The New York herald., 1873-11-26

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andrall the paraphernalia for keeping the vessels
III, complete order, similar TO what England did
during the Crimean war.
The heavy iron clad Roanoke. now fitting out
at New York, was assigned TO the harbor
defence OF that city. The Dictator to
Key West and the plans OF the deck or the Colorado
ordered TO be changed so as to allow an increase
| OF armament of IL inch guns.
| Secretary Robson at nine O'Clock took the train
for Philadelphia, where he personally directed
! the work TO be done on the iron
clads at League Island, and tomorrow will
reach Brooklyn TO inspect the work already fin
ished and give sucn orders as in his judgment may
be necessary.
| To-day kilograms were sent to the commandants
| at Portsmouth, Boston, Norfolk, Pensacola and
Mare Island, directing them 10 hasten with the
utmost despatch the work already assigned them.
| In the War Department the Engineer Bureau
was engaged in preparing plans for the placing OF
torpedoes for all the harbor defences OF the coast
| When the news received at the Navy De-
partment that the British government had actn-
ally ordered her largest and most ef1cient YES
sells in the North American squadron to proceed
at once to Cuban waters, there was no mistaking
the feeling which found expression in such terms
as 'That Is the best news yet y England is always
ready for whatever may happen; !" "She keeps
first class iron-clad in the most remote waters;"
III the British government has done this it means
that our sluggish government will receive a lesson
| not soon forgotten
While the news being discussed subordi-
| nate naval officer remarked that the newspapers
| insisted that everything was pacific IL should
say that everything was Atlantic" said vener-
able onicer, as he brushed away the dust from the
covers OF copy OF the "British Admiralty Navy
List" The list was quickly scanned for the
name OF the Royal Alfred, the flagship Of the
North American and West India squadron. She is
armor plated, of 4,o6s tons, and 800 horse power,
1 commanded by Captain Henry F. Nicholson and
bears the broad pennant of Vice Admiral Edward E.
Fanshawe. The Danae, which has already arrived at
Santiago to carry out the order OF the British gov
ernment is OF 1887 tons. carrying six guns, and the
WoOdark OF 663 and three guns, is also there.
The Belerophon, now on her way to
| Cuba, to eventually relieve the Royal
Albert, Is an armor-plated ship carrying
Is guns, and commanded by Captain r. Wells, and
will be the nagship OF Rear Admiral Wellesley.
On arriving at Bermuda she will also be
assigned for duty in Cuban waters until the
present troubles are over. The same prepara-
| tions being made under orders from the British
government that are now being carried out by our
government.
This information, which has already reached
Madrid. was undoubtedly the cause OF the volumi-
nous dispatches which were received last night
and to-day at the Spanish Legation and
the State Department. The British Legation
also received very long cable kilograms, the pur-
port Of which, it is said relate to instructions to
the British Minister respecting the virgnius
matter.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT
was aglow with excitement The Secretary was
evidently very much concerned at the news
received both from S!ckles and our Minister in
London. The salvatlon of the Spanish Re-
public depended upon one man, and that
peaceful settlement OF the pending questions The
buzz Of curiosity pervaded the whole building
The clerks went about the building as though the
head Of the department was in dying condition
Conversation carried on in a low voice for fear
the anxiety which could not be kept from the face
might be douby told in their words and the out
side world would learn Of the serious state OF
affairs which really existed Ink in this emergency
was OF no avail. The Secretary proceeded to the
White House to attend
THE MOST IMPORTANT CABINET MEETING EVER HELD
UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATIONS,
the result which Will appear in the Presidents
message, for there is now no hope of matters
mending before the meeting OF Congress-
The War Feeling Revived Owing to
the Rumored Fall of the Castelar,
Administration - Naval Preparations
the Fullest scale-Great Britain
Will Demand the Release OF Her
Subjects and Indemnity for the
Families OF the Murdered Nine.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 1873.
The war feeling has revived to-day. For a day or
two everything has been comparatively quiet.
The industrious rumor-maker has slept upon his
pen. Everybody who had anything to say on the
subject ventured the opinion that there would be
no war. This opinion was given in languid,
weary way, as If the subject under discussion had
forever lost It's interest Last night came news
that changed all this. Information was received
by the government that the Republic Of CASTELAR,
was on the verge Of downfall; that there was q
conspiracy on the part OF the monarchists over
throw the Republic and secure the accession OF
representative OF royalty. This has again brought
up the old war feeling.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT STILL ACTIVE.
At the Navy Department to-day there has been
the greatest possible activity. Upon receipt OF the
news last night, secretary Robson left for Phil
adelpha, where he is personally inspecting the
work. Thence ne will 60 to New York for the same
purpose. The present attitude OF the Navy Depart
ment indicates that the government is redoubling
its preparations for war, from which 1t may be in.
ferred that hostities more imminent to-day