New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-05
PUBLIC FEELING IN HAVANA.

DRILLING SOLDIERS AND MOUNTING GUNS
BURRIEL MADE 4 FIELD MARSHALL STRICT
CENSORSHIP OF TELEGBAMs-MoRE PAPER
MONEY TO DE 1SsUED-EXCITEMENT CREATED
BY REPORTS OF A FRIENDLY SETTLEMENT.
lTRoA SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT TRIBUNE
HAVANA, Nov 29.-Tho situation in this city is
still unchanged as the people are awaiting the as
sembling of Congress and the Presidents mes
sage. Much speculation is INDUCED in to
the course which President Grant will
probably recommend, and the consideration
which Congress will give to his views
in the matter of the seizure of the Virgnus. Should
these recommendations be hostile to the interests of
the Spanish party i'll Cuba, it may cause more
trouble to the American residents on the island, and
especially TO those in Havana. While the better
class of the Spanish politicians here have seen the
evil effect of these gross attacks upon people and
property in peaceful sections of the island and
would often Tepress them if they had the power yet
when the Volunteers seized with a sudden
frenzy, they throw off the control of their leaders
and commit excesses which disgrace the record of
the Spanish Government. These attacks are not al
ways premeditated. Some incident of particularly
obnoxious partisan or political character arouses
Immediately popular agitation, which is
soon communicated from one end of the
city TO the other Groups collect defamation of
attracted and soon the Volunteers have possession of
the city. When this is the case the more peaceful
residents retire within their houses, which are like
small Notifications, and, whether Spanish. Cuban,
or American do not venture out until the excitement
has subsidized. Now while the Americans not made
the subjects of violent even threatening demon
STATIONS at the present time yet there is strong
undercurTent OF feeling against them, and 1t would
require very little pr0vOcaion TO intensity the feel
ing to one of excited and deadly animosity among
those who, in matters of vengeance, are accustomed
TO act first and think aftcrward. There is a great
desire on the part of the officials however to prevent
any unhealthy excitement it impairs the useful
ness of their forces and destroys for the time being
their own authority.
ACTIVE PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
Pending the deliberations of the Nirginius com
plications however, the military authorities are
pushing their work of defense rapidly possible.
There is great activity III the Navy-Yard and
arsenals, and the heavier guns heretofore unused
are being moved to points where il is thought they
will be most needed. On the streets there is great
showing of regulars and volunteers, and in the
evening the squares in the vicinity of the Casino
are peopled with squads of men going through mil
itary evolutions They are in every stage of train
ing ranging from the recruit, who is just learn
ing the gOose-step" to the finished soldier, who is
ready to take his place at the front.
The Minister of UltTamar, or. as he is termed IN
English the Minister of Colonial Affairs is still be-
ing entertained, and continues to study the Cuban
question. under the tutelage of the principal MEM
beers of the Casino HIS release of the embargoed
sequesrated estates of American and other foreign
citizens has not been well received by the Conserva
tive party who have been enjoying the revenues
therefrom; and at the serenade which was rendered
II e.. L.
probation were made by the volunteers who were
serenading him. in their conversation with each
other Whether the Government will be able to en-
force this decree respecting the enlarged estates
is still matter OF doubt There is
a large number of persons who
have been working the estates and deriving hand
some incomes from them They viii not relinquish
them without struggle, and. many of them are
members of the Casino with influential connections,
they may possibly succeed in preventing the resto
ration of the estates to their nghtful owners
BURRIEL MADE A FIELD MARSHAL.
Affairs at Santiago are reported to be still I'M
changed. The British and American war vessels
Woodlark and Wyoming are cruising In the vicinity
of the harbOr and have by their presence increased
considerably the comfort of the fore residents at
that place. Gen. Burriel has been made Field Mar
shall and If is understood that he will probably re-
turn to Spain within few days. There have been
rumors that he was going home i'll disgrace, to be
tried by court Of inquiry for the execution OF the
Vrginius prisoners, but his promotion would not
seem to indicate any such condition of affairs The
rmors unfavorlble TO him grow of the fact that
he has been serenaded and feased on his way from
Santiago to Havana but that here he has had no
public reception. although he has been in the city
some days. 1t is further said that he is not i'll favor
with the Minister of Ultramar, who has publicly
manifested his GOODNESS toward him.
Wall-st was never more prolific of stock iobbing
rumOTs than Havana is OF TunOTs OF startling pollt-
cal events. No Is safe from them, from the ru-
lers of nations down TO the humblest members of
society Within the past few days we have had
reports of the ASSASSINATION OF President CASTELAR,,
and of the dragging of Minister Sickles through the
streets of Madrid. Again, il is rumored that the
Spanish artillery force III SPAN has revolted
against the Republic and declared III favor of Don
Carlos Yesterday il was reported that the Ameri-
can fleet were about to enter the hartor OF Havana.
though for what purpose the rumor-m0ngers did not
state These reports, although more than 10 times
out of 20 proved groundess create disturbed feel
ing and an endless amount of work for the American
correspondents. who run them down only to find
that there is nothing in them.
A great question which is agitatng tine island is
that of the abolition of slavery, The aristocracy
have ought this reform bitterly whenever presented
hut despite all their efforts II has made great head
way and before long, it is hoped, will be an accom-
plished fact Those who derive their wealth from
negro labor have now so far descended from their
positon as to ask for an extension OF the sys-
tenn of servitude for additional term of ID years,
instead of opposing any modification in the condi-
ton of the slave formerly Should this be granted
il will probably be on condition that the owners
shall pay to the Government 500 for each slave in
dfanlt thereof the slave be declared free. While