The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-11
The Beard Of Engineers Oh the Value Of Goat
Island for Defensive Purposes.
APPROPRIATION BILLS In CONGRESS.
Five Inspecting Commissioners To Be
Appointed to Look After
Our Red Brethren.
THE COTTON TAX REFUNDING SCHEME.
Wilson'S Credit MObilier Inves-
tigating Committee.

tigating Committee.
WASHINGTON Jan. 10, 1873.
The Outrages ON the Israclitcs In ROu-
mania-Rcmonstrance OF the United
States Government-Austria and Tur-
key Asked to Interfere.
During last Summer Secretary Fish suggested to
our Minister at Vienna that II the sympathy which
We entertain for the inhumanly prosecuted
Hebrews in the principalities of Moldavia and
Wallachia were made known to Austria it might
quicken and encourage the efforts Of that govern
ment to discharge its duty as q protect
ing Power pursuant to the obligations OF the
treaty between certain European States. Mr.. Gay
subsequently informed Mr. Fish OF the result of his
Interview with the Austrian Minister for Foreign
Affairs, the latter Informing him that joint note
had been addressed to the Roumanian government
ON the treatment Of the Jews, in which Austria had
united with the other Powers, and that such an
expression Of opinion, whether on the part of
Europe or America, would be proper and would
undoubtedly have an influence; but in view
Of the actual state OF the Roumanian government
Of the attitude OF opposing parties and Of the
prejudices Of the people, which neutraized in such
cases the powers OF the government by the right Of
trial by Jury, the question Of foreign intervention
was one Of extreme delicacy, and so far from &C
c0mplshing the desired object an Intervention
might result in diminishing the ability Of the gov
eminent, and In subjecting the Israelites to in
creased prejudice and further persecution. The
Prince OF ROumania was known to be in favor
Of securing to them protection, and every effort
Of his government in that direction would be rather
sampered than assisted by foreign intervention
iOr the reason that such Intervention would give
new strength to the opposition and enable them to
raise the cry that the government administered
by foreign influence and had ceased to deserve the
confidence OF the people; and while the government
was thus thwarted in its efforts to protect the
israeltes they would be more than ever exposed to
Insult and abuse as the indirect cause Of foreign
Interference in the affairs OF the nation. Such was
the prejudice against them in parts of the country
that, as general thing juries would not convict
the perpetrators OF outrages against them, how
over clear the evidence, and when the crimes were
thus ignored by juries the government was power
less to punish At the present time 1t was the dis
position OF the government to deal justly by
the Israelites as far as they could accom-
plish 1t, and with the idea now beginning
TO prevail that the attention Of the civilized world
was aroused and that any recurrence Of Ill treat
ment Of the Israelites would be viewed with dis
pleasure and might result In foreign dificuites
here was reason to hope they would not be re-
peated, and that there would be gradual amelio-
ration Of their condition. In addition to the good
pnlces Of the United States in behalf of the Jews
our Minister to Constantinople has informed
our government that he was assured
1t the Turkish Foreign ONCE that ON the
arst remonstrance made by the Great Powers Of
Europe strong representations were made by
the Ottoman to the Roumanian government and
that all which the former could do had already
been done to prevent recurrence OF the disgrace
fuI popular outbreaks
The President on for Annapolis.
The President and family leave Washington for
Annapolis this afternoon to attend the ball at the
Naval Academy tonight.
The Goat Island Job-Rcport OF the En-.
gineers on the Propriety OF It's Re1in-
qufshment-It Should Be Held for the
Defence Of San Francisco.
The Secretary Of War yesterday transmitted to
the Senate the following letter and the papers
referred to therein, from General Humphrey and
the Board Of Engineers
SIR--In answer to The resolution OF the Senate
Of the United states calling Tor any information
relating to the expediency Of reserving the island
poses, and also relating to the efects If any upon
the harbOr OF San Francisco In approaching said
island from the mainland with railroad structures
have the honor to transmit herewith report
upon these matters by the Board OF Engineers for
Fort1cati0ns, and also report upon the same sub
for the Pacific coast together with several tracings
and maps to illustrate these reports These re-
ports substantially agree that certain portions OF
the island may be reinquished to accommodate ,be
wants OF commerce without materially mpalripo
the power OF the plan OF defence projected for that
island. After careful review OF the subject con-
cur in this conclusion. The portions Of the island
that may thus be occupied by commerce include
twentyeight acres OF the northern portion Of the
island, together with the northern, eastern and
southern portions OF the shores, reserving sufficient
space ON the eastern shore for two government
bn hav
OF San Francisco OF railroad or other structure ex-
tending from the Oakland shore to or towards
that NO material injury to the harbor or to
the channel leading to 1t will be caused by such
minimum dimensions placed in the direction of
the currents. The letter OF instructions from this
ONCE TO me TWO boards their reports in reply and
the DRAWINGS accompanying them are transmitted
herewith, the papers being numbered from one to
i've.
TIE Board OF Engineers for FortiHca,ions. headed
by General Barnard, in their report to General
Humphreys, say
We deem It indispensable for the prorer defence Of
the city and harbor of San Francisco that the
Island OF Yerba Buena should be strongly fortified
and We consider that Its joint occupation by the
government and any company or individual is very
Bat upon the suppostion that the
wants Of commerce require the construction of a
Bay to the Island OF Yerba Buena, and the occupa.
ton OF considerable portion OF the island and its
shore hne with railroad depots, wharres, piers.
warehoH uses and the appurtenances Of o large
report tist portions Hthe island may be ere re-.
inquished without materially impairIng its de-
fences. The Beard also state that the nlling in OF
Me shoal waters on the Oakland shore to the line
OF deep water would injure the harber, but that q
bridge properly built would not.
The Pacific Coast Board Of Engineers, headed by
GENERAL Alexander, say In their report to General
Humphreys that the whole Of the Yerba Buena !
Aslana should be retained by the government for
ne defence OF the harb0r and city Of San Fran |
,isco apd that the effect OF approaching the island
BY bridge OF piles or by causeway would work !
serious damage to the harb0r Of San Francisco. |
rhe Board also say II portion OF this island must
be surrendered to railroad purposes, the govern |
,f san Francisco in time or war to supposed COM |
ncrcai advantages I'M time OF peace. They further |
express their belief that II portion OF tie bland
9 TINS given up the cession will result in the |
building OF commercial town In the middle of the |
,ay, winch In time OF war might easily he set on
ire aud TINS nccessitate the abandonment OF the |
On top Of tie island and lead to the