The New York herald., 1873-11-17
THE NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

Army Opinion on the Inva sion of Cuba
Can We Protect Our Coast and Land
an Army Of Volunteers on the Islan p
Probable Leaders Or *hs Expedition.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1e, 1878.
There Is nothing new in official circles concern
ing the virgnus, no kilograms having been re-
ceved from Havana by the Secretary OF State since
those mentioned in Friday evenings dispatches.
The kilograms from General Sickles since that
time merely acknowledged the receipt OF the late
instructions The conference between General
Sickles and the Spanish Minister for Foreign Az
the result will be promptly reported to Secretary
Fish by cable. No kilograms have been received
conflrmatoIy OF the executions since those OF the
eth, 7th and sth inst.
In conversations to-day with prominent officers
OF the army now in Washington the military re-
sources and condition OF the country as related to
the possibility OF war with Spain were de-
veloped. 1t Is proper to say, however, that the
probability OF such a war is not entertained by
army onncers, though the feelings OF Indignation
and resentment against the murders at Santiago
are quite as strong and pronounced as in the naval
branch OF service, and there appears TO be the
same ready disposition for war service without
actual anxiety for 1t as among naval officers
So far as conce rms the army, war with Spain,
though involving the two questions OF offensive
and defensive operations, would be much simpler
and far less momentous than war with Great
Britain, for the reason, apart from the inferior
strength OF Spain as compared to England. that
offensive operations on the part OF the Spaniards
would necessarily be confined TO naval attempts
against seaports, and our offensive projects
would all centre in an invasion oil Cuba There
would be no Canada to become the scene OF wasting
and harassing border warfare and point OF Often
sive concentration for our enemies and object of
invasion for us, nor common battle field or thea
tire OF siege operations, first for and then for
the other OF the combatants.
OUR COAST DEFENcEs.
On the question OF our defensive condition there
ID the best authority for stating that the coast
1ortncations are themselves in excellent trim.
TOT several years, as repeatedly mentioned
III these dispatches, they have been under
Rong changes necessitatcd by the changes in the
modes and means OF attack OF fortified places,
ready ior immediate service at the time OF the
complications growing out OF the execution OF the
students at Havana, especial attention being given
then and since to the dciences OF the Southern
ports. The plan adopted, after several years OF
experiment and study, and partly completed. has
been to erect powerful barbetc batteries OF earth
and sand, thoroughly protected by traverses: also
to modify and strengthen the old barbettc bat
teries to the point OF enabling them to deliver and
resist the gigantic proectiles OF the present day:
secondly, TO substitute gun carriages that protect
che guns and gunners for carriages that expose
both above the parapets; thirdly, to literally use
heavy mortars; fourthy, 10 employ torpedocs In
shc defence Of channel ways; dithly. to use OBJ
suuctions and noating batteries TO dctain hostile
vessels under the IRE OF onr guns; and, lastly to
substitute for existing ordnance the largest and
most powerful guns that can be made and used.
INC batteries We have virtually ready, The