The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-03 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

TIMES.—The designer fallen into the pit he digged
for others, "the engineer hoist with his own petard,"
the eagle slain by an arrow tipped with one of its
own feathers, are familiar instances of a poetical
justice not so common in actual life as it is in books,
but, when seen, always recognised with satisfaction.
Spain is just now in the unhappy position of a man
who, thinking to injure others, has forged weapons
for his own destruction, and gods and men must
view the spectacle with calmness, if not with appro-
bation. At the Congress of Paris the great Powers
assembled together agreed that among themselves
privateering was and should be thenceforth abo-
lished, and they invited other nations to give in
their adherence to the declaration. One by one they
testified their acceptance of this last convention of
international law, until at last Spain was left alone
among European Powers in refusing its concur-
rence. The practice which was voluntarily aban-
doned by the allies in the Russian war, and which
seemed to other nations too barbarous to be main-
tained in the nineteenth century, was tenaciously
insisted upon by the Spanish Government. Others
might foolishly give up such a useful weapon of
warfare, but Castilian honour refused to be bound
by their opinion, and Spain clung to privateering
the more vigorously the greater the authority grew
in favour of its abolition. And now Spain seems
doomed to suffer from the maintenance of the prac-
tice it held so dear. The weapon kept for its use
has turned to its destruction. Chili was one of the
first of American republics to assent to the abolition
of privateering, but the abolition was restricted to
wars between Powers which had accepted the
declaration of Paris. Spain refused, and against
Spain, therefore, privateering is still lawful. The
Chilian Government has accordingly, in a perfectly
legal way, issued instructions under which a fleet
of privateers will issue to prey upon Spanish com-
merce. From every point of the compass vessels
may be expected to appear bearing Chilian letters
of marque, and the probability seems to be that
Spanish merchantmen will at no distant period be
absolutely swept from the seas. We only hope that
the success of the Chilians hitherto, and the bright
prospects before them, will not induce the nation to
turn a deaf ear to overtures of peace. The capture
of the Covadonga excited them to the highest en-
thusiasm, and, if the reported capture of another
Spanish vessel of war in Chilian waters prove cor-
rect, it is probable that by this time their exultation
is unbounded. The latest advices from San Fran-
cisco tell us, moreover, what in itself is highly pro-
bable, that the blockade of the Chilian ports was to
be forthwith raised, in order that the Spanish fleet
might prevent Peru from making common cause
with the neighbouring Republic. The Chilians
have hitherto had it all their own way in their con-
test with Spain. The arbitrary and unjust treat-
ment to which they were subjected at the outset
secured for them the sympathy of Europe and Ame-
rica, and by their gallantry they have obtained a
considerable advantage in the single naval encoun-
ter which has since taken place. There can be no
doubt which of the two combatants has the better
prospects in a war of privateering. When hostili-
ties are carried on by ships commissioned with let-
ters of marque, Providence is on the side of the
longest purses, and we have on the one hand Chili
wealthy and in good credit, and on the other Spain
bankrupt at home, and dishonoured abroad. A
very short time will enable the Chilian Government
to commission such a fleet of privateers that
Spanish commerce will be impossible, and the very
vessels of war of the enemy will be in danger of
being captured singly, like the Covadonga. Nor
can neutral nations object to such action on the
part of Chili. The instructions which the Chilian
Government has published for the guidance of its
privateers are scrupulously careful of neutral inte-
rests. The privateers are forbidden from com-
mitting any act of hostility in neutral waters.
They are forbidden from capturing neutral goods
found in the enemy's ships, contraband of war alone
excepted. They are also forbidden from capturing
enemy's goods, with the same exception, if found in
neutral bottoms ; and the articles which are to be
deemed contraband of war are carefully enumerated.
The manner of exercising the right of visitation is
rigidly explained, and the privateers of the Republic
are reminded that in order that their prizes may be
valid and legal they may be declared such by a
proper authority. In short, the instructions issued
by the Chilian Minister of Marine, and since widely
circulated in the United States, recognise the ex-
treme right of neutrals, and it is quite evident that
their publication forebodes a new and more active
phase of the war. Let neutral Governments be as
careful of their neutrality as they can, and as we
have no doubt they will be, they will find it difficult
to prevent privateers from issuing from their perts
in the service of one or the other belligerent., and it
may be feared that the war itself will only stop from
the exhaustion of the combatants. The present is
just the situation in which a more active mediation
than has hitherto been attempted should be pressed
both upon Spain and Chili. It is true that Spain
has accepted the good offices of the Western Powers,
and it is to be hoped that Chili may show a similar
willingness to listen to suggestions of peace ; but
good offices mean nothing more than a power of ad-
vising each belligerent, and the privilege of acting
as a voluntary mediator between them. There is
reason to think that more than this might be ac-
ceptel, and there is, at all events, reason why more
should be attempted. The chronic embarrassment
of Spanish finances has at length reached such a
condition that some vigorous measures must be
adopted merely to keep up the machinery of the
Government, and it is impossible to do anything
effectual if peace be not first secured. The death of
Admiral Parejahas been a severe blow to the Spanish
cause in the Pacific, and there is not wanting evi-
dence that- Marshal O'Donnell would willingly
retire from a dangerous, if not an untenable, po-
sition. The more moderate organs of the Govern-
ment are instructed to palliate the loss of the
Covadonga, and the people are represented as hav-
ing recovered from the violent ebullition of feeling
which the news of her capture first excited. Add
the probable mischief of a privateering war, the
alarm already manifested by the Catalan Deputies,
the present danger shown by the fact that the Cuban
mail packet has been sent under the escort of an
armed frigate, and the inference is irresistible that
on the part of Spain everything points to the possi-
bility of an acceptance of arbitration and the re-
establishment of peace. There ought to be no
reason why Chili should be less compliant. Chili
may at any time suspend hostilities with honour.
The material loss of the Republic has been trifling,
and her moral gain has been enormous. The in-
jurious demands at first made upon her were re-
pelled with dignity, and the more recent active
hostilities have been met with spirit. Although
taken at a disadvantage, the Republic has not
been unsuccessful in defence, and the sympathy of
free opinion throughout the world has been freely
given to the victim of wanton aggression. If Chili
prove as easily appeased now as she was easily
aroused at a threat of danger, the moderation and
temper of the nation wilj have earned for her a
position which her previous prosperity never ac-
quired. What has already happened gives some
warrant for believing this to be possible; and it is
the duty of all neutral nations, when such a
favourable opportunity is offered for their action, to
intervene and assist a conclusion which is probably
desired in secret by each belligerent.

THE " ANGLO-AMERICAN TIMES" ON A GOLDEN
FIELD FOR INVESTMENT.—EngIishmen are greatly
exercised at the colossal proportions of the
United States debt. Some are wont to point
at it as an element of weakness, and confidently
predict eventual repudiation ; while others do
not go so far as to call in question America's
good faith, but confine their doubts to antici-
pating trouble in the collection of the Federal
taxes. According to the former class—which, if not
the more numerous, certainly possesses the greater
influence—everything connected with the United
States rests upon an insecure foundation ; and
Englishmen are almost daily warned by its organs
and representatives to avoid American securities,
and to be more cautious than ever in commercial
transactions with citizens of the Republic. These
misgivings were but seldom heard prior to the re-
bellion ; and. it is only fair to credit their existence
to the newly-created debt and consequent increase
in taxation, combined with the temporary cessation
of the Southern cotton supply. Unworthy motives
we certainly do not wish to impute, for a man would
scarcely be worth reasoning with who dared assert
that American misfortune would at all conduce to
English prosperity. These critics and censors do not
evince any remarkable acquaintance with the
history of their own country in thus attempting
to prejudice the United States on the score of the
national liabilities. England's debt is larger than
America's, but it is less than it was twenty years
ago. Again, England's annual taxation is. consi-
derably greater in gross amount than in 1846 ; but
if we take the value of property in the United
Kingdom at the present time and compare it ivith
the official returns at the above-mentioned period,
we discover that the rate of taxation, per head, is
much more easily borne in 1866 than in 1846, or
intermediate years. Two causes have conduced to
this result ; namely, increase of population, and
enormous development of trade and resources ; and
if these influences have proved so beneficial to
Great Britain, surely they will produce a still
greater effect in a country whose resources are as yet
but little developed, and the population of which
increases at a far higher ratio than has hitherto
been known in the history of mankind. In
past years the main staple of the United States,
so far as European nations were concerned, was
cotton ; and the South possessed every advantage in

1,..."'

tidal streams and numerous harbours for bringing
that staple to market. But the Southern Stain
sn
are far from possessing equal advantages i
an agricultural point of view with the North-
Western States ; and the products of the latter
section are, to say the least, quite as much required
in Europe as the Southern staple. Since the repeal
of the Corn-laws in this country, Great Britain has
not merely looked to foreign nations for a consi-
derable proportion of her cereals, but she has like-
wise acted as purveyor, or factor, in grain to other_
peoples. A few years ago Russia was the chief
source of supply to Great Britain, whether for home,
Uniteo.
consumption or for exportation ; but the
States eventually took precedence of her, and lonia
the united
hNaovecorhethatirnyedcathhatpopsossibitliyoncobmutpefoter til:iethlate rebellion!
States in production of the necessaries of life;
grain and provisions ; for the Republic possess, „
greater area and a better climate • all things ta""
into consideration, it is nearer the' English markets
and Englishmen assuredly will not gainsay Or
that the Union is re-established on surer founaa;
tions than heretofore) that American institutioln
and laws guarantee a greater commercial
than those of Russia or any other nation in Conitalt
nental Europe. America possesses, in fine, all ;
will enable her to become the granary of the worit_e
teo.
and yet she is not sending at the present time r
than from two to three per cent: of her produce
it to
foreign markets, and scarcely one per cent. of_
England. Let us instance the State of Illinois as.,e:
Or
sample of the agricultural capabilities of the N
West. The .present population of Illinois LSI 1U
round numbers 2,250,000 ; and although its eaPad':
security
city for production is not yet one quarter develota
the inhabitants of New York city, rhiladelP Plaits
Baltimore, and Pittsburgh could not consul:Dei-L.
excess of produce in grain, cattle, and hogs•
nois can abundantly feed fifteen millions of peoP."ni
yet Illinois is only a small area in the Misits,,Pre..
Valley, and will probably be surpassed in Prten
tiveness by the State of lowa within the flex' „„
years. We need not, however, talk of what
be, while an irrefragable argument can be bs'of
upon that which already exists. The pop e,
the agricultural section of the Union is, sparse_A, „-es
ceedingly sparse, and the means of getting prow•„
to market are very limited; yet the supply of the
necessaries of life so greatly exceeds the consul;
tion that Western farmers are burning wheatille
their houses and maize on their locomotives, as t"
cheapest obtainable fuel, while thousands of mien,
women, and children in Europe are absolutely.stat'i;
ing. The question of transportation,—of brin„,gev to
immense produce of the great Mississippi v °""' the
the markets of the world,—is the question of
0.
day in the Western States. All issues give PI d
dence to it; and we are not, therefore, surpfin..
that the farmers of Illinois, lowa, Wisconsin, 13ther.
nesota, and the North-Western States are ga' re-
ing themselves together to protest against the Ping.
sent enormous charges for freights, and disciss of
the possibility of opening up additional lines
as
communication with the seaboard. Such facts
the following speak for themselves 311;.,e.1nce)
of Illinois, corn is selling at ten cents (rive,r es
per bushel, whilst, through want of sufficienv trat
at
Chicago, the principal city of the State.
portation, it commands four times that araenn.n, it
Aig.fialiteen
costs at the present time two dollars anu :do-
cents per 1001bs. to get a bale, or case, of ineV it is
disc from Chicago to New York city* an,," the
obvious that such an ex6rbitant tax rural
f armer must necessarily paralyze arc large
industry throughout a region which r the
enough and fertile enough to 0113140nare
whole of Europe with food. Western ntrges
unanimously protesting against the present %tiler
for transportation demanded by railway an," yeas
companies, but the corporations in ClUeStlolllll/tryis
obvious answer to these complaints. The cosines of
too extensive and prolific for the existing j;Tcayst
inter-communication; and were the roads, existing
and canals trebled in number, it is doubtful 1%1031
they would be sufficient to carry off tbe.,,Ttnte,
excess of produce in the North-West. .11-f the
e
however, has placed the magnificent Valley
lantic ;
Mississippi within close proximity to th
ittthat
and railroads can never entirely supersede
counner
natural and inexpensive highway of cote.
water. Not even the region of the Amazon ca union
pare with the Western States ofthe Amerio,Tl,:ceor
in facilities for getting produce to market. 11',
bined glories of the Amazon and Mississippi rAeocis
with all the mighty streams which pour their that
into those capacious channels, pale beforeth,
wondrous chain of lakes which cleaves the I%e the
ern Continent from its centre almost to
re.a
very ocean. Almost ! Man can finish N,41010
• unfinished work, and will. The farmers, e'Laki3
Western States are now preparing to join' Ship
Erie to the St. Lawrence by digging an oeanete
Niagara round the Falls of Niara ; and thus, of
long, ships of heavy tonnage will reach the ports of
Europe from Chicago and the uttermost litnilacl
the Lake Superior. Where can Englishmen taint
such a field for the investment of capital as
Tiies
exuberantly fertile region between the Allegh3;cs
and Rocky Mountains ? Millions of virgin- 3-hot
are there inviting husbandmen ; rivers wait te
joined to lakes, lakes to the ocean. The
the netting together of these natural lines a co to
,
munication with the outer world means wealth
Americans, the certainty of acquitting their 01-I!igt
a,
tions, and the early obliteration of their nti°,,3o3
debt. But to Englishmen and Europeans it
more—it means all sufficient food for their P,erfr',sll
ing millions, and an ever enlarging market '°;ibe
the manufactures they can possibly produce. d to
Eternal Father has given this fruitful lam de,
Americans in trust for all his children. InP,thele
men, women, and children are starving; Ye": 94'
is corn in Egypt!" Merchants ! capitalists •
lishmen ! will you not go and fetch it ?