Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-11-28
PEACE OR WAR?
THE SPANISH QUESTION.
Facts and RumOH in Washington To-day.

The air is full of warlike rumors to-day, and
each story is no sooner started than it is magni-
fed into alarming proportions. The pub &c
mind is excited to painful degree, and is in
condition to hear the worst. The prevailing
in preston is that war is inevitable. 1t is mex
to impossible to gather what is too often limited
as official int diligence. All approaches to the
official circles are AS free to newspaper cores
pondents as the air they breathe, but TIN
off cial mouth is heTmetrically sealed when
the Cubs question, particularly with reference
20 the existing negotiation, is brOached. Our
statesmen look wise and throw out occasional
hints susceptible OF As many interpretations as
there are minds 10 interpret Hence one may
place a different constr ctiOn on hints thu
received from what perhaps another would
and as result, the associated press, and what is
termed the sem-Oflicial press are kept pretty
bIiskly engaged in cOntradcting the sensa-
tonal reports flashed over the wires with each
passing hour. There il absolutely no means of
asCeItaing the exact situation of affairs to-day.
FEVER HEAT LAST MIGHT.
The climax of war fever heat was reached
last night. Either with malice aforethoughto or
acting under the affect caused by one of those
off idl hints, or John BarlycOrn, some one
started the startling rumor that Minister
giuus had been scuttled in the harbor OF
Havana to prevent the vessel falling into the
hands of this government should the Spanish
authorities conclude to give her up. These
rumOrs were streDgthed by their being bull
letned at the office of adaily newspaper, and
having some smack of authenticity, were ac-
copied by many AS reliable. OF course this fame
to the already amber fuel Caused renewed ex-
citement which o-day is slowly cooling Off, as
10 CG5ial Intelligence could be obtained which
would bear il OuG.
STILL ACTIVE IN THE NAVY.
The naval orders to-day give evidence that
the Navy department is still in hustle OF
activity. An additional recI uiting rendezvous
has been established at Chicago and recruiting
officers ordered to proceed at once TO that sta
ton for that service.
HOW THE CASE NOW STANDS.
1t seems to be generally accepted that our
government has extended the time for Spain To
answer TO the formal demands made by this
government and submitted by Minister
Sicklcs. That if a satisfactory reply is not re-
ceived in time TO be submitted to the Cabinet by
Secretary Fish to-day that further negotiations
will be broken of, and the whole case failing -
yield 20 diplomacy will be referred to Congress
by the President in his annual message.
OFFICIAL SILENCE CONSTRUED AS BAD OMEN
The rumOTs which prevailed yesterday thai
Gen. Sickles had left Madrid for Paris and that
the Virginius had been scuttled, are to-day re-
peated with more peTtinacity than ever, al
though no Intelligence has been received con-
tirmirg the same. Inquiry this morning fail.
To obtain anything concerning the present state
of negotiations, and owing to the silence which
seems TO be studiously observed by gentlemen
high in position, the inference is drawn that the
prospect Is not so hopeful for a satisfactory set
tlement Of our present difficulty with Spain, AS
was several days ago anticipated, and as SO de-
clared In official circles There seems to be no
doubt that the Spanish cabinet, while friendly
TO the United States, are embarrassed bv the
political and military complications of their
country, and hence the delays attendant in an
swerlng the demands of this government. The
administration, it will thus be seen, has del
iCate subject with which to deal. The circum-
stances attending the capture of the Virginius
and the subsequent executions, and also the de-
termination to protect our flag, are questions
from which our government cannot recede.
GENERAL sHERIDAN's VISIT.
General Sheridan arrived in Washington yes
terday morning and took quarters at the Airing.
ton. He called soon after his arrival on Presi
dent Grant, and this morning, in company with
Secretary Belknap, he again had an interview
With the President, which occupied some tune.
His visit is variOusly cODjectured; but the gen
eTal impression is that The STAR was correct
in stating that he was ordered here for consul
tation on the Cuban question.
SECRETARY robson
returned from his recent visit to New York and
Philadelphia last evening, and was to-day, pre-
Vious to the meeting of the Cabinet, in consul
tati0n ~ith Tie various heads of bureaus.
THE CABINET MEETING TO-DAY.
A meeting of the Cabinet was held to-day, at
which all the members were in attendance, and
was still in session up to the hour our paper
went TO press If our ultimatum, as rumored
must be answered to-day, this session will def
nitely settle the action of the government so
far as the President and his Cabinet are con
ceTned.
A NEEDLESS BUT PATRIOTIC SAILOR.
Pay Director Cunningham. well known in
Washington, cabled the Secretary of the Navy
from Trieste, France: al offer my services to
my country" He failed to pay the tolls, which
amount to fifteen dollars, and they are to be
charged to his account
THE STATUS OF MINISTER STCzIFS
rumor has gained circulation that Secreta-
re- Fish, in negotiating with the Spanish author
tiles, deals direct with Figueras through Ad-
miIal Polo, instead of Minister Sickles, and
that all dispatches from Madrid from Figueras
ar are sent to Admiral Polo, in this city, and by
said, was rendered necessary on account of a
personal difficulty between SIckles and Figue-
ras OF long standing. 1t is also stated that
whether Sickles leaves Madrid for Paris, locks
or unlocks the doors of the American legation
negotiations will proceed as usual.
Naval Orders.
The following naval orders were issued to-
day Lieut. Commander George II. Wadleic'
to the iron-clad steamer Canoncus as execu-
tive, December LIST; Lieut.. A. b. II. Lille
Master W. f. Low, and ID Assistant Engineer
ii. +. RhOades to the iron-clad steamer Canon
icus; Lieut.. +. 7. Stavey, Masters James NJ
Ha"ley and VIM. r. Hawley. and Passed As
sistant Paymsster John f. TarbeH to the iron
teis Charles +. Norton and VIM. A. II. H adien,
and Passed Assistant Paymaster Join NcMa-
non 70 the iron-cla steamer Ajax 4th Deem
pei next Lieut.. VIM. Ii. Mayer to the receiving
snip vermont, 10Th inst; Master Samuel p
SSomoy 10 the lron-clad steamer Canonicns' Stir
re necs W neA'; Nsster D. D. V. Stuart to the
70 s,h n .er; Medical Director L. M Potter
navy-yard, Mare Island, Cal; Passed
Assistant Surgeon M. G. Drennon to recruiting
duty at Chicago, ILL.,; Chief Engineer L. j.
Jones to the Florida; LIST Assistant Engineer W.
). Smith to the navy-ysrd Washington. De-
tdohsd; Commander l.. A. Kimberly from duty
In the bureau of equipment and recruiting
3Oth inst, and ordered to command the iron clad
steamer Canonicus, Sth Dec; Commander Jos
n. Miller from the photographic Office, 3Oth
instant, snd ordered to command the iron clad
steamer Ajax, 4th December next Commander
=. a. Babcock from the storeship Supply, and
placed on waiting orders. Commander Ed E.
Potter TO command the rendezvous Chicago,
H. Lieut.. Commander VIM. O. Wise from the
navy yard, Boston, and ordered to the iron clad
steamer Ajax As executive, 9Th December
Lieut. Commander John X. Bartlett from the
navy yard, Boston, and ordered to the iron clad
steamer Terror o. executive, It'll December
next. Lieuts. +. j. Drake and Charles NJ
Thomas from the torpedo station, Newport, r.
l., and ordered to the iron clad steamer Terror
sth December next. Lieut.. VIM. j. Moore from
the torpedo station, Neport, r. l., and ordered