New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-19

REAL CHARACTER OF THE SPANISH REPLI'
THE TEXT NOT RECEIvED-TIE TONE AMICABLs AND
! sATIsFACToRY-THE CUBAN BOND RiSG-sk-
CRECY MAINTAINED AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT
FIVE IRON-CLADs ORDERED TO NORFOLK.
iBr TgLEGRAPn rhn TnIBUsT
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1S.-The text of the diplo-
matte note Minister Cushing recently presented to
the Spanish Government in relation to the treaty Oh
1895, and the observance of its provisions in Cuba,
has not yet been received at the State Department.
so that all pretended abstracts of its contents OF re-
views of its arguments which have been sent from
Washington are TO say the least, inaccurate. 1t Is
true that Secretary Fish has received from Minister
Cushing a dispatch announcing the receipt of the
Spanish reply, and describing it as smicabie and
satisfactory" but it is not true that Mr. Cushing
has teiegraphed the State Department that Spain In
her note maintains the right of using courts
martial TO try offenders against her laws
when such offenders are American citizens, or
makes the concession" which would not be con-
cesslon at ALL it is provided for in the treaty OF
1875 that American citizens tried IN Spanish courts
may have their advocates or attorneys and produce
witnesses in their own behalf Spain has not nam
tanned this right, and has not therefore cited IN
support Of her position this point the example OF
the United States subsequent to the of the re-
belion nor that of France after the triumph of the
Republic over the Paris Commune. The simple truth
is that almost since he arrived IN Spain Minister
Cushing has been negotiating with the Spanish Gov
eminent in relation to the strict Observance OF the
treaty IT 1875, and the Interpretation OF certain
sections of it, keeping in view all the time
tho desire % our Government TO secure
modification of that treaty, should 1t be possible,
so as to make it conform more nearly with
those which have subsequently been negotatedwith
other European countries. 1t cannot be learned
that any threats have been made on either side nor
has anything serious occurred to endanger the
friendly relations between thu two countries.
As is well known there is in this country ring of
spectators in Cuban bonds having its headquarters
in Washington, and the members Of this ring seize
upon every little incident that can be made pre-
tense for creating excitement Oh the Cuban question:
from which they hope to reap golden harvest
The report of pending negotiations between the two
countries has given them their latest opportunity
and they have been making the most of It, Their
organ in this city in its issue of this morning was
full of detached editorial quotations from Secretary
Fish's letter of instruction to Minister Cush-
ing, published a year ago and now re-
printed in form intended to excite and
mislead its readers If it represented the President
in this matter, it sometimes does in Others the
reader would conclude from its tone that Gen. Grant
contemplated recommending the recognition of the
But that journal in this case does not speak for the
President, though it may be working in the personal
interest of some who unfortunately his friends.
The last Spanish note when il becomes generally
known that in its tone and substance it is amcabe,
and satisfactory to Minister Gushing, Secretary Fish,
and the President, will probably quiet for a time
these chronic Cuban agiaors, although the country
NAV expect to hear from them again the first time
they can find pretense for starting their exciting
stories.
The Navy Department has meanwhile surrounded
its movements with greater mystery than ever.
Strict orders issued to-day by the Secretary of
the Navy forbdding the publication Of the assign
ments Of the orders of any officer, aud special in
functions were laid upon all persons connected with
that Department from disclosing any information
concerning naval movements or naval orders. Some
of the more important preparatory orders We're yes
terday countermanded, but tho orders made to-day
indicate that part at least of what seems to have
been the original programmes is TO be carried out.
Five of the best iron-clads in the service have
been ordered to assemble at Norfolk. These five
vessels are all to be supplied with a full
complement of experienced officers and made ready
it is supposed, for any emergency. These nVe IRON
clads are the Catskill Lehgh, Montauk, Nahant, and
Passaic They are all vessels of the same grade
having one turret aud carrying two 15-inch guns
The necessary officers have already nearly ali Deen
assigned TO the Catskill, the Lehigh and the Mon
tank. None of these assignments have been made
public and their publication is forbidden. The two
remaining iron-clads at the rendezvous at Norfolk
will, it is expected, be Immediately supplied with
officers. These are i've Of the twelve iron-clads
which are alone available, or which could be
made available for active service for a
long time. The other available iron-clads
are the Ajax, Canoncus, Mahopac, and Saugus at
Ncw-Orleans, which part of the squadron or
dered TO Cuban waters during the Virginius excite
ment the Coroanche and nOnadnock at Mare
Island on the Pacific Coast, the Dictator at Hilton
Head, and the Roanoke at New-fork, which Is
three tnrreted, and available only for harbor de-
fense There are - ron-clad vosscl5 the roster
but of the entire list only the II above named
Immediately available for active service. The
greater portion of the 53 can never again be used
for sea service although some OF them can be fitted
up for harbor defense.