The New York herald., 1873-11-24
TDB PENDING QUESTION
CONTINUED FROM THIRD PAGE.

CONTINUED fhUM lnIhD Anu0
ordinary decorum OF the Sabbath People went 10
church as usuaL and took their Sunday walks after
ward: but wherever men assembled, In hotels,
cIups. reading rooms or in private secusion, al
most the first question everywhere after
tne usual salutations was. "Wel, are we
going to have a war ~ And the replies
were as varied mems opinions always
are on these "tnings that no fellah can ind out"
Tne war its probable advent It's possible avert
ment lts results, its injuries, its benefits, and
especially the chances OF success In the naval
branch OF such struggle were canvassed; and
then came denunciations, with few defences or
Spain, universal condemnation OF the hasty
slaughter OF the victims and criticism, favorable
and adverse, OF our own government as the critics
happened to view the qualities OF the admnistra-
ton. AS q general thing 1t was conceded, with
little question, that the administration is in
earnest, that 1t means business This was argued
from the great activity 1t has displayed In equip
ping our naval forces, in directing the immediate
preparation Of all coast defences and the instruc-
uons issued to the armament stores and arsenals.
.The times are pretty hard, the government itself
Is little pnched, and don't think the Cabinet
would direct the instant expenditure OF millions OF
money as 1t is doing unless there was every reason
70 apprehend that they were to appeal to the very
LAST RESORT OF A NATION"
Such was tine way in which, almost universally,
the course of the government was construed.
The publication OF the full Official dispatches re-
ceived by the State Department is now awaited
with very considerable interest, and 1t Is agreed
that the actual developments Of them VIII demon
strate almost to certainty the result OF the
question which seems suspended but by q hair, the
severance Of which may be fraught with conse-
quences so grave to the nation. As
rule the people have not much faith in the reports
which have reached the city from Santiago, as thus
far they have nearly all been sent in such form
shat there is reason to believe they have been
largely Influenced by and many Of the facts given
SPANISH OFFICIAL AUTHORITY ALONE.
The correspondence concerning the assassina-
tion, published on Saturday came almost exclu-
svely from Spanish sources, or was the Spanish
version OF correspondence emanatng from Burriel
Captain Fry, Pedro Aliaro and Others, and Vice
Consul Smidt. Among Cubans the idea is repudi-
ated utterly that Alfaro and his compatriots ever
wrote the letters attributed to them, Offering to
abandon their cause and to exert themselves in
future for its suppression on condition that their
lives were spared.
Dr. Manuel GOWN who recently returned from
Jamaica, and presented $4,000 to the cause. in
speaking OF this subject said =: ~ am positive that
Alfaro never wrote such letter i knew the
young man too well could not be SO far mistaken
In him and
IwoULD BURN MY HAND OFF
In fire, If necessary, to give my assurance OF my
belief in his unfaltering fidelity"
'But, Doctor, don't you think 1t possible that In so
desperate an emerge ncy he and his friends might
have written such OFFER with the sole idea of re-
heving themselves from the terrible position in
which they were placed, and without any idea of
fulfilling the promises contained 1t would be GER
tainly excusabe; in case where their lives were
30 mperilled anything would be fair"
mo, sir: he would never be guilty OF any act OF
dupicity TO gain any purpose-even to save his
lie. No, sir These letters are forged by the Span
iards to degrade these young patriots in their
TO LEAVE no IDEALS
whose examples shall be worthy TO stimulate
other young Cubans to heroism and devotioc in
the cause OF their country's freedom. The Span
dIents, and this is one OF housekeeping to
chill the warming blood OF young patriots before
it mas reached dangerous temperature. | knew
all OF these young men too well to believe any Of
them guilty OF such an act.'
An the Cubans with whom the reporter con-
yeTsed on this subject expressed the same senti-
ments OF unbroken confidence in these young
martyrs.
ana which is addressed by Captain Fry TO Edward
q. Genet oil No. 4s Pine street, MIR. Genet states
that he has not yet received the letter and does
not now know that he ever will. as it Is in the
hands OF the Spanish authorities and they will,
doubtless, retain 1t as evidence OF the hostile de-
signs or
INTENTIONS OF CAPTAIN FRY
justifying their procedure against him. II will be
remembered that this letter suggested that Mr..
Genet should complete certain arrangements for
the manufacture and supply OF torpedeos Mr..
Genet incines to the belief that the Spaniards may
soon know from Uncle sam considerably more
about torpedoes than was even limited at In the
General Ryan, during his residence in this city,
was prominent member OF an organization known
as the Ancient Order Of Egyptian Monks,
A SINGULAR CoNCLAvR,
whose mysterious notices, published in the papers
from time to time and convening the members as
the Monastery or the Mort" " have often doubtless,
elected much curious comment. IL has been gen.
orally supposed from his connection with 1t that
its objects were in some way related to the Cuban
cause. on Saturday evening 'conventicle" OF
the Monks was called in the usual iorm, and they
assembled accordingly at the Monastery OF the
to take action In relation to the death OF their late
associate, General Ryan, who held the Office in the
Monks present, and, alter the ceremony OF open
1ng the Monastery, they held an open council in
of the Monks portraits oil Generals Ryan aud Benz
beta were suspended from the wall,
DRAPRD IN EMBIEMs OF MOURNING,
and there were also displayed numerous insignia
Of the institution, banners with cabalistlc devices
batons ol office, masks, armor, and so lorth In
the course OF the open proceedings II did not ap
pear that the order was devoted to other than
social objects, though the speakers strongly de-
trated against the nation and through which the
Monastery had lost OF its most Jealous Monks.
General RYAN and dated "Bundeli Hail, Kings
ton, jamaica October 49," was read and examined
with peculiar interest by the Monks. Ii proved
TO be letter introducing TO the Monastery for in
staliation gentleman now on visit TO this city
from jamaica and Is presumed to be one OF the
last, not the last letter written by the deceased
The Monastery decided to have the letter framed
and preserved In the closters. and pane OF glass
IN one OF the windows, which the General In a
sportive mood inscribed his name with his diamond
Ilng, Is TO be taken out and preserved also. com
mlttee OF three was appointed consisting OF the
Grand Cyclops, the Chief Abbot and the Grand
scribe TO prepare suitable resolutions, to be acted
on az convensicle ofthe Monastery on next Satur-
day evening.