The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-19 00:00:00

THE BOMBARDMENT OF VALPARAISO.

The Liverpool Post gives an account of an indig-
nation meeting held in that port with reference to
the late bombardment of Valparaiso. Our con-
temporary thinks that whatever was the cause, the
bombardment seems to have been in perfect ac-
cordance with the laws of nations. Except in re-
ference to the destruction of property, the Spaniards
avoided doing anything that would destroy human
life. The objects of destruction were public build-
ings ; and previous to the bombardment a notice of
four days was given, in order that individuals might
remove themselves and their property beyond the
range of the guns. At present this is the extent of
the precise information. The imputations cast
upon .the British authorities by the New York:
Herald are not to be received unconfirmed. We
may rest assured that the Admiral never gave the
promise alleged ; and we may also rest assured that
his instructions were to act in reference to strict
neutrality. Great efforts were made to avert the
calamity, such as it was ; and very possibly the
Chilians were obstinate in refusing to accept condi-
tions, because they were under the belief that the
protest of the representatives of all nations, as well
as of the English and American residents, would
deter the Spanish Admiral from carrying his threat
into execution. The authorities in Valparaiso may
have deceived themselves, and acted on the per-
suasion that their personal property was not in
danger, but that the property bf other nations WAS
in danger, believing mistakenly that at the last
moment the English and American fleets would
interpose and save the city from a bombardment.
This supposition, however, will not justify the con..
duct of Spain in making an attack upon an enemy
utterly devoid of all power of resistance or of re-
taliation. The Post thinks that the British Govern-
ment also stands exposed to much blame. Co-ope-
rating with France and the United States it could
have brought influence to bear upon the Court of
Madrid which would no doubt have dissuaded it
from pursuing a quarrel which could result in no
benefit, much less lead to glory. We ought not,
however, to forget that soon after the commence-
ment of the dispute the Cotirt of Spain referred the
question to England and France, promising to abide
by their decision. At this moment we are not in
possession of what the French or English Govern-
ments did
to o r
presumew het whether
that they didu anything;dd no t
butaccept
axe bound
thee
mediation, and that, therefore, no further notice
-was taken of hostile proceedings. British diplomacy,
unfortunately, concerns itself with large affairs
only ; the obscure Governments on the West Coast
are too insignificant to warrant a display of power
which could be exercised with dignity only in Paris,
Berlin, and Vienna. One consequence of this ab-
staining from a duty which greatly concerns the
trade of the country has been the perpetual com-
plaints of British subjects against
the Peruvian and
other Southern States. Nothing is done, simply,
perhaps, because the feebleness of these pre übhcs
was of such a nature as to excite only a palpable
indifference. Seeing, however, that Spain held a
different opinion respecting the potency of Chili, our
Government was certainly wrong in permitting the
quarrel to mature into danger, without at least
warning our merchants trading to the West Coast
to look to their own interest, as the Government
would not interfere if their persons or property were
expose I to the eventualities of war.

--
LONDON GAZETTE.--Last Evening.

FOREIGN-OFFICE, MAY 10.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint
Christian William Lawrence, Esq., now a Third Secretary,
to be a Second Secretary in hor Majesty's Diplomatic
Service.

MAY 12.

The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint
Edmund Douglas Veitch Fane, Esq., now a Third Secre-
tary, to be a Second Secretary in her Majesty's Diplo-
matic Service.