The New York herald., 1873-11-15

one OF the several heads OF departments or
from the President, excepting, as men.
toned above, the admission that the de-
cision viii meet the heartiest approval OF the
American people. There Il reason to believe
that one OF the subjects accompanying the discus
sion OF the situation was that OF the Spanish man.
ofwar now undergoing repairs at New York, and
that it was remarked, In the course OF consulta-
tion, should that vessel by any possibility come
into the hands OF this government it's possession
would more than compensate Tor the loss OF the
virginus, so far as the comparative values OF the
ships are concerned.
SENDING OUT THE "sINEws OF WAR"
The Treasury Department to-day, upon the
requlsition OF the Secretary OF the Navy, shipped
$230000 by express to Norfolk, Va, the headquar-
ters of the North Atlantic eet in order that there
might be no delay in fitting out and supplying with
all necessary stores the vessels now under orders
to leave, with the least possible delay,
for Cuba and other points In the West
Indies. Rear Admiral George H. Scott,
commanding the vessels Of this expedition, will
sail from Norfolk on Monday in the Worcester,
his flagship, for Havana. Specific instructions
have been given him by the government to report
daily to the department by telegraph from Key
West and not rely upon the Havana cable, which
Is under control OF the Spanish authorities. 1t Is
only eight hours run IRON Havana to Key West
with a fast tug or despatch boat, from which point
the kilograms will be started.
EFFICIENCY OF OUR NAVY.
Secretary Robson is well satisfied with the con-
diton OF the vessels Of our navy, and prominent
naval officers ioin with the Secretary In declaring
our absolute fitness to meet with the American
men-ofwar and iron-clads readily available, the
greatest emergency that may arise. SO far as
ordnance s cOncprnal the efficient
state, having on hand at the various navy yards
most OF the ordnance which armed our vessels
during the rebellion It consists OF 15 II and 9inch
guns-weapons OF a most formidable character.
THE AIM OF THE PRESIDENT.
While the President cannot declare war he Is de-
termlned to place the naval service OF the country
In such state OF efficiency that it may be ready
for immediate use should the present war cloud
assume such dimensions as to determine Congress
upon making a formal declaration. Should
rupture occur between the two gov
ernments, 1t win be the policy OF the
United States TO land sufficient force OF
men on the island Of Cuba, which can easily be
done under the protection OF our iron-cads and
other vessels OF war. 1t has been mentioned
by prominent Cabinet officer that 10000 men
would in all probability be in excess Of the number
OF troops required to establish beyond any
chance OF failure the authority OF the
United States in Cuba. This was not stated
as an official declaration, out as an incident
of conversation upon the absorbing topic. Mem
bers Of the Cabinet do not hesitate to express per-
sonal views as to their full endorsement OF the
general desire for fun reparation OF the outrages
upon citizens and insults to our flag; but to
the absolute intention OF the government not one
who has been approached this evening considers
himself at liberty. already indicated, to speak.
INDIGNATION IN THE CABINET.
Greater unanimity never characterized Cabinet
session than that OF to-day. Upon the rumors OF
additional outrages by the execution OF every man
on board the Virginius, the Cabinet shared the
feelings OF the community in general, and every
member gave some expression OF his feelings upon
the reported REPETITION OF the outrages. Rear Ad-
miral Scott, the present commander OF the
North Atlantic Squadron, is regarded as
in every way ut for that important trust.
The President. while he will guard to
the utmost extreme the rights of American
citizens, and defend the policy which has been
determined upon. will also make earnest recon-
mendations to Congress in his forthcoming Mes
sage. In October, 1872, Secretary Fish, in writing
to General Slckles, complaining Of the regulations
for the proceedings concerning sequestrated prop
erty in Cuba and the embargo confscation o
that island instructed him to present the griev-
ances ofwhich this government SO justly complained
to the Spanish government In q way which, with
out giving offence, will leave conviction that the
United States are in earnest in the expression OF
their views; that they expect redress, and that If
1t should not soon be Afforded Spain must not be
surprised to nnd as the inevitable result of the de-
lay, marked change in the feeling and IN the
temper of the people and Of the government Of the
United States. This change and temper are now
fully developed, consequent upon the additional
grievance attending the OF the virgnius and
the executions which SO swiftly followed.
THE MASSACRE OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND TEN NOT
VERIFIED.
The Secretary Of State has received no further
particulars OF the virginius massacre, with the
exception OF the despatch from Consul General
Hall, showing that the executions were precipl-
tated by the Spanish authorities at Santiago de
Cuba in order TO anticipate any interference on
the part OF the home government. Evidences ac-
cumuate upon these facts. Late this even
ing Official dispatches we're received from
Consul General Hall at Havana but they
contain no allusion whatever to any
further executions than those reported on the
mornings OF the 4th, 7th and Sth inst, and from
this it seems probable that there has been no
other executions. and the to that effect to-
day are believed to be unfounded. Consul General
Hall, however, experiences much difficulty in Oh.
tanning accurate Information from the Spanish au-
thorities. Minister Sickles was to have had a
consultation with the Spanish Minister OF
Foreign Affairs at Madrid yesterday after
noon at four O'Clock, but in consequence OF the
arrival in that city of the news OF further execu-
tons after the murder OF the first four prisoners,
the Spanish officials expressing intense regret and
horror at the circumstance. suggested to Minister
Sickes reasonable delay in holding the intended
council, and accordingly brief postponement has
been arranged.
AN INCORRECT IMPRESSION
has been circulated that Secretary Fish had as
serted that IN case the virginius was captured In
British waters 1t would be necessary for England ia
hold Spain responsible for the violatian OF her
jurisdiction and that this government would
make such requirement.. Such, however. is not
the case. The position OF Secretary Fish is to
hold Spain resOonslule for tho fncuit 20 ~,