The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-23
Hostile Demonstration or England Against
Mexico-Santa Annals Tripartats League.

OF the Bible and Christianity.
Hostile Demonstration or England Against
Mexico-Santa Annals Tripartats League.
We published some days ago telegraphic
communication stating that the British vessels of
war on the West Indian stations had received or
ders to rendezvous off the coast of Mexico, but
with what object was not then known. Ia another
column will be found letter from our Havana
correspondent, which gives the clue to this move
ment. The British government has, it seems, de-
cided on enforcing the claims of the Mexican
bcndholders against Mexico, and compelling the
latter to liquidate them forthwith.
In order to arrive at the motives Of proceed
ing 50 inopportane and so ungenerous in the pre-
sent position of Mexican affairs it will be useful
TO reeapitulate the steps previously taken by
Spain to obtain from Comonlorts government a
settlement Of certain claims preferred against it
by Spanish residents in Mexico. Contempora-
neously with the despatch of squadron from
Cuba 10 Vera Cruz new Minister, Senior Alva
req, was sent out from Madrid to the Mexican GO
vernnent, with full powers TO treat for the ar
rangement Of these obligations. General Comon-
fort, with the dignity and irmness which mark all
his acts, very properly refused to receive or TO
enter into negotiations with the Spanish envoy
until the Spanish fleet was Withdrawn.
Finding the President inaexble upon this
point, Alvarez gave directions to the fleet to re-
tire and in the course Of few interviews sue
ceeded in settling the disputed claims, as it was
then hoped to the mutual satisfaction of both
governments. Every one in fact, thought that
The affair was defnitively settled, and that de-
monstTation SO embarrassing and dishonoring to
the Mexican republic in the present crisis Of its
affairs would be attended with no further incon-
venient results. In the Gace,d OF Madrid, OF the
26th Of August last, however, there appeared
decree, signed by the Queen, destituting Senior
Alvarez from bis functions as Minister Plenipo-
Tertiary TO Mexico, and recalling him home. This
scuryy treatment Of an agent who, it was sup
posed, had done his government signal service
in the settlement Of this question, naturally ex-
cited good deal of establishment; and it was not
until the Jo,1nal OF Madrid published an expla-
nation fthe facts that it was known that the Ma
drid Cabinet intended by it to formally disavow
the acts Of its representative, for having made
concessions alleged to be incompatible with the
national pride and Just rights Of Spain.
It's original intention Of enforcing these claims
at time when the position in which Comoncort's
government stood demanded al the forbearance
lat could be shown Il oyc;tcd against Spain the
indignant comments The civilized world. AMI
is still more cxraordinary conduct in disavow-
Ing tie ac's of its agent and renewing It's former
demand did not of course tend to appease the
feelings 81 displeasure with which that step was
viewed both here and in Europe. II was dill
cult to conceive the motives that could have in.
dUenced this singular proceeding, unless, indeed
as was suggested at the time, it formed part OF
concerted plan with England and France to car
~ ont certain designs which those nations had
'ong been Jointly prosecuting in regard TO
Mexico
The announcement that Great Britain has taken
steps TO enforce the claims Of tue Mexican bond
holders, and i about 10 send a squadron to Vera
Cruz, goes far to confirm this supposition. These
claims as our readers are aware, have long
been in virtual allegiance, and during the govern
ment Of Santa Anna who showed himself in all
things subseryient to the policy OF England and
France. no violent measures were resorted to to
obtain q settlement Of them The fact that the
success Of Comonfort's government will give
death blow to the hopes Of that policy seems
to be the only ground for this illiberal and I'm.
generous step on the part Of England. A const- |
tutional government like that of the latter was
peculiarly bound 10 respect the efforts made by
Mexico TO restore order TO her affairs and to re
cover her national independence. That she has
departed from course so consistent with her po-
litical professions and which is likely to bring her
policy into discredit is proof that the object
Of her present demonstration against that coun-
Try is dictated by the most selfish and unworthy
motives
We presume that the excuse which will be |
offered for this proceeding viii be some such jus /!
tiiicaiiqg Is tia. set forth in the legal opinion
obtained from DR.. Phillmore by the Spanish bond |
holders. in the case of the Venezuelan claims |
Notwithstanding the arguments OF the learned |
jurisconsnlt as well as those Of Lord Palmers- |
tons famous circular Of 1sIs. it will take some
thing to convince the world that this Is the op |
portunity for enforcing such demands against
people who arc engaged in a last and desperate
fH1Ii W NHdhN WI thS WHICH
have destroyed their liberties
What does our government intend to do in the
matter? II should at once demand the real object
OF these formidable demonstrations against a sister
republic, in whose independence Of foreign inter
vention We have almost as great an interest a.
that Of our own II the motive had been merely
the settlement Of these claims they could have
been more easily effected 10y the arbitration Of o
third Power-say Of this country than by this
violent alternative. such being tho fact, We are
justified Ii demanding from the British govern
ment IL reasons for this display Of force a
Mexico. n The meanwhile it becomes the duty
Of Our Cabinet to despatch the Wabash anl tie
whole Home squadron, TO Vera Cruz 10 watch
the movements Of the English fleet now concen-
trating at that port