Year: 1873




The orders lately issued by the War Department
for placing our sea coast deences in readiness for
action have been repeated, and In Of greater
urgency than before. Within . few days the
Engineer Bureau will know the exact condition and
capabilities of the works at each port, as basis
for such additional strengthening as may be posi-
BILE within the time left for further improvement
in the means Of defence.


RUSH OF DISPATCHES


the State Department there has been great ac-
tivlty. The correspondence has required clerical
labor reaching late into the night. voluminous
dispatches to and from the Secretary preceded
the arrival OF Admiral PoIo with whom Mr. Fish
held long conference to-day after the breaking
up Of the Cabinet session, and more dispatches
followed the Minister'S departure.


THE QUESTION PRESENTED TO THE CABINET BY


SECRETARY FISH.


The Cabinet meeting was almost wholly occupied
with the Cuban question, the present aspects of
which were presented in paper read by the
Secretary Of State and followed by further ex-
planatory remarks.


DIRECT INTERVENTION NOW NECESSARY.


The situation is now said to be graver and more
complicated than ever and resort to direct In
terventlon in Cuban affairs by this govern
ment more necessary and imminent than
at any previous stage of the double
insurrection in the island. The stability
of the CASTELAR, government is declared to be highly
questionable from the tenor of the dispatches
from Madrid, and as consequence. the
prospect Of q brief and isolated contest
with the Havanese is at this moment lessened.
Yet, even If 1t wlthstands the shock to which
1t will be exposed from the reaction of
the popular tumult OF Havana at Madrid, there
are serious apprehensions that the in
ability OF the Spanish authorities at Havana
to control the popuiace there will result in their
speedy abdicaton or deposition. and the island
Will be thus left without any responsible govern
ment whatever.


NAVAL FORCE NECESSARY FOR HAVANA.


But whether the Spanish authority stands or
falls it is that unless there be speedy SUBJ
sidence OF the passions OF the Havanese, Ameri-
can lives and property at Havana will be in
great danger of lawless outrage, winch can
only be held in check or suppressed by
the presence Of an adequate American naval force
in the harbor. Every effort is to be made to con-
centrate such a force at the earliest moment
Such is understood to have Deen among the
chief determinations OF the Cabinet to-day.
Unless there should be material increase of the
dangerous symptoms reported by the press de-
spatches and by Consul General Hall, it is thought
that the vessels and the strong marine
guards on board OF them will constitute
sufficient force for present purposes;
transports and send over military force as an
auxiliary to the navy.


NO NEED OF VOLUNTEERS YET.


If our government succeeds in it's efforts to
surgent Span:ards, anoat or ashore, there
are hopes that the affair may be
carried through by the employment OF
the regular forces, and without resort to the
calling out Of volunteers. Bnt If unsuccessful in
thus combining its operations, and the govern
ment is forced to meet the whole
power of Spain, the use OF volunteers be-
comes highly probable, although General
Sherman is understood to adhere to his recent
preference for carrying up the strength of the
companies of the regular army to q war standard
as the best, cheapest and most expeditions moue
Of organizing an army Of occupation for Cuba.


FUTURE OF THE ISLAND.


Beyond all these questions OF the moment lies
the important question OF the future OF Cuba ITSELF
and this. as already reported in these dispatches
has been virtually settled, so far at
least as concerns its general features
The determination of the administration
take possession OF the island, we are not to leave
it till every question now outstanding has been
settled In a manner satisfactory to our honor and
our interests.


PROTECTION TO A CUBAN GOVERNMENT.


IF the present liberal government at Madrid
survives our Intervention in Cuba and remains ef.
fective for the work OF immediate pacifcation and
reform BY humane and peaceful methods, the po-
ltical sovereignty Of Spain will be respected by the
United States but II the contrary prove to
be the case, as seems to be the
onicla belief here, 1t will be our duty and policy to
recognize and indefinitely protect such govern
ment as the Cubans can form for themselves.
CUBAN INDEPENDENCE AND ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.
The most satisfactory assurances arising out OF
the present situation are that the crisis forced upon
our Dy the Havanese insures the certain
and speedy end OF the insurrection In manner
favorable to the Cuban patriots, and the equally
certain and speedy freeing OF the slaves. No at
tempts are made by the highest officials OF the
government to conceal, either their determina-
ton or their satisfaction that bloodshed and
slavery are to cease through our own justihable
acts.


THE WAR NEWS AND PUBLIC