The New York herald., 1873-11-15

years OF Cuban war, frequent, prolonged, anxious
and unreserved, and that, while both have
held and expressed opinions Of their own
and have not always agreed on matters OF
detail In coming together, they have never
parted except in harmony upon what was to
be done as the consequence OF the meeting, and
that nothing has been done that did not have his
entire approval as the proper thing to do, time
and circumstances considered. Mr.. Fish, the
President thinks has suffered like himself from
careful abstinence from TOO free expression OF
his personal views, and believes he finds the
ing done his best and striven honestly In
doing 1t. His personal obligations to his
Secretary Of State are great, and he has
no doubt the country will do him justice
THE NAVAL MUSTER.
When the Ossipee completes her stores she will
sail for Hampton Roads to await further orders.
Her torpedoes should have been on board nearly
week ago. and had the orders OF the Navy De-
partmment been carried out she would have been
near Santiago de Cuba to-day. The Powhatan viii
proceed to Philadelphia, to finish her cargo
OF war material and await further instructions.
The Juniata is ready for sea and may receive
orders at any moment
In other matters the Navy Department is equally
energetic.
CHARTS FOR THE FLEET.
The photographic once was called upon to-day
to prepare full set OF charts for the vessels TO be
added to the North Atlantic squadron.
ON DECK.
Paymasters have been ordered to active duty
who thought themselves comfortably housed In
Washington lor the winter.
PLANS OF OPERATION
But the most significant OF all that has yet been
done is the examination OF the charts OF the sew
eral important harbors on the coast OF Cuba and
what the navy would have to encounter in the
event OF hostilities. The entrance the harbor OF
Santiago de Cuba, not more than quarter OF
mile wide and commanded by two fortresses, did
not look inviting The entrance to the harbOr Of
Havana is better protected.
READING UP THE ENEMY.
There was also an overhauling OF the records OF
the Navy Department, giving description Of the
vessels OF the Spanish navy in Cuban waters but
nothing could be found respecting the Tornado.
CALCULATING THE CHANCES.
One might suppose from all this that there is an
anticipation OF mischief 1t would seem so to
those whO know the dull routine Of the Navy De-
partment IN times OF profound peace. Then there is
doubt about the superiority of our naval vessels
over those OF the Spanish navy, or even of their
equality, while the advocates of new ships say
there Is not vessel in our service 1T to compete
with Spanish man -ofwar; "but what do all these
preparations mean" ask the quakers, 'lf it does
not mean business2 .What use OF this
concentration OF the navy in Cuban watersS"
The answer to this was given to-day by a we'll
known naval officer. Supposing the Madrid gov
ernmcnt should fail to have it's orders obeyed and
the present Ministry should be suddenly changed
and one hostile to the United States, or rather one
not disposed to deal with us in friendly manner,
should succeed while this matter of the virginius
IS pending, do you not see what humili-
ating attitude the United States would be
in with nothing more potent than the
goose quill OF the Secretary OF State
to defend us9 And sudden change in the senti-
ment Of the Spaniards at home would not be more
surprising than the abdicaton of King Amadeus.
Such change would only embolden the Spaniards
in Cuba, and that is why the government has re-
solved not to be wholly unprepared. If the Cas-
telar government can satisfy the United States OF
their ability to enforce Its orders we certainly
would have no cause TO complain.
But do not believe they can do this. The Span
ish rule in Cuba to-day does more to support the
Carst movement In Spain than the Cuban exles
in this country do to sustain the insurrection on
the island. The Casino Espaaol knows the home
faithful followers. So all the paper protests OF the
Secretary OF State will have about as much effect
on the Cuban butchers as so many spit balls.
HAVE WE PoLICY9
do not mean this disrespectfully; for know
that paper wads are all that the State Department
dare aim at anybody. Nor do l say That it would
be just to preciptate hostile feeling by aggres-
sve policy. What do say is, that it is the duty OF
the President to invest every harbor OF Cuba with
such vessels can be had at home or
spared from the foreign stations until this
everlasting cause of complaint on the island is
removed and the United States assume temporary
jurisdiction until the defiant spirit OF the volun-
teers is subdued the good will of the Spanish
government Notwithstanding.
RETROSPECT.
Our foreign correspondence with Spain for the
last four years has been brmming full OF good
will, and to discredit be it said
that the heart Of the Secretary OF State
has been literally bleeding heart, on account OF
the atrocities committed in Cuba against the in
surgents. Were it not that have confidence in
the President and faith In the patriotism OF Con-
gress should expect to read in 1874, in the
diplomatic correspondence, precisely what may
be found in the preceding documents on our
lations with Spain.
Important Discussions in the Cabinet
Session-Horror and Indignation of
the Heads of Departments.
The session of the Cabinet to-day continued over
two hours and was the most imrprtant which has
taken place under President Grants admins
tration. The capture OF the Virginius
and the shocking barbarties perpetrated
by the Spanish authorities at Santiago
de Cuba formed the subject of serious
consideration, and definite action toward main
tanning the dignity Of the United States in the ex-
listing complications was taken. While all the men,
bers OF the Cabinet are extremely reticent as to
the of the conclusion reached to-day it may
be said that the administration is thoroughly in
accord with the sentiment OF the people Of the
country, ana the course of the authorities will be
heartily approved.