The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-23

his colleagues fancy that they have effected a
masosr stroke Of policy by committing the
French Emperor to the protection of their ter
ritory from Carlist invasion. 1t is only, how
ever, repetition o.. the old story of the lion
lying down W til the lamb The state of Spain
offers too close an analogy to that in which it
stood in 1908 for an ambitious ruler like Louis
Napoleon to neglect the chances which it pre-
sents to him. The plan of an Iberian kingdom
will be revived, not for the benefit of the strip
ling who wears the crown of Portugal, as was
lately stated, but for that Of some more ener-
getic scion of the Bonaparte family. 1t was
the irreconcilable feuds that DISTRACTED the
then reigning dynasty of Spain, that afforded
the first Napoleon pretext for his forcible
substitution of his own family for them. The
irreconcilable discussions of the political par
ties that now divide that unhappy country
will no doubt furnish his successor with an
excuse for the repetition of so instructive and
edifying political lesson.
The defence of Cuba against oil attempts at
annexation or separate independence consti-
tutes, as may be supposed, one of the main in
ducements to the Spanish, as well as to the
allied governments, to enter into this treaty.
When the latter failed to anticipate the future
action of this country by the proposal of a
tripartite treaty to guarantee the possession of
Cuba to Spain, they sought to effect their
views in reference to that island by working
on the fears of the Spanish government. The
declarations of Lord Clarendon in Parliament,
and Of Louis Napoleon at the Guildhall, in
London, showed plainly that what they could
not effect in direct way they would endeavor
to accomplish in some other manner. The
condition of Spain has, unhappily, afforded
them a favorable opportunity for now carry
ing out their designs but whether those de-
signs have not been altered by circumstances,
and taken a wider range than was at first con-
templated, remains to be seen. From the
terms Of the proposed treaty We are strongly
inclined TO suspect that such is the fact. If
she suffers Louis Napoleon to prosecute; unn-
terrupted, his designs against Spain, England
will naturally look for her fair share Of the
spoils. What more acceptable guild pro quo can
be offered to a Power holding large colonies
in the West Indies than the cession Of an island
Of such dangerous contiguity to them rs Cuba?
To prevent the Americans from obtaining pos
session Of this coveted prize, England would
cheerfully sacrifice her favoritc theory of the
European equilibrium Such have, undoubt-
eddy, been the necessities and the motives Of
this project Of alliance on the part Of both
England and France Are the Spanish nation
SO abject in spirit, and so lost to all sense Of
patriotism, as to sanction the infamous COM
pact by which their government has sold them
to its fears? Whatever may be the result Of
the decision Of the Cortes with regard to it,
Of one thing both England and France may rest
assured, that the project is one that will tend
to strengthen any sympathies that nay exist
in this country for the cause Of Russia.