by Spanish
cruisers, but turned over to the Cuban
prize court for adjudication. The Champion also
had been seized and detained at Santiago de
Cuba, a place where the protection Afforded to the
lives and interests OF American citizens was very
inadequate. These Incidents, remarked General
siekles to the spanish Minister Of State. had
caused most painful impression, end that no hsa