910


FOREIGN RELATIONS


of vessels, which we have not, was indispensahie, in order to be constantly
lend-
ing protection to the coastwise traffic, and preventing contraband of war
and -of
clothes and tobacco, which is carried oni through Vinaroz, Benicarlo, San
Carlos de la
Rdpita, Ampolla, Atmella, and other places on the coast.
  The San Antonio is at Alicante; a small transport of 600 tons and 90 horse-power,
built to carry the mail to Fernando P6o and now turned into a cruiser, to
the dis-
credit of our honor before foreigners, who see that we make use of such vessels
for
purposes of war; although it is true that we have the tow-boats of Ferrol
firing upon
Zaranz and other points of the Cantabrian coast.
  At Carthagena, a naval station, there is on service the mystii Isabelita,
which is a
transport much smaller than many of the laumihes carried now-a-days by iron-plated
vessels. To place this little boat in the squadron of our forces in the Mediterranean
is somewhat ridiculous.
  The Liniers, at Almeria, we presume is-destined for the prevention of smuggling,
although also of little use forthis purpose, as it is a small side-wheel
steamer, with
two cannon, and of 147 horse-power; slow, twenty-eight years in service,
and with
very old engines. We can say the same of the Alerta, which is at Malaga,
of less power
and more years than the former, with two cannon, and very slow. The Vulcano
is at
Cadiz, a side-wheel steamer, built in 1846, of 200 horse-p ower and six cannon,,
destined,
we believe, to the prevention of smuggling ; for as a vessel of war she is
worthless.
  If from the south we pass to the north, we observe that all the means of
vigilance
of which we have been able to dispose, for a coast so extensive and of such
special
conditions as the Cantabrian, are reduced to the schooners Consuelo and Prosperidad,
of two cannon each, the first with engine of 200 and the second of 80 horse-power;
the Leon, with-side-wheels, of 230 horse-power, engines very old, and of
little speed;
and the gun-boats Gaditano and Ferrolano, and someý other little steamboat
armed for
war. These are all the vessels which have to guard an extensive hostile coast,
by
which the Carlists have received so muc-ih help for a year past.
  Neither the iron-clad frigates IwhichJwe count, nor the magnificent ones
of wood
which we possess, can be employed at the north for what we need there. The
Blanca
was for a few days between Santander and Portugalete, and was obliged to
go to Fer-
rol to save herself from shipwreck. Another class of vessels is needed for
such
cruisers, but unfortunately we lack them, after having spent in the increase
of the
navy fabulous hundreds of millions, (rs. vn.) The same happens to us in Cnba
and
the Philippine Islands, notwithstanding the sadly-celebrated gunboats which
were
built in the United States, and are to be found almost useless at the arsenal
of Ha-
vana.


                                   iNo. 576.

                          Mr. Fish to Mr. Cushing.
No. 61.]                                DEPARTTMENT OF STATE,
                                             Washington, August 27, 1874.
   SIR: I acknowledge the receipt of your interesting dispatch of the
30th ultimo, No. 66, in relation to the possibility of European interven-
tion in the affairs of Spain.   It confirms accounts which have reached
this country of atrocities 4n warfare which seem      incredible in the nine-
teenth century, which are without excuse or palliation, and a continuance
of which would be degrading to human nature.
       I am, &c.,
                                                     HAMILTON FISH.


                                   No. 577.

                          Mr. Cushing to Mr. Fish.

No. 86.]                        LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
                   Madrid, August 27, 1874. (Received September 16.)
  SIR: The recent conscription in Spain is now substantially completed,
and, according tocurrent calculations, will yield an additional force of
at