Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-11-25
PEACE PROSPECTS BRIGHTEN.
But War Preparations Coutiuue.

news oy mail hnd telegrsph. showing that the
probabilities of hostilities with Spain on account
OF the Virginius affair are lessening:
DISCLAIMER PROM MINIsrEE sICKLEs.
The agent Of the Associated Press In London
is authorized by Minister Sickles 20 say that
there is no foundation for the report published
in New York on the 2lst. 10 the eject that he
(Sickles) had broken OF social relations with
the foreign minister, and that he expressed the
opinion that war was inevitable. The agent Is
authorized 20 state that there Is no foundation
whatever for the dispatch; that the official and
personal relations between Minister Sickles and
the Spanish officials are unchanged, aud that
Mr.. Sickes has not expressed any opinion As 10
the result of the pending question.
A COMPLAINT AND A PROMISE.
The Spanish press complain that the enemies
OF Spain telegraph false news to the United
President CASTELAR, has received a dispatch
from Captain General JOyellar, assuring the
home government that the authority OF the re
public will be obeyed in cuba.
THE RMBARGOED ESTATES IN CUBA.
lntol nation has been received by the govern
ment that the Official Gazette, at Havana
printed yesterday the decree of the Span
ish government releasing the enlarged
estates OF American citizens in Cuba. A. soon
as the circumstances will permit the estates will
be turned over to their owners. 1t will be re
membered that this decree wa&sSued several
months ago by the Madrid government and
that the Cuban authorities have until now paid
no heed thereto. Senior SOler Y Pla, Spanish
minister of colonies, arrived in Havana last
wee X, and proceeded Immediately to assert his
authority as the representative of the Madrid
government.
ENTER JOHN BULLS GUNBoATs-EXlT BU rCHgR
BURRIEL.
The British gunbOat woOdlark arrived at
Santiago de Cuba on the 18th, and ON the fol
lowing day the ship-of-war Dsnae, with Com.
modOre De HoTsey, senior officer at Jamaica
on board, arrived from Port Royal General
Burriel embarked on the steamer Trinidad
for Havana, before Commodore DE Hosey came
ashore.
THE TRENT AFFAIR AND THE vIRGINIUs car
TURF.
The London Daily Telegraph compares the
Nirginius with the Trent affair. Although IL
fears that the rumored ultimatum of the Amsri-
can government will be fatal to peace, stil It
thinks President CASTELAR,, in view of the inter
nal troubles Of Spain, could honorably follow
the example Of President Lincoln, and grant
the demands OF the United States.
CHANGES Al THE NAVAL ACADEMY.
As a result OF the impending difficulty grow
ing out of the Nirginius affair, the board con
yened at the Academy for the examination OF
passed midshipmen preparatory to promotion
20 the grade OF ensign, has been changed, and
some OF its cOmponents been detached from
that duty and ordered to the command of yes
sells now lifting out for the Cuban waters, and
the substitution for them OF members of the
Academic staff. Another result will probably
be the revocation Of the orders of the depart
ment for the examination Of the graduate
class of ISL, and thus virtually deter their pro-
motion.
INSPECTION OF THE TONAwANDA.
The monitor Tonawanda, which has been
lying OF the Naval Academy for three OF four
years, and used as powder magazine, was in
spected on Saturday for the purpose of aScer-
tanning her sea capabilities. She was sent to
Annapolis Tor the use 70 which she has been
adapted, because of her unfitness for anything
in the war line tut harbOr defence. as when she
is fully tonnaged her main deck is thirteen in
ches under water.
HEAVY NAVAL CONTRACTS AWARDED.
John Beach, OF Chester, Pennsylvania, YES
terday received 4 contract FOR building the en-
gines and machinery for the new slOOp of war az
the BrOOklVn ward. He the
bidder, at $3.50 900. The Navy department has
lately given a contract to Mr.. Cramps of Phila-
delphia, TO repair the irOn-clai Nantucket. also
TO the Harlan and HOliingsworth company, a,
Wilmington, Delaware, for the repair Of the
Lehigh, and to John Roach for the repair OF ths
PasSaic and the Jason. Roach has contracts To-
two new sOops Of war at $3.50 900; engines and
machinery for the Tennessee, 800, O0E repair uf
the four monitors, P2ssaic, Jason. WyandDtte,
and Nah 5 IT. $50 o9o; engines for the torpedo
boat, S20,OOO or S5OO,OU0, two engines. lie has
out of IS .2C0, 600 appropriated Tor new slOOps o.
war, contracts tothe amount OF SS9j.o)O.
CON FiDESCE IN The ADMINISTRATION.
The New York republican central committee
last night adopted resolutions: That We reiy
with entire confidence upon the wisdom aad
patriotism of the administration aud max
ing power OF the country TO take such action
may be necessary 70 vindicate the honor of the
nation consistent with the obligations of the
government in the best interests OF the whole
people" sc.
NO FAITH IN THE SPANISH VOLUNTEERS.
At the time OF the capture OF the VIrginius
Bembeta took on a belt containing several
thousand dollars in gold and handed it 70 the
captain of the Tornado, with request to send
il to his mother, remaTking that he had con
tdence In the naval officers Of Spain, but that
If the money fell into the hands of the army Of
fcers the chance Of its ever reaching its desti-
nation would be very slight. The money will
be sent from Cuba TO Gen. Bembetas mother,
as requested.
THE LATE CAPTAIN FRY.
The Mobile Register appeals for aid for the
widow and seven children of Capt. Fry, OF the
Nirginius, in destitute circumstances in New
Orleans. The Register speaks highly of Fry's
behavior during the war, and says that his bra
very in resisting the attack on Spanish Fort
won the admiration even OF the federals.
AFTER TWEED, HIS CoUNsKL-PrObaJls Com
BiitHeHt Of John Graham, Fullerton, Root, ami
Bartlett fer Contempt Of CONrt.-As soon as Jldge
Davis HAD concluded the sentence of Tweed, on
Saturday, counsel for Tweed gave notice that
they should move for bill Of exceptions, which
were rapidly preparing. and Judge Davis re-
piled that the session of the court would be pro